Balance, Homogenisation and Encounter Design: The Problem.

[CapricaLangley]

I don't know if anyone else addressed this point yet, but I'm going to since I'm starting to see a lot of people bring this up: Having every DPS class deal approximately the same damage (i.e. balancing) is NOT homogenization. Period.

Except this definition is incorrect and doesn't apply to the matter: homogenisation happens through giving every class similar tools to achieve the same results. All tanks learning a -30% at level 38 (Vengeance, Nebula, Shadow Wall and Sentinel) is a perfect example of how the homogenisation process works in a MMO. It has nothing to do with the actual rotations, those will (hopefuly) always retain their (small) differences. Homogenisation resides in the loss of enmity control skills, in ranged DPS having a damage reduction CD which doesn't stack (Trobadour, Tactician, Shield Samba), it's hidden in every melee DPS focusing on sustained damage instead of burst windows, in healers having basically the same cooldown set. Homogenisation has a lot to do with the balancing process: in fact, it's a (IMHO dangerous) tool used to pursue balance.

[Dzian]

I have no choice but to assume people like you are using homogenization as a buzz word as some kind of agenda to make one or more classes worthless,

People like you quoted are typically the people using the word correctly. The very definition of Homogenization is to make thinigs uniform or similar.

and when every job within a given role has an incredibly similar toolkit then that is homogenization. when every tank gets a 30% cooldown at level 38 that is uniformity. it is similarity. it doesn't matter that one tank might use a shield for that 30% cooldown and the other uses an axe. it's irrelivant. the point is they both have a uniform toolkit and similar capabilites, thus they are homogenized.

dps is the same it really doesn't matter that one class uses a polearm and another uses fists. there toolkits provide them with the same capabilites and a uniform set of skills. every dps has the same tools to stun or silence or use second wind etc etc. and once again it really doesnt matter if one stuns with a polearm and the other with a punch.. they both have the same capabilities thus homogenized.