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Character Development Questions
It seems that TERA classes are pretty locked into roles... melee dps, burst dps, absorb tank, evasion tank, ranged dps, etc.
from what ive read.. are glyphs the only way to customize and develop your character? is there ANY freedom to tweak your character or create a hybrid design? or is it just a neverending struggle to fulfil that single predestined role thats placed upon you when you chose that class?
if so, are the glyphs varied enough to atleast allow interesting choices? seems that Asian games create clones... i.e. every lancer will be the same, etc. (not factoring in the player skill that goes into action based combat ofc)
also, i see that each class is locked into a single weapon type.. that kinda adds to the clone vibe i hate.. but if so, are there atleast interesting choices at each level range? or is it like Lineage where each level range has a single, best, weapon choice that EVERY player seeks. at level 1-5 get a Sword of Cool, from 6-10 get a Sword of Cool +2, at level 20 get the Sword of Awesome... etc. at least are there a nice variety of models to choose from? or does everyone look the same?
so i guess im just worried about deep Character Development... what can i expect? when i join a MMO - im in it for the long haul. leveling to max will not feel like a grind if i will be dealing with interesting choices to maximize my character. i think its well established that the combat is interesting and i like the fact that its group orientated at higher levels. but i just hope that there is something deeper that awesome graphics and animations. some real substance to go with the pretty flashiness.
hope i get some responses soon; i got the digital download window open and my credit card ready 
thanks for your time and any thoughtful replies
Comments
I'm a big fan of tera and to be honest here I don't think the game is for you. Glyph lets you customize your skill pretty well but not to the point where you can break your roll. Only class that can change roll is warrior who can glyph toward tank or dps. The kind of customization your looking for from what i read isn't relaly here. Yes most people are locked in to a roll however because of the action combat there many ways to fillfull those rolls. Its hard to explain, you have to play it to see the difference, 2 slayer could have exact same gear and glyph but you fee like they are 2 different class depending on how the person plays it. If you want notable difference like completely change of skill or weapon or roll I don't suggest getting the game, you might like it but I feel there is higher chance you going to feel disappointed.
However there are many subtle differences that you will notice as you play the game. Like i said depending on the person's play style 2 idential character feel completely different, and there aren't one best way to play, Everyone builds how they play from their own experience.
As for the weapons yes its normally one best weapon but the game has a template system that allow you to change the appearence of your weapon. So even if everyone has the same Sword of Cool +12, outlook wise they can all be different color and model.
Edit: I guess some example of what i mean would help you understand.
As a lancer while you are stuck in the roll of tank, depending on the person it can be very different. Some are very defensive and block a lot and only do what is required to hold aggro, these lancer take next to no dmg so healer are to help dps or heal dps. While more aggriessive lancer take every game to land in hits and throw in debuff making the fights faster but require more heals.
Archer, some will stay back in safe range and dps away, they do less dps but they are safe and doesn't require healer's attention. Other archers like to get close to get the extra dmg, land that extra stun or place down a trap. Much more dps but also higher risk of getting killed.
Sorc who favor using hard hitting skill that require them to stand still or one that use weaker skill but remain more moblie
And speically when you PvP fighting 1 slayer is completely different from fighting other, some time its like fighting a different class depending on on the person fights. Thats the best i can explain it beside you trying it out yourself. If you think the subtle differences in play style is enough by all means try it, but if you want more noticable difference that people can tell at a glance i suggest not buying.
Characters are pretty much the same all around, you'll find plenty of people that look like you, and use your same spells, the good thing is that classes are not race bound like on other games. You'll have about 4 different armor choices from which as you level you'll earn the same look with a different color, eventually you'll earn a different outfit. Weapons look the same all around, a sorcerer wears a disk and always will, a berserker an axe and always will. The character creation does allow some customization to a point.
Glyphs allow things on your skills such as lower/eliminate cooldowns and mana costs on spells you choose. Everyones pretty much got their role set, sorcerer/archer/slayers are dps, mystic - support/healer, priest - healer, lancer/warrior - tanks.
If you really really think you'll love the combat then get it, the rest won't matter. But if you're looking for deep customization, options on leveling, or amazing PvE I'd advise you to save your money and wait for a trial.
Remember... all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more.
guys thanks sooo much for your great insights into the game. that really gave me a clearer picture of how i experience the game. really appreciate it.
gonna mull over it a bit after i talk with a friend and see if he will join me. i might have more questions later but for now i have food for thought.
thanks again.
Glad to help, While i love this game i rather people understand what they are getting in to than buying it due to some misconception and coming back on the forum to rage about it =X
Feel free to ask any question =D
ya, think we're gonna hold off on TERA until the summertime when they add more to the PVP system and the political system is more understood. but we will most definitely be deep into GW2 by then so who knows... anyways. /cheers and thanks again for your time.
Fo rme the best thing about weapons and armor in Tera is that you can have 4 swords of the same name, and they will look all they same, but you can choose them to have different properties. As a mystic you can make for axample, healing scepter, dps scepter, pve or pvp scepter. This is a link that shows what you can have on your weapon/armor http://blackrabbit2999.blogspot.com/2012/02/tera-online-gear-attributes-and.html