The real problem with Ashes of Creation - Augments

Nanfoodle

I dont think most people know the depth of this system and why I think its a hot mess. You earn augments from picking a Secondary class, religion, Char Background (this replaces race augments) and the list goes on. Augments can do 2 things to a skill. Enhance it (add more damage, add a DoT at the end of a DD, make you charge skill make you blink like a mage to the target, etc) It can also change the skill entirely, a heal spell now gives the target mana and also a buff that helps mana regen, as an example.

Here is where I am worried and I think its scope is to large. 8 Classes x 8 sub classes is 64 subclasses. Each sub class you pick gives you 4 Augment paths for your skills. So now you have 256 options to balance. Now add in the augments you can earn from Religion, Background and the list goes on. Not only is this a mess to balance but how long will it takes to make each option meaningful?

When I bring this up on the Ashes forum, I get shot down hard telling me this is not a problem. I am thinking of making it, its own thread. What are your thoughts? 

Slapshot1188

Perhaps my take is unique today but I have nothing but love for variety of player choices.  I do not care if they are balanced.  Life isn't balanced. I loved DAoC most when it was unbalanced even though I was playing one of the most under powered classes (Spear Hero on Hibernia).

It just made me hate the Left Axe Midgard Zerkers and their kin even more.

I have many, MANY complaints about this game and company, but honestly this isn't one of them.

Nanfoodle

Slapshot1188 said:

Perhaps my take is unique today but I have nothing but love for variety of player choices.  I do not care if they are balanced.  Life isn't balanced. I loved DAoC most when it was unbalanced even though I was playing one of the most under powered classes (Spear Hero on Hibernia).

It just made me take the Left Axe Midgard Zerkers and their kin even more.

I have many, MANY complaints about this game and company, but honestly this isn't one of them.

You do get all 256 options makes you a new class in essence?

Slapshot1188

Nanfoodle said:

Slapshot1188 said:

Perhaps my take is unique today but I have nothing but love for variety of player choices.  I do not care if they are balanced.  Life isn't balanced. I loved DAoC most when it was unbalanced even though I was playing one of the most under powered classes (Spear Hero on Hibernia).

It just made me take the Left Axe Midgard Zerkers and their kin even more.

I have many, MANY complaints about this game and company, but honestly this isn't one of them.

You do get all 256 options makes you a new class in essence?

Again-  I think that is FANTASTIC.

Wargfoot

I with Slap, and I'd improve on it by using a skill-based system thereby doing away with class/sub classes altogether.

Kyleran

Wargfoot said:

I with Slap, and I'd improve on it by using a skill-based system thereby doing away with class/sub classes altogether.

Probably way too late to flip to a skill base design, for better or worse classes / subclasses are likely to be implemented.

Nanfoodle

Kyleran said:

Wargfoot said:

I with Slap, and I'd improve on it by using a skill-based system thereby doing away with class/sub classes altogether.

Probably way too late to flip to a skill base design, for better or worse classes / subclasses are likely to be implemented.

You do level weapon skills by using them but its a progression tree that gives abilities and augments. All classes can use all weapon and armor types. 

Nanfoodle

Narc follows the patch notes from the A2 content time line and using the time table we have been given for the length of each time between major and minor patches given to us by Steven. Puts the lunch at 2030. I put this video on the main general Ashes forum and it was quickly buried in a sub forum that gets little traffic. Discuss! =-)

https://youtu.be/ztqeAJ_CXc8?si=bFbb59a2Uc0LBnG2

Slapshot1188

I'm just gonna go out and say it.  I do not believe launch will be 2030.
Whether it's ready or not, the game will "launch" in the next 2 years.  

Burn rate is a real thing and this is simply not Star Citizen selling space ship pictures.