Yoshi-P on Character Growth

[loreleidiangelo]

I don't think Blade and Soul's skill tree allocation is all that great of an example on how people just tunnel the absolute "best" or whatever. On my Summoner, I had a PVP build, an AOE build, a PVE group content build and a "trying to duo stuff with my boyfriend that we probably shouldn't be duoing" build. In addition, you could do earth-based Sunflower build or wind-based Bees build once elemental accessories and legendary weapons came out (though nobody did the white legendary except hardcore PVPers lol an admitted failure in equal opportunity design).

Same thing with WoW. Right now on my Frost Death Knight, I have two possible builds I'm testing that are parsing almost exactly the same. One involves rotating two moves and an auto-attack talent to keep a constant 30% haste buff up, and the other involves stockpiling resource (kinda like XI's TP-building) to channel a ridiculously strong move for as long as I can. Both builds are actually parsing about the same, with the haste one being better on a dummy but difficult to upkeep in heavy movement fights, whereas the channel move suffers less from movement but isn't as high theoretical DPS given perfect conditions. Of note, the channel build is also a lot more straightforward and easy to use.

It's also worth remarking that both of those builds actually prioritize different secondary stats, so there's customization to be had there, too. "Illusion of choice" arguments really should just be renamed "illusion of an actual argument" arguments, jeez.

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

I'm not going to answer a question that is answered in the post right above yours. Also, why are the numbers so different? Nobody has suggested such a thing.

If BLM A is doing 3k damage and BLM B is doing 15k damage because of a choice they made in gear of equivalent level or skill choices (aka build), then the developers have done something wrong.

Let's say BLM A has a trait that reduces the cast time for spells 40%, but also reduces their power by 60%, with an occasional fire 4 proc and fire 3 procs without penalty or cast time, while BLM B has the reverse, a trait that doubles cast time and roots the caster, but triples the power, with an additional proc that guarantees a crit.

[loreleidiangelo]

Let's say BLM A has a trait that reduces the cast time for spells 40%, but also reduces their power by 60%, with an occasional fire 4 proc and fire 3 procs without penalty or cast time, while BLM B has the reverse, a trait that doubles cast time and roots the caster, but triples the power, with an additional proc that guarantees a crit.

This is kind of a loaded question. What is BLM A's spell speed, crit, det? BLM B's? What is the % of these proc rates that you are being fairly vague in mentioning? What impact does crit as a stat weight have not just on rate, but power? How significantly would spell speed affect the GCD?

Obviously, these questions might be a good answer as to WHY the devs don't fool with talent choices, but the fact remains that there are variables not being taken into consideration with your hypothetical here.

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

Well, I was trying to point out how subpar builds are, but phone limitations prevented me from painting the full scenario. Still, your response Lunafaye pretty much sums up why I don't want builds around.

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

A dps number of that small a difference would mean that B's build would be better than A's if it has more support in it, which would make it more optimal than A.

[MomomiMomi]

A dps number of that small a difference would mean that B's build would be better than A's if it has more support in it, which would make it more optimal than A.

Never said it provided anything else. All I said is that they both do similar DPS.

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

I was going off Alahra's assumption earlier.

[Androir]

Char grow, in my opinion, is also more Itemlevel. Power balanching, feel the ultimate ying yang effect between negative stats and god ones for your class. And the satisfying moment if you see: you had choosen whisely.

[Musashidon]

SE once released census where it was stated that there are 2'700'000 players in the game currently. Then this number was investigated by players and the real number was around 700k-800k. After this SE stopped releasing censuses. So any datamined census will be more accurate than SE one

the only numbers se ever gave was way back saying they have 500k daily active players. the 2.7mil 3mil 5mil 6mil is a different number than active.

it will never be more accurate than se (other than the fact people make them) if you want to believe the info 100% that is your call but it holds no real weight.