Can We Have Talent Trees?

[Shurrikhan]

True and detailed customization within a class(/job)-based game will generally work only when there is no cutting-edge content and there is more to the endgame than just raids, which is far from the MMO model.

That said, Wrath did a better job that I think most gave it credit for in terms of being able to place... 10-25% of your points differently than every other player in your given primary specialization. Of course, they didn't like the work needed to keep that up...

To be honest, I too would love to see some customization choices, but there's a fine line between playstyle variance and niche variance, between a PLD who has more support flavor and one who can only OT. The permanence or simultaneous balance (something that affects both how one supports and does damage within a single customization trait, for instance) of those specializations would also be important. I don't want to lose niches; I only want customization to alter the way in which that role is carried out such as to better fit the flow of the party and make some new opportunities, generally increasing the fun of combat.

:: Keep in mind there are plenty of other ways to have the feeling of specialization without locking your character into certain choices--to simply have more tools than you can simultaneously use, or even fit into a complete rotation. Therein you already have multiple ways to run the class, with the ideal use of their mixture dependent on both situation (more than just fight-/boss-based) and some gambling/fine prediction.