Twinfinite Interview

[Driavna]

The fact that there should be options isn't exclusive with the fact that a meta will appear. The point in having option is to provide both gameplay related diversity on an individual class scale (in order for a player who play a class not to become bored if he doesn't want to switch class) and on a group based scale (by allowing different strategies to be used on any given content).

Look at other games with talents points and how people will kick you for not having the best build.

[Naunet]

Look at other games with talents points and how people will kick you for not having the best build.

I can also look at games with talent-like systems that have managed to create something where there are multiple competitive builds. In WildStar, for example, the spellslinger class has 5+ perfectly viable builds that people can use depending on their familiarity with the class, the class runes they have available to them, or the buff/debuff needs of their raid group.

It's possible, but it takes a bit of effort on the part of the devs, as well as a less rigid community.

[Driavna]

...

I'm a ex wildstar player too (also GW/GW2) and those "viable" builds where more about adapting for each encounter and type of content, but yes, the illusion of choice and being able to try stuff for yourself is always nice. However I still remember an article (sadly I can't find it) explaining how people fail at raids mostly due bad talent choices for that type of content during vanilla WoW times. In reality "options" are more often than not a "stupidity test".

I'm not against choices, as I said try stuff for yourself is fun, but there is always going to be a better option and a lot of bad ones.