Can someone please explain me what the issue of the OP is?
It is revolutionary? Or not? Man, thats what PR and mags say. Its saying all or nothing. What IS revolutionary? Everyone will find something else revolutionary. Some may want to stick to the roots or some want everything totally different with each run. I don't see anything to talk about here, unless I am really mistaken.
By 'revolutionary', he means 'new and exciting' and, as he makes clear, from the part of the game he played, he didn't find it 'new and exciting'.
If some of you are that up in arms about their lack of information, why not go to E3 in 3 weeks? They've already registered SWTOR for the event and promise to update their homepage on a regular basis during.
I personally, would die to go. Unfortunately, I can not.
Anyone else fully aware of the fact game AND console developers love to wait specifially for E3 before giving info and secrets? Why not wait just 3 measely weeks before flaming anymore? Hell, I'll be flaming if they don't show anything new at the event. Just have some patience for the fact that E3 is so close.
Important note: The poster here called it a "review". . the author calls it a preview. He does not claim that this is the entire game or that he had an entire experience.
Bioware has released a ton of dev movies describing the goals with pretty much every one having gameplay footage.
Two, SW:TOR is still a full year away from release. The hype train can't be spewing this far out and still have something to share later. Also the end of closed beta is balance and retuning so you don't want to be too specific and then be called on it because your testing showed the design and the gameplay didn't meld well.
Now FF XIV hasn't told us anything, we have scans from a Japanese mag but thats it, nothing official and nothing for NA.
GW2 has been putting out a lot of details lately, makes me think they are closer to release than we might think. Holiday season maybe.
Seriously guys, you're coming to decisions based on this dude going through just a few battles at level 6.....
Well, one disturbing thing we already know is that quest are already mapped. I want to know how this game will differ from WoW. So far its sound disturbingly similar. Like we don't have enough easy-mode games.
The main theme I can gather is that people are not sure how the Light Side/Dark side game mechanic and morale choice will work in an MMO and that this will effect the outcome of the game.
I've played all both KOTOR games, in both you start as neutrally aligned player and gain light/dark side points as you progress. I really like this concept and enjoy it.
I see a potentially large flaw in TOR:
You choose your alignment at the start - Light Side/Dark Side
E.G. When I choose to be a Sith class I have already chosen my alignment at character creation.
Any additional morale/ethical choices you make throughout the game will be tivial compared to that first choice at faction and class selection.
How could they make the ethical decisions you make during gameplay have any impact? If I continue to gain light side points as a Sith will I eventually get the option to become a Jedi? Otherwise why bother with light side choices?
Hopefulyl Biowarewill pul something amazing out to counter my skepticism.
The main theme I can gather is that people are not sure how the Light Side/Dark side game mechanic and morale choice will work in an MMO and that this will effect the outcome of the game.
I've played all both KOTOR games, in both you start as neutrally aligned player and gain light/dark side points as you progress. I really like this concept and enjoy it.
I see a potentially large flaw in TOR:
You choose your alignment at the start - Light Side/Dark Side
E.G. When I choose to be a Sith class I have already chosen my alignment at character creation.
Any additional morale/ethical choices you make throughout the game will be tivial compared to that first choice at faction and class selection.
How could they make the ethical decisions you make during gameplay have any impact? If I continue to gain light side points as a Sith will I eventually get the option to become a Jedi? Otherwise why bother with light side choices?
Hopefulyl Biowarewill pul something amazing out to counter my skepticism.
As far as I know, there have only ever been 2 sith (previously jedi) who've come back from the dark side. That would be both Skywalkers, though it's really only in the books where Luke goes dark side. Unless anyone has info on any others, this would mean that, true to the Star Wars universe, if you start as a Sith, there's no hope for you to go light side, but to go from light to dark and try to go back again? Let's just say that, because I'm a little worried they may disregard this fact to make it accessible, I hope they pull this off right and make it logical. Say, sending hit squads after you on a regular basis if you are a sith making light side choices and getting penalized in your stats until you are fully free from the dark side influence.
Bioware has released a ton of dev movies describing the goals with pretty much every one having gameplay footage.
Two, SW:TOR is still a full year away from release. The hype train can't be spewing this far out and still have something to share later. Also the end of closed beta is balance and retuning so you don't want to be too specific and then be called on it because your testing showed the design and the gameplay didn't meld well.
Now FF XIV hasn't told us anything, we have scans from a Japanese mag but thats it, nothing official and nothing for NA.
GW2 has been putting out a lot of details lately, makes me think they are closer to release than we might think. Holiday season maybe.
Neh GW2 still has a looong way to go at the very least it's still a good 6 months away probably a lot more. If you've noticed they haven't actually said all that much. They only described the event system and one class. They still have 7 other classes ,the underwater content which is supposed to be as big as the ones on land, WvW, structured pvp, dungeons, All the random interactive stuff you can and a bunch of other things like mini games etc.
Swtor has actually released a far amount more than A-net it's just A-net has told us about a far amount of features where as swtor we know nothing about the game except for greater focus on the story and a pretty in-depth description about the classes.
Seamless instancing when you have a few (p)reviewers is one thing, but I wonder how this will be when the game launches.
If you arrive to find a bunch of other Bounty Hunters killing natives alongside their friends while converging on the same hut it will be far less immersive. And outside the leader's hut you may well find several Bounty Hunters spamming "LFG - need jedi healer for boss fight". Of everything we have heard so far these previews are easily the most worrisome.
You choose your alignment at the start - Light Side/Dark Side
E.G. When I choose to be a Sith class I have already chosen my alignment at character creation.
No, you don't.
Choosing to ally yourself with Sith or Republic is a choice for a faction, or 'a political affiliation'.
You can perfectly be a light Sith or a dark Jedi in this game.
Basically, a light Sith is going against the establishment and tries to change the ways of his people. But he is still loyal to his people, much like how people who rebel against a certain leader in a country therefore don't ally themselves with another country which wants to conquer your home.
A Dark Jedi doesn't agree with the way the Jedi do things and will probably covertly try to bring their own plans into fruition.
For examples, the comics on the official website are a pretty good source, in Threat of Peace you get some very interesting characters who are motivated in different ways, but not based solely on which faction they chose to begin with.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
Seamless instancing when you have a few (p)reviewers is one thing, but I wonder how this will be when the game launches.
If you arrive to find a bunch of other Bounty Hunters killing natives alongside their friends while converging on the same hut it will be far less immersive. And outside the leader's hut you may well find several Bounty Hunters spamming "LFG - need jedi healer for boss fight". Of everything we have heard so far these previews are easily the most worrisome.
Well, this particular one at least was part of the main quest for BH's, so expect most people to do that one solo; and probably only bounty hunters will be running around there.
I'm sure some of those typical situations will stick around though; they're somewhat part of the mmo genre after all.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
They don't have to be. There is no reason why we should not expect more from Bioware and other companies.
I'd certainly want them to cut down the need to stand around yelling for "LFG", by adding some smart design, but at a certain point, it's up to the players to either do that or not and I fully expect some will continue to.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
They don't have to be. There is no reason why we should not expect more from Bioware and other companies.
I'd certainly want them to cut down the need to stand around yelling for "LFG", by adding some smart design, but at a certain point, it's up to the players to either do that or not and I fully expect some will continue to.
Well grouping has been made obsolete in this game with NPC companions and 95% of the content being designed to be soloed. This will mostly be a single player game with the option to maybe pull in a few real life friends a la Diablo, but don't expect there to be a big grouping community.
I guess you fanboys don't know what a hands on review is? But you'll make excuses for everything.
Guess a hater, who is most likely a fanboy of some other genre of game and feels so insecure about that, that he feels the need to hate on everything ever released by a completely different genre of game, can't read the freaking article's title?
Star Wars: The Old Republic Hands-on Preview
pre·view also pre·vue play_w2("P0550000") (prvy)
n.
1. An advance showing, as of a movie or art exhibition, to which a selected audience is invited before public presentation begins.
2. An advance viewing or exhibition, especially the presentation of several scenes advertising a forthcoming movie; a trailer.
3. An introductory or preliminary message, sample, or overview; a foretaste.
tr.v.pre·viewed also pre·vued, pre·view·ing also pre·vu·ing, pre·views also pre·vues
1. To view or exhibit in advance.
2. To provide a preliminary sample or overview of: The professor previewed the course for us.
re·view play_w2("R0207500") (r-vy)
v.re·viewed, re·view·ing, re·views
v.tr.
1. To look over, study, or examine again.
2. To consider retrospectively; look back on.
3. To examine with an eye to criticism or correction: reviewed the research findings.
4. To write or give a critical report on (a new work or performance, for example).
5. Law To reexamine (an action or determination) judicially, especially in a higher court, in order to correct possible errors.
6. To subject to a formal inspection, especially a military inspection.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
I guess you fanboys don't know what a hands on review is? But you'll make excuses for everything.
Guess a hater, who is most likely a fanboy of some other genre of game and feels so insecure about that, that he feels the need to hate on everything ever released by a completely different genre of game, can't read the freaking article's title?
Star Wars: The Old Republic Hands-on Preview
If this is the case, why are all the fanboys running around screaming that the "REVIEW" isn't fair, and that you can't "REVIEW" something before its out?
Yes, I'm a fan of MMORPGs. Guess I'm insecure and that explains my dislike of this single player game with a monthly fee. :P
You choose your alignment at the start - Light Side/Dark Side
E.G. When I choose to be a Sith class I have already chosen my alignment at character creation.
No, you don't.
Choosing to ally yourself with Sith or Republic is a choice for a faction, or 'a political affiliation'.
You can perfectly be a light Sith or a dark Jedi in this game.
Basically, a light Sith is going against the establishment and tries to change the ways of his people. But he is still loyal to his people, much like how people who rebel against a certain leader in a country therefore don't ally themselves with another country which wants to conquer your home.
A Dark Jedi doesn't agree with the way the Jedi do things and will probably covertly try to bring their own plans into fruition.
For examples, the comics on the official website are a pretty good source, in Threat of Peace you get some very interesting characters who are motivated in different ways, but not based solely on which faction they chose to begin with.
Agree wholeheartedly with what you say about their being 'Light leaning Sith' and 'Dark leaning Jedi'.
However, the fact that a Jedi leans slightly to the 'dark side' needs to be recognised in the game mechanic - i.e. choosing to play your character in this manner also needs to be viable, have some use in the game.
For example:
I may choose to roleplay a Jedi Knight who has chosen to train a few 'Dark side' powers to make him interesting. However I find in I'm a completely gimped build and no-one wants me because the optimum builds (cookie cutter) are far more viable in PvP.
Also I don't want to find a situation where gaining dark side points for my Jedi Knight via my morale actions will not be useful and that lightside points are required to make the cookie cutter build and remain competitive.
its going to get complicated. Many variables and a combination of potential build options that should hopefully be viable - but as we all know from previous MMOs - more options = more difficult to balance = more flavour of the month builds.
This is a big challenge for Bioware given their single-player heritage - I'll be very interested to see how they will attempt to implement the complexity they promise to meet user's customisation desires while retaining class balance and viability in both PvE and PvP. Bioware haven't failed us yet - lets hope they pull a rabbit out of this hat - they definitely have the money to do it.
Agree wholeheartedly with what you say about their being 'Light leaning Sith' and 'Dark leaning Jedi'.
However, the fact that a Jedi leans slightly to the 'dark side' needs to be recognised in the game mechanic - i.e. choosing to play your character in this manner also needs to be viable, have some use in the game.
For example:
I may choose to roleplay a Jedi Knight who has chosen to train a few 'Dark side' powers to make him interesting. However I find in I'm a completely gimped build and no-one wants me because the optimum builds (cookie cutter) are far more viable in PvP.
Also I don't want to find a situation where gaining dark side points for my Jedi Knight via my morale actions will not be useful and that lightside points are required to make the cookie cutter build and remain competitive.
its going to get complicated. Many variables and a combination of potential build options that should hopefully be viable - but as we all know from previous MMOs - more options = more difficult to balance = more flavour of the month builds.
This is a big challenge for Bioware given their single-player heritage - I'll be very interested to see how they will attempt to implement the complexity they promise to meet user's customisation desires while retaining class balance and viability in both PvE and PvP. Bioware haven't failed us yet - lets hope they pull a rabbit out of this hat - they definitely have the money to do it.
Yes well, a dark side Jedi should be viable as well of course.
Balancing both sides of alignment will indeed prove challenging, I guess theres quite a big task in testing the game, but then again, balancing is always hard.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
If this is the case, why are all the fanboys running around screaming that the "REVIEW" isn't fair, and that you can't "REVIEW" something before its out?
Yes, I'm a fan of MMORPGs. Guess I'm insecure and that explains my dislike of this single player game with a monthly fee. :P
It isn't a review.
I'm saying the preview is inconsistent in its questions, not well informed and uninformative when it comes to telling about the experience he had.
You're a nostalgia fanbot of the old mmos that required you to peck through a solid brick wall with a teaspoon to reach something called fun.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
You choose your alignment at the start - Light Side/Dark Side
E.G. When I choose to be a Sith class I have already chosen my alignment at character creation.
No, you don't.
Choosing to ally yourself with Sith or Republic is a choice for a faction, or 'a political affiliation'.
You can perfectly be a light Sith or a dark Jedi in this game.
Basically, a light Sith is going against the establishment and tries to change the ways of his people. But he is still loyal to his people, much like how people who rebel against a certain leader in a country therefore don't ally themselves with another country which wants to conquer your home.
A Dark Jedi doesn't agree with the way the Jedi do things and will probably covertly try to bring their own plans into fruition.
For examples, the comics on the official website are a pretty good source, in Threat of Peace you get some very interesting characters who are motivated in different ways, but not based solely on which faction they chose to begin with.
Agree wholeheartedly with what you say about their being 'Light leaning Sith' and 'Dark leaning Jedi'.
However, the fact that a Jedi leans slightly to the 'dark side' needs to be recognised in the game mechanic - i.e. choosing to play your character in this manner also needs to be viable, have some use in the game.
For example:
I may choose to roleplay a Jedi Knight who has chosen to train a few 'Dark side' powers to make him interesting. However I find in I'm a completely gimped build and no-one wants me because the optimum builds (cookie cutter) are far more viable in PvP.
Also I don't want to find a situation where gaining dark side points for my Jedi Knight via my morale actions will not be useful and that lightside points are required to make the cookie cutter build and remain competitive.
its going to get complicated. Many variables and a combination of potential build options that should hopefully be viable - but as we all know from previous MMOs - more options = more difficult to balance = more flavour of the month builds.
This is a big challenge for Bioware given their single-player heritage - I'll be very interested to see how they will attempt to implement the complexity they promise to meet user's customisation desires while retaining class balance and viability in both PvE and PvP. Bioware haven't failed us yet - lets hope they pull a rabbit out of this hat - they definitely have the money to do it.
This is one thing that has always ruined MMOs for me. Why do I have to have a stupid cookie cutter build to remain competative? Why can't I be a high DPS Paladin with a shield or a Dark Jedi with force lightning? Instead I have to be the exact same thing as everyone else, I can't make a unique character that does things differently.
Customization and role playing are then sacrificed just so you can get a stupid party. Great. This is one reason people solo in MMOs nowadays...
This is one thing that has always ruined MMOs for me. Why do I have to have a stupid cookie cutter build to remain competative? Why can't I be a high DPS Paladin with a shield or a Dark Jedi with force lightning? Instead I have to be the exact same thing as everyone else, I can't make a unique character that does things differently.
Customization and role playing are then sacrificed just so you can get a stupid party. Great. This is one reason people solo in MMOs nowadays...
Aye, it encourages people to not to suck. Ain't that shitty, yah?
Using LOL is like saying "my argument sucks but I still want to disagree".
Comments
By 'revolutionary', he means 'new and exciting' and, as he makes clear, from the part of the game he played, he didn't find it 'new and exciting'.
If some of you are that up in arms about their lack of information, why not go to E3 in 3 weeks? They've already registered SWTOR for the event and promise to update their homepage on a regular basis during.
I personally, would die to go. Unfortunately, I can not.
Anyone else fully aware of the fact game AND console developers love to wait specifially for E3 before giving info and secrets? Why not wait just 3 measely weeks before flaming anymore? Hell, I'll be flaming if they don't show anything new at the event. Just have some patience for the fact that E3 is so close.
Important note: The poster here called it a "review". . the author calls it a preview. He does not claim that this is the entire game or that he had an entire experience.
Wa min God! Se æx on min heafod is!
Well, that sounds pretty much like a WoW or WAR review. Neither game kept me interested for any length of time.
Two things.
Bioware has released a ton of dev movies describing the goals with pretty much every one having gameplay footage.
Two, SW:TOR is still a full year away from release. The hype train can't be spewing this far out and still have something to share later. Also the end of closed beta is balance and retuning so you don't want to be too specific and then be called on it because your testing showed the design and the gameplay didn't meld well.
Now FF XIV hasn't told us anything, we have scans from a Japanese mag but thats it, nothing official and nothing for NA.
GW2 has been putting out a lot of details lately, makes me think they are closer to release than we might think. Holiday season maybe.
Well, one disturbing thing we already know is that quest are already mapped. I want to know how this game will differ from WoW. So far its sound disturbingly similar. Like we don't have enough easy-mode games.
The main theme I can gather is that people are not sure how the Light Side/Dark side game mechanic and morale choice will work in an MMO and that this will effect the outcome of the game.
I've played all both KOTOR games, in both you start as neutrally aligned player and gain light/dark side points as you progress. I really like this concept and enjoy it.
I see a potentially large flaw in TOR:
You choose your alignment at the start - Light Side/Dark Side
E.G. When I choose to be a Sith class I have already chosen my alignment at character creation.
Any additional morale/ethical choices you make throughout the game will be tivial compared to that first choice at faction and class selection.
How could they make the ethical decisions you make during gameplay have any impact? If I continue to gain light side points as a Sith will I eventually get the option to become a Jedi? Otherwise why bother with light side choices?
Hopefulyl Biowarewill pul something amazing out to counter my skepticism.
As far as I know, there have only ever been 2 sith (previously jedi) who've come back from the dark side. That would be both Skywalkers, though it's really only in the books where Luke goes dark side. Unless anyone has info on any others, this would mean that, true to the Star Wars universe, if you start as a Sith, there's no hope for you to go light side, but to go from light to dark and try to go back again? Let's just say that, because I'm a little worried they may disregard this fact to make it accessible, I hope they pull this off right and make it logical. Say, sending hit squads after you on a regular basis if you are a sith making light side choices and getting penalized in your stats until you are fully free from the dark side influence.
We'll just have to wait and see.
Neh GW2 still has a looong way to go at the very least it's still a good 6 months away probably a lot more. If you've noticed they haven't actually said all that much. They only described the event system and one class. They still have 7 other classes ,the underwater content which is supposed to be as big as the ones on land, WvW, structured pvp, dungeons, All the random interactive stuff you can and a bunch of other things like mini games etc.
Swtor has actually released a far amount more than A-net it's just A-net has told us about a far amount of features where as swtor we know nothing about the game except for greater focus on the story and a pretty in-depth description about the classes.
Hmmm.
Seamless instancing when you have a few (p)reviewers is one thing, but I wonder how this will be when the game launches.
If you arrive to find a bunch of other Bounty Hunters killing natives alongside their friends while converging on the same hut it will be far less immersive. And outside the leader's hut you may well find several Bounty Hunters spamming "LFG - need jedi healer for boss fight". Of everything we have heard so far these previews are easily the most worrisome.
No, you don't.
Choosing to ally yourself with Sith or Republic is a choice for a faction, or 'a political affiliation'.
You can perfectly be a light Sith or a dark Jedi in this game.
Basically, a light Sith is going against the establishment and tries to change the ways of his people. But he is still loyal to his people, much like how people who rebel against a certain leader in a country therefore don't ally themselves with another country which wants to conquer your home.
A Dark Jedi doesn't agree with the way the Jedi do things and will probably covertly try to bring their own plans into fruition.
For examples, the comics on the official website are a pretty good source, in Threat of Peace you get some very interesting characters who are motivated in different ways, but not based solely on which faction they chose to begin with.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
Well, this particular one at least was part of the main quest for BH's, so expect most people to do that one solo; and probably only bounty hunters will be running around there.
I'm sure some of those typical situations will stick around though; they're somewhat part of the mmo genre after all.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
Don't really care about reviews, I wan't to form my own opinnion about games.
Currently playing: N/A
Retired from: GW, WAR, Aion, LOTRO, Rift, SW:TOR, Vinductus
They don't have to be. There is no reason why we should not expect more from Bioware and other companies.
I guess you fanboys don't know what a hands on review is? But you'll make excuses for everything.
I'd certainly want them to cut down the need to stand around yelling for "LFG", by adding some smart design, but at a certain point, it's up to the players to either do that or not and I fully expect some will continue to.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
Well grouping has been made obsolete in this game with NPC companions and 95% of the content being designed to be soloed. This will mostly be a single player game with the option to maybe pull in a few real life friends a la Diablo, but don't expect there to be a big grouping community.
Guess a hater, who is most likely a fanboy of some other genre of game and feels so insecure about that, that he feels the need to hate on everything ever released by a completely different genre of game, can't read the freaking article's title?
Star Wars: The Old Republic Hands-on Preview
pre·view also pre·vue play_w2("P0550000") (pr
vy
)
n.
1. An advance showing, as of a movie or art exhibition, to which a selected audience is invited before public presentation begins.
2. An advance viewing or exhibition, especially the presentation of several scenes advertising a forthcoming movie; a trailer.
3. An introductory or preliminary message, sample, or overview; a foretaste.
tr.v. pre·viewed also pre·vued, pre·view·ing also pre·vu·ing, pre·views also pre·vues
1. To view or exhibit in advance.
2. To provide a preliminary sample or overview of: The professor previewed the course for us.
re·view play_w2("R0207500") (r
v. re·viewed, re·view·ing, re·views
v.tr.
1. To look over, study, or examine again.
2. To consider retrospectively; look back on.
3. To examine with an eye to criticism or correction: reviewed the research findings.
4. To write or give a critical report on (a new work or performance, for example).
5. Law To reexamine (an action or determination) judicially, especially in a higher court, in order to correct possible errors.
6. To subject to a formal inspection, especially a military inspection.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
Ah so cute......
Very important stuff this is yes....
Guess we all get to know what SWTOR is really about when its released.
Until then....Adiós!
Agree wholeheartedly with what you say about their being 'Light leaning Sith' and 'Dark leaning Jedi'.
However, the fact that a Jedi leans slightly to the 'dark side' needs to be recognised in the game mechanic - i.e. choosing to play your character in this manner also needs to be viable, have some use in the game.
For example:
I may choose to roleplay a Jedi Knight who has chosen to train a few 'Dark side' powers to make him interesting. However I find in I'm a completely gimped build and no-one wants me because the optimum builds (cookie cutter) are far more viable in PvP.
Also I don't want to find a situation where gaining dark side points for my Jedi Knight via my morale actions will not be useful and that lightside points are required to make the cookie cutter build and remain competitive.
its going to get complicated. Many variables and a combination of potential build options that should hopefully be viable - but as we all know from previous MMOs - more options = more difficult to balance = more flavour of the month builds.
This is a big challenge for Bioware given their single-player heritage - I'll be very interested to see how they will attempt to implement the complexity they promise to meet user's customisation desires while retaining class balance and viability in both PvE and PvP. Bioware haven't failed us yet - lets hope they pull a rabbit out of this hat - they definitely have the money to do it.
Yes well, a dark side Jedi should be viable as well of course.
Balancing both sides of alignment will indeed prove challenging, I guess theres quite a big task in testing the game, but then again, balancing is always hard.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
It isn't a review.
I'm saying the preview is inconsistent in its questions, not well informed and uninformative when it comes to telling about the experience he had.
You're a nostalgia fanbot of the old mmos that required you to peck through a solid brick wall with a teaspoon to reach something called fun.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
This is one thing that has always ruined MMOs for me. Why do I have to have a stupid cookie cutter build to remain competative? Why can't I be a high DPS Paladin with a shield or a Dark Jedi with force lightning? Instead I have to be the exact same thing as everyone else, I can't make a unique character that does things differently.
Customization and role playing are then sacrificed just so you can get a stupid party. Great. This is one reason people solo in MMOs nowadays...
Aye, it encourages people to not to suck. Ain't that shitty, yah?