This is really a problem with most MMORPGs I see. Outside of different skills nothing really sets apart the classes. They act the same, have a lot of the same animations and a lot of times don’t even fit their profession. One big idea I had was to create a unqiue system for each and every class.
Engineers – Now think, would an engineer fight with premade kits and turrets that he just sets down and they work? Realistically, no and engineer would be a tinker, someone who likes to revise and build on to things. Engineers also have an eye out for useable parts and can find and salvage them from the world. Other classes would either not see these part piles or would look like a pile of trash to them. These parts can then be used to edit and modify his turrets and kits to have different appearances and animations. Allowing much more customization to a class that feels rather bland as it.
Rangers- So you walk up to a small animal give it a treat now it will follow you around and even die for you for the rest of its life. Highly doubtful, a bond between a person and animal needs to be built on and earned. Pet’s will now earn experience along side their owners by fighting with them and small pet bonding activities ( only hunters can see them). These levels do not increase their actual level but increases their bond level which gives access to various customizations like slight AI changes and appearance.
Thief – For thieves they sure don’t act them them. A thief, although good hearted, would always be looking for ways to get away with something small. Currently there are a lot of closed prop chests in the world. Thieves would now be able to lock pick them open, turning them into a real chest for everyone to use. These lock pick skills can also be used on doors to create shortcuts for others to use. And last but not least, thief will be able to swipe small objects that are laying around while trying not to get caught ( if you do, you may need to fight a few lionguard or pay a fine ). These small objects hold no real value but just like other classes are the “currency” for animation and visual changes.
Elementalist – For scholars they don’t seem to like to research much. Mages have an eye for rare and hidden books containing many secrets and forgotten hidden spells. By finding books throughout the world, elementalists will be able to customize their spells slightly. These books contain many different ways to cast the same spell, allowing some visual creativity.
Necros – Just like ele’s they have an eye for books, but different ones. Ones that tend to summon ancient demons by simply opening them. These tombs allow the ability to replace some summons with different skins, and like rangers, possible small AI tweaks.
Warrior/Guardians – Honestly I have no idea what these would collect, all I could think of would be polishing armor and sharpening swords. Whatever it is, it would allow animation customization.
Things like this allow each class to really feel different, both in playstyle and in parties. While everyone runs by a bookshelf, an ele may stop to read a book or a theif spots a chest he can prop open for everyone else. Systems like this will really help set each profession apart from each other.
tl;dr – Each class can find or do something profession specific that allows further customization.
(edited by BetterMixMaster.8153)