Job Uniquiness, how?

[Choc]

Im sorry OP but its a change that must happen. I felt that this system was going to be questionable from the start. I know everyone whines about certain classes being required but there isnt any way around that without having all classes be the same.

Often times its because its hard to find a healer class (white mage) so you cant create a group, but without a healer you cant do much. So people want a system where a healer isnt needed, but then why would anyone play a healing class? More often than not this is the example used as healing isnt a popular choice, but how exactly does it work the other way around? Should mages be able to tank difficult enemies because they cant find one or dont want to play one? If they could why would anyone want to play as a tank?

In the end everyone would end up just playing dmg classes that have a multitude of heals/buffs that are only slightly less effective than the class using them.

Take healing for example in this game. Its dumbed down to the point where most people have at least a mildly effective heal, and we only have 2 heals in the game (1 for each mage) and neither really separates itself from the other. Since theres no downside to having AOE turned on healers are forced to leave aoe on and use the same spell over and over and over and over. I think its like this to prevent all classes from having tons of different heals they could all just spam.

Everyone talks about making your own class, but thats not how it works now. Everyone takes a few useful abilities from each class and everyone ends up the same. You dont see many mages using skewer or moonrise do you? How many warriors start casting thunder and fire?

How do you make a system where using a skill on a cross-class isnt as effective as the class its intended for but still make it worth your time?

[TomCarroll]

How do you make a system where using a skill on a cross-class isnt as effective as the class its intended for but still make it worth your time?

Right on, man. There are two major issues that'll come up that everyone seems to be overlooking.

1. The strong desire to not be "cookie-cutter" is baseless. There will always be clear "bests" no matter what happens. Your class can't be too unique if everyone is building him the same.

2. As a result of needing all of these skills to be a viable contender in either endgame or whatever, you'll need to invest an ungodly amount of time ranking up as many other classes at it'll take you to develop your repertoire of abilities.

I like the idea of being able to take certain abilities, but the devs are going to end up alienating more people who can't invest the same time as the hardcore players. Right now, the push is for more subscribers, not to keep the stragglers from launch happy.