Thread: New Class/Job in 2.2?

Well if you want to go into what's needed, you have to look at it from every angle.

In terms of classes, Tanks = 2, Healer = 1, DPS = 5 (Need a new healer Class)
In terms of Jobs: Tanks = 2, Healer = 2, DPS = 5 (Fairly well rounded, but DPS is odd number, making it an even seems like a good idea)
In terms of battle ability: Defense (Tank) = 2/2, Healing = 1/2, Physical Melee = 2/2, Magical Range = 2/2, Physical Range = 1/1 (Need a new physical range character)
In terms of demand: Tank
In terms of what players Play: DPS
In terms of Discipline: Disciples of War = 5/5 Disciples of Magic = 3/4

(the ones with #/# are Class and Job respectively)

Making a new tank has many what if scenarios and possibilities. Players will try it just to try it. This doesn't mean they'll dungeon with it, they'll just try it out. Could run Fates with them for some quick EXP. Though it may or may not fix the Tank issue. It will die out fast, especially if the Tank isn't vastly different from what we already have, which isn't very likely to happen. Will more people play tanks afterwards? Its not a question anyone can answer honestly because no one knows. Based on role, some people just won't play it for parties. Based on class, some may play it for the class, but at the same time just as many or more may not play it because of the class or even lack of diversity between it and the previous tanks.

Really, the chances of adding a new tank fixing the human error on the player's part isn't very likely and it does seem to have the same chances of the new tank class being used only for a short burst and then quickly forgotten or existing tanks changing to that new tank for playability, which does nothing for increasing the numbers. While I say its small, this is mostly personal opinion based on what I see daily both on forums and in game. Tank is just the least fulfilling class and you'd have to pretty much like the Tank before hand or be of a tank mindset to really want to stay as the class as a Main profession.

New Ranged DPS isn't something to completely ignore even with the Tank issue. Has potential to take charge over Bard, but Bard has some nice support and really is a support based class more than a damage dealing class, not that they cannot deal damage as I have heard the stories of solo Barding Primals.

New DoM is a personal favorite of mine and something I eagerly await, even if its not until Patch 2.9.

Originally Posted by Nahara

The tanks we have right now are fine and adding a new tank class without fixing the real problem (people not wanting to play tanks) will just offer a new job to the people who want to tank, and a new job for people who ignore if they don't like tanking.

But there is also the part where tanks want new stuff too. Many tanks already have WAR/PLD maxed out or close to it and are looking to dps/healing classes for more diversity. I like playing a tank but it does get old when both are currently almost exactly the same bar and extra combo or two. I already have ilvl 80 drg and smn but I'd drop my dps shenanigans in a second for more tanking goodness. Tanks aren't going to tank forever/always and adding more dps just makes it easier to drop tanking.

I'm sure when thief and musketeer come out and they have no tanks for dungeons they'll be ecstatic that dps release was prioritized above actually being able to play content in a timely manner. Same thing with healers before 30. While it won't be extreme with 1 or 2 more dps it is most certainly not a trend that should continue and should be avoided if at all possible.

DPS releases should have a tank/healer release coincide with them or else strain on some content is just going to be too much. Its all well and good that the majority that already has tons of options get even more but accessibility to content is already a problem. Adding more dps while ignoring tanks/healers solves one problem and makes one worse while adding more tanks and healers is only a plus. Unless of course you consider not getting EVERYTHING you ask for a downside.

The ratio of classes available for Healers, Damage Dealers, and Tanks compared to the ratio of players that want to play those classes is something that has been refined over years and years of developing MMOs. The issue of there not being enough tanks really has nothing to do with how many tank classes are available, it's about how many players A) want to play them, and B) actually stick with them.

Now, it's true that more class options means more of a selection and players get more choices on which is more to their play style, however if you've already made up your mind to tank or to try out tanking, it doesn't matter if there are 2 choices or 5 choices, you're going to pick one. You may try out the other, but usually you'll lean towards the one that looks more appealing right off the bat or you may be the type to do research and go with the flavor of the month in regards to popularity and/or recommendation. Either way, you're rolling a tank.

cont..

t is very rare that a tank class, without a damage or healing option off spec (such as in other games that allow you to switch how a specific class plays), is chosen en masse and flocked to just because it's new ... and what I mean is played at end game, not just messing around with it in your spare time to see what's under the hood. Usually, the people that will play a new tank class are players that are new and would have picked some other tank class anyhow had this new one not been available, or it's somebody who is already playing a tank and wants more options for sub-class abilities or the new class is currently overpowered and they're going to take advantage of it.

cont..

Yes, there are those few healers or damage dealers that will try out a new tanking class when they hadn't ever given the other tanks the time of day, however there is something to be said about them as well. Generally, if they take that new tank class up to end game there is a domino effect, or no effect at all. A) Their guild, FC, w/e has no room for a new tank, so they end up playing their DPS anyhow; B) Their gear can never catch up to fights that actually matter, so they end up playing their DPS anyhow; C) The guild needs them on healer as nobody else can step up to take their place, so they end up playing their healer anyhow; D) They do end up tanking for their guild, but then the tank whose spot they took ends up playing a DPS alt as their main, and thus the ratio remains intact. Eventually though, so many players end up returning to their roots or switching to the next new class that comes out, because they're class jumpers, and the ratio remains the same once again.

You really, really have to be in a tanking mindset to roll as one. It's a slippery slope being a tank. You are expected to know every strategy and what every class is doing and where they should be. You have to have your head (camera) on a constant swivel and keep a high amount of situational awareness. You have to be ready for heavy repair bills. You have to be ready to play for your guild or FC every time they need you, or they'll find somebody else to take your spot that is reliable and the tank that's there every night gets all the gear and gets the call for all new content. You also have to be prepared to take a lot of criticism and be ready to get kicked out of a lot of parties and/or take a lot of blame for wipes when the learning curve steeps. Most people don't want to handle that kind of stress or play style, and stay away from tank classes altogether for all of these reasons.

cont..

Far too many that do take up the reigns ditch the job later for the greener pastures of DPS Land. There is a lot of glory to be had while tanking ... but the pressure of defeat is generally more than people can handle, and people play games for fun, not to get stressed. It takes a special kind of person to not only play a tank, to not only be successful as one, but to also be considered "great."

This is why DPS classes are so popular.

Damage dealers can rank themselves and compete with one another. There are tools in order to measure themselves and new records and feats to be claimed in terms of numbers that don't lie. But for tanks, oh no ... the only measuring stick is staying alive and keeping everybody else alive, and coordinating groups and coming up with strategies when something isn't working, and knowing the ins and outs of every boss and never making a mistake.

cont..