Issue With One of Ghostcrawler's Responses

#0 - Feb. 13, 2009, 1:38 a.m.

Nethaera: Who will be able to use it?
Ghostcrawler: Players who have reached the maximum level will be able to set up dual specs.

Nethaera: Why do players need to be max level in order to do this?
Ghostcrawler: We didn’t want to burden lower-level players with extra complexity as they’re working to level up and [b]learn their class.[/b] But if the feature proves popular we might consider expanding it.

The section in bold and underlined and italicized (it didn't stand out enough when just bolded).

Please, correct me if I'm wrong.

If players are not given dual specs from square one, they will not be as likely to try out different specs while leveling which is half the point of leveling. Here's what I see happening:

Pally A levels as retribution. He only plays retribution. For 80 levels. At level 80 he will get this brand new feature! Dual specs, whoa! He decides to spec protection and start doing instances. OOPS! Holding aggro is HARD! Oh, no! =( My whole group is angry at me. =( "Ok, maybe protection isn't the way for me to go. Maybe holy will work out better for me! Yeah, that's it! Holy will work!" Oooh, I need lots of mana! Oh, I can throw out my critical strike stuff. Healers don't need that. Oh, no! Whyyyy am I such a bad healer?

Sorry that flows so poorly, I have REAL papers to write for school. But if players can't use dual specs until they get to 80, they really won't know the specs they haven't used, and there will most likely be lots of unhappy 80's because people should know their class by 80.

Sure, it would be nice to have another privilege at 80. But it is much more important to know all you're specs before you get there.

Zarhym

#3 - Feb. 13, 2009, 1:49 a.m.

You do make a great point, Cvarto. This is ultimately while the option is still on the table, though the feature is not likely to launch this way.

I think Ghostcrawler was speaking more about new players leveling. If someone is new to WoW, new to MMOs, or even new to RPGs, talents alone can be a bit overwhelming. Trial and error, and learning the basic damage rotations are very integral aspects of learning the game. Giving players the option of flipping between two specializations when they haven't figured out how the core of the class operates may be a deterrent.

Like I said though, it's still something we're considering, and I think you've presented a good case for why it's in consideration.

Zarhym

#58 - Feb. 13, 2009, 3:58 a.m.

Q u o t e:

This response doesn't make sense. An easy way to keep new players from using the feature is to keep the cost at a reasonable level, say 100 gold. Nobody who is brand new is gonna be able to touch that until they are near Outlands.

Like I said, it's being considered. The discussion goes back and forth on the best way to do it. I'd hope explaining some of our thoughts on matters like this wouldn't sound like nonsense to you.