Why no character template system?

StanLee2

I loved EQ and am foaming at the mouth for EQ2.

But in all the stuff Ive read Ive gathered that every Cleric will have the same skills as every other Cleric...mage as every other mage...etc etc.

WHY in this age of character customization cant we have a template system????  I mean sure AA points are sort of like a template system..but thats only for high levels and everyone ends up getting the same ones anyway from the few choices there are.

Sure there's a partial "skill-per-use" system where if you pick up an axe after using a sword you can change, but you've got to be kidding me that there's no character template system like Shadowbane, AC2, CoH or others.

There should be options at each level of archetype, class, and subclass to pick from various skills so that each character is highly unique.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

An amazing game with an amazing flaw.

|MaguS|

Because they don't want it and it works just find how it is. Having all the players have the same skill of that class makes players even more unique because people will grow thier own play style.

In the original Everquest I was often told I was one of the best clerics because I specialized in healing. I didn't even bother to buy my nukes till I was 45+ because I didn't need them. I was able to keep alive a monk or even a paladin as the main tank (if you played EQ as a cleric in the old days, you know thats REALLY tough).

I think developing a unique play skill is ALOT more important then making your character the ultimate class....

StanLee2

I wont argue that I cant change how it will be...but the rest of your arguement is flawed.

You're basically saying that less character variety in ability choice breeds more variety in playstyle and thats just plain wrong.

First because at the basic level less choices of abilities (spells/combat) can only lead to less choices of play style.

Secondly, because there is only one way to cast a heal there is no variety in playstyle.

I played EQ for over four years...seen it all.  To say that there are multiple playstyles for a particular character is misguided. Sure there are shades of aggressive vs support play...but ultimately all the clerics will look the same and have the same abilities.

It boils down to the difference between strategy and tactics. Strategy is the philosophy of what to do...Tactics is how to accomplish it.  With fewer choices in abilities, you limit multiple methods of achieving whatever your goal is.

I have no hopes of them changing the game, but the game ultimately the game has dropped the ball in a gigantic way.

ADDITION: I should say that a) I dont want any class to be the uberclass b) class balancing is always part of the game. In the original EQ power problems still exist between classes and that will never go away. A template system doesnt change that.