Specializations and permanence of choice

Specializations and permanence of choice

in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns

Posted by: fluidmonolith.3584

fluidmonolith.3584

What? Another topic on specializations? Can’t we just wait for more official information?
Well, what I want to discuss here is something slightly different.

I am referring to the balance between permanent, meaningful choices and the convenience and versatility of impermanent choices.

We have been told that the upcoming HoT expansion that profession specializations can be switched at will when out of combat, just like traits. I question, however, whether this is the best way to handle it. What if specializations were a permanent choice? I will discuss briefly some considerations regarding the current implementation (as we know it) and an alternate implementation with permanent or semi-permanent specialization choices.

In the current implementation we are told we can change specialization at will. This is very convenient. I remember when you needed to visit a profession trainer to reset your trait points. Now that I can do it from anywhere, for free, as long as I am out of combat, I find a refreshing sense of freedom.

But what does it mean to specialize? It is to focus ones skills into a narrow niche and become an expert in that area. In World vs. World, when I gain WvW levels, I get generally-non-refundable points to spend on WvW-specific abilities. I can truly specialize in trebuchets or carrying supply or killing camp guards (atleast until I get so many levels that I max out all the skills…). I do not feel limited by the fact that I can’t reset these points. When I choose to specialize my Ranger as a Druid, am I really specializing? I can go back to being a Ranger whenever I want. So can every other Ranger. When we make a choice permanent, that choice has meaning – when it can be reversed at will, it does not.

However, to truly make specializations permanent would be a tough pill to swallow. What if I want to try out being a Druid but I don’t like it? What if I like it initially, but over a series of balance cycles, skills are changed and I start to dislike it?

I think it would be best to give additional weight to choosing a specialization so that it has meaning, but a truly permanent choice would be too inflexible. Instead, I propose a “semi-permanent” choice – one that can be reversed but is not trivial to do so. Perhaps it has a gold cost or a gem cost. Perhaps it has cooldown. Perhaps it can only be done in Lion’s Arch (these are all examples, but they are not necessarily good examples for making the choice semi-permanent). When my choice has weight, I can truly say “I am a specialist. I am a Druid” or “I am versatile. I am a Ranger”. Rather than being a Ranger/Druid whenever-I want-to-be. Just like everyone else.

But what are everyone else’s thoughts? Is it good to switch specializations whenever you want? Or do you also prefer some degree of permanence and meaning in this decision?

TLDR – specializations as a permanent or semi-permanent choice so that they have meaning – good idea? Or is it better to change them whenever you like for more convenience?

Maguuma
Astaxanthas (Revenant), Hepaticus (Engineer), Eosinophus (Thief)

Specializations and permanence of choice

in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns

Posted by: Knighthonor.4061

Knighthonor.4061

People getting caught up on the literal meaning of names of features.

Anet said it the self, this is their spin on Dual classes. Nothing about upgrading. This is the reason why we can switch between them. Because it’s their innovative spin on dual classes. And like dual classes in GW1, it was optional to use it or not.

Specializations and permanence of choice

in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns

Posted by: JoshuaRAWR.4653

JoshuaRAWR.4653

It needs to not be a permanent thing as i believe the developers have already stated that they plan to add more specializations in the future.

Warrior 80 | Guardian 80 | Ranger 80 | Engineer 80 |
Thief 80 | Elementalist 80 | Mesmer 80 | Necromancer 80 | Revenant TBA

Specializations and permanence of choice

in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns

Posted by: Knighthonor.4061

Knighthonor.4061

I don’t see the point of having a cost to it. What would be the point of that? Feelings are subjective. Not every player is going to get that same “FEELING” out of added a gold cost/gem cost to it.
Bad decision. If you want that feeling, feel free to delete some gold you have every time you switch Specializations . Just saying. You have that option.

Specializations and permanence of choice

in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns

Posted by: ODB.6891

ODB.6891

I was initially of the opinion that specializing should have some cost associated with it, but upon reflection…there is not any actual valid reason for there to be a cost.
1. The flexibility to adapt to content is a plus…with no downside.
2. Freedom for players is a plus…no real downside.
3. Those who like the druid more than the ranger…will play the druid more than the ranger…even without a cost. The same with any other specialization.
4. Restricting specialization with a cost or a cool down would only serve to frustrate players.

Specializations and permanence of choice

in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns

Posted by: Duke Blackrose.4981

Duke Blackrose.4981

I’m alright with it either way. I fully intend to make alts to cover every specialization (or at least a few specializations each), if only because I love alt’ing and I love coming up with new appearances.

Specializations and permanence of choice

in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns

Posted by: Lazaar.9123

Lazaar.9123

It’s not a permanent thing, it’s already been stated in interviews that you can swap between them when you like.

Specializations and permanence of choice

in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns

Posted by: Pandaman.4758

Pandaman.4758

A semi-permanent solution would be for you to pick your specialization, identify (and acquire) the gear best suited for that specialization, then trash the rest of your generalist gear; you can now claim to be a specialist by dint of having removed your ability to effectively switch back to other roles.

Everyone else can continue to enjoy the flexibility and you get to enjoy decisions with weight, so it’s a win-win for all.

Specializations and permanence of choice

in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns

Posted by: Dante.8456

Dante.8456

Specialisation comes with skill. You ‘specialise’ in your spec when you understand it fully or better than your other options. It has nothing to do with being forced to stay in that role.

Desolation EU
Guardian / WvW Enthusiast