It seems that the role of +1’ing and decapping is more or less solidified at this point. Being useful essentially means making correct decision on when to do one or the other (or even 1v1 if you can) – Which is true, and but it’s more of general PvP thing, as in every role has to make correct decisions to be useful. The thing that erks most “old timer” thieves, or at the very least me, is the lack of different roles – not exactly “we want to be more useful”, which can be countered by git gud/l2p/look at streamers and follow suit. Balance is due, but in my opinion, diversification is overdue.
(Now maybe I’m in the wrong to keep comparing to LoL… but here it goes anyways.)
Referencing LoL, they too have set-in-stone roles (top, mid, adc, sup, jungler). If you don’t like playing say top, you can try your hand at the other remaining 4 roles. Found that you love playing Mid? Great, but don’t like playing Akali, no problem choose another mid character among a myriad of them. Found that you like Zed mid, great, there’s a couple (at this point prolly 1-3 builds) with variation on items according to how the game is playing out) of builds out there that you can pick from. And while the roles are set-in-stone, there’s apox. 127 different champs (and a couple builds for each one).
Besides the vast diversity of champs for each role, I don’t think any champ remained at top of the tier for a role for too long – at the very least, a different champ would join the top tier for that role once in a while – which again adds to the diversity of things (you have ~3 options for playing a top tier champ – if that’s what you’re into). (Unlike, here in GW2, the thief has been in meta and continues to be in meta because it’s good at +1’ing and decapping – better than other arguably)
Yes the genres are different, and instead of having 127 champs we have 8(+1) classes. Yes, because it’s an MMORPG, those 8 classes will have somewhat of a specialization on which role they do (tanking/bunkering, roaming, kill, … ) or thinking more open-mindedly how they carry out those roles. What doesn’t make sense to me is why restrict classes to only 1-2 role(s)?
A while ago (good while ago), I made a post complaining that we couldn’t really zerg with the rest, I was met with “it’s not the thief’s role” or “go roll class X instead”. While it’s true that currently it’s not the role for thieves in WvW or that class X can do it better, why does it have to be so? What if “I” don’t like playing class X/Y/Z to fulfill that role (keep in mind we only have 8(+1 coming) and not all can fulfill all the roles). If the thief can zerg just like class X, and both are balanced (more or less, practically), what harm can it bring? Will class X become less viable/not meta? Nope, if it’s balanced. I honestly can’t think of a reason. Diversity in itself is harmless and neutral (just like proper Balance), if not beneficial when it’s lacked in almost it’s entirety (ex. only guards can bunker! only ele’s can kill! thieves roam! (no it’s not true, I know)). Unlike LoL, GW2 isn’t pumping out new clases every few months or so (used to be every few weeks for LoL). So, the only way GW2 can expand diversity within roles is to expand role diversity within classes – More balantly, to have more than 1 class accomplish role X, multiple classes will need to accomplish role X.
Currently the thief’s role is +1’ing and decapping. But why can’t there be more roles? Want to bunker? Let’s give the thief insane evades paired with survivability (good condi cleansing, good life regen, some passive defense (not too much since it’s about dodging but enough to not be 1 mistake = gg – again balanced with other classes – read last portion) at the expanse of damage – via traits and the weapon you pick. Want to duel? Let’s give a mixture of evades, stealth, and damage (balanced). Want to assassinate people, but risk being squished by a piece of paper? Here’s the big damage, some gap closing, and some stealth. Want to roam? Here’s a ton of mobility, but you can’t dish or take much damage. Want to support? Here’s a way for you to better spread your poisons (well, it exists, but, yeah.).
“But Zero Day, not all classes can do all roles!” – Yes, currently, but why does it have to be so? “To make classes unique!” – They can be unique, in how they fulfill the roles (ex. say Pure dodge thief bunker vs Passive heavy guardian bunker).
The reason it’s not happening tomorrow, or in one swift blow, is that there would need to be LOTS of reworking across all classes, to both balance and to diversify roles within classes. It’s an understandably big problem, or a hefty amount of work, so yeah it will take time. Do I believe it warrants 3 years and more? No. There’s been hundreds of suggestions for thief and I’m sure across all other classes as well, that can be partially used if there’s an issue with coming up with some. Does it require lots of work? Yes, get a productive dedicated group of people solely devoted to this – but this isn’t my issue as a gamer, it’s the developer’s issue or rather higher-ups that make groups/assign tasks. (Not trashing them, just being frank).
I feel like, that’s the high level issue at hand. As opposed to low level issues like “can’t 1v1” or “don’t have survivability”.
Hope I maintained coherency and articulated myself well enough. I hate writing long posts… I like trolling trolls more.
“Zero Day, you sound like an entitled brat for wanting to do more than 1 (or X, whatever you believe we can do) thing as a thief” – Not sure how, please explain. Last paragraph did note that it’s more of a class wide issue. I want to say, I’m more passionate (despite not playing for reasons) towards the game than entitled. I do wish to see it become that best kitten MMORPG out there, and this is the way I see it becoming better.
“But Zero Day, you can do lots of things with the thief, might not be meta but still viable” – Right, that’s why there’s the complaining about say “1v1’ing” or “survivibility”… “Git gud Zero Day to do those things” – F*** why am I arguing with the other voice inside my head that is trying to undermine what I’ve said, be gone inner self destructive troll.
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