Ultimus
01-01-2005, 08:32 PM
Blizzard has stated that Hero Classes will be a way for a person to progress their character post-60. This could mean Hero Classes will be a sort of Alternate Advance system similar to Everquest's. They have also stated Hero Classes will NOT be for the casual gamer.
Additionally, Blizzard has stated that there is a certain balance to the game with which must be kept. As an illustration, nerfs occur because it is easier to weaken a certain class's aspect rather then buffing everyone then having to rebalance the entire other half of the game. This quote from Blizzard is very important as it directly pertains to Hero Classes.
World of Warcraft must keep a certain balance. The game is balance with the current setup we have. This can mean several possiblities regarding Hero Classes.
Possiblity One
Hero Classes will have very little effect on actual gameplay. They will have even less of an effect on gameplay then Talent Points do. I believe this scenario is the least likely for Hero Classes. It would be pointless to create something with little to nothing of an effect on gameplay
Possiblity Two
Another possibility is the concept could change entirely for Hero Classes. Hero Classes could become a new in itself. This would allow them to be balance with the rest of the classes in World of Warcraft. For those that play City of Heroes, it would be similar to the new Epic Archetypes. For those unaware, Epic Archtypes open up when a character reaches level 50 in City of Heroes. (The level cap) The Epic Archetypes are balance and do not overshadow the other classes in City Of Heroes. I feel this scenario is also unlikely but worth mentioning
The Real Possibility
This is the way I believe Hero Classes go. Hero Classes will be strictly made for high end content. High end content (Higher then what is currently available, bigger then Onyxia sort to speak) will be balance around Hero Classes. This content will be reserved for Power Gamers. Think back to the days of Everquest where you needed 300+ AA's and awesome gear to raid some of those high end areas.
Hero Classes will be a form of an Alternate Advance System. Each class will all have a base line of progression. Classes will distribute points in a tree (Similar to the Talent System) and their character will grow. Depending on what type of hero they become, is the path they take in the tree.
For example, every class will have a general starting tree. All classes must progress through this tree on their way to becoming a hero. Once they reach the second tree, the classes will then begin to branch of. Warriors will begin going in one direction, while Mages will begin going into another.
The third tree will consist of specialization. This tree will be what completely differentiates your hero from that of another hero of your same class. Thus, while one Warrior may become a Blademaster, another Warrior might become a Mountain King.
The final tree will be the racial tree. This tree change your hero based on your race. The racial tree will offer small perks (Sort of like racial abilities) and further differentiate heroes.
This progression will be a very long task. It will take a player approximately one year to max out themselves in every area of the hero. However, a player that grows in the hero tree will become very powerful. They will be much more powerful then other players and the current content we have now will be trivial to them. Hence, new content will be made designed specifically for heroes.
The new content will be raid content, instances, and special zones designed for heroes. This content would annilihate any class that does not possess the skills of a Hero. These areas is where the best equipment in the game will be dropping.
Hero Classes will make PVP imbalanced. A Hero will be easily a match for several players that are not heroes. The more you play the more you are rewarded, hopefully an honor system is put in to stop heroes from griefing constantly.
Additionally, Blizzard has stated that there is a certain balance to the game with which must be kept. As an illustration, nerfs occur because it is easier to weaken a certain class's aspect rather then buffing everyone then having to rebalance the entire other half of the game. This quote from Blizzard is very important as it directly pertains to Hero Classes.
World of Warcraft must keep a certain balance. The game is balance with the current setup we have. This can mean several possiblities regarding Hero Classes.
Possiblity One
Hero Classes will have very little effect on actual gameplay. They will have even less of an effect on gameplay then Talent Points do. I believe this scenario is the least likely for Hero Classes. It would be pointless to create something with little to nothing of an effect on gameplay
Possiblity Two
Another possibility is the concept could change entirely for Hero Classes. Hero Classes could become a new in itself. This would allow them to be balance with the rest of the classes in World of Warcraft. For those that play City of Heroes, it would be similar to the new Epic Archetypes. For those unaware, Epic Archtypes open up when a character reaches level 50 in City of Heroes. (The level cap) The Epic Archetypes are balance and do not overshadow the other classes in City Of Heroes. I feel this scenario is also unlikely but worth mentioning
The Real Possibility
This is the way I believe Hero Classes go. Hero Classes will be strictly made for high end content. High end content (Higher then what is currently available, bigger then Onyxia sort to speak) will be balance around Hero Classes. This content will be reserved for Power Gamers. Think back to the days of Everquest where you needed 300+ AA's and awesome gear to raid some of those high end areas.
Hero Classes will be a form of an Alternate Advance System. Each class will all have a base line of progression. Classes will distribute points in a tree (Similar to the Talent System) and their character will grow. Depending on what type of hero they become, is the path they take in the tree.
For example, every class will have a general starting tree. All classes must progress through this tree on their way to becoming a hero. Once they reach the second tree, the classes will then begin to branch of. Warriors will begin going in one direction, while Mages will begin going into another.
The third tree will consist of specialization. This tree will be what completely differentiates your hero from that of another hero of your same class. Thus, while one Warrior may become a Blademaster, another Warrior might become a Mountain King.
The final tree will be the racial tree. This tree change your hero based on your race. The racial tree will offer small perks (Sort of like racial abilities) and further differentiate heroes.
This progression will be a very long task. It will take a player approximately one year to max out themselves in every area of the hero. However, a player that grows in the hero tree will become very powerful. They will be much more powerful then other players and the current content we have now will be trivial to them. Hence, new content will be made designed specifically for heroes.
The new content will be raid content, instances, and special zones designed for heroes. This content would annilihate any class that does not possess the skills of a Hero. These areas is where the best equipment in the game will be dropping.
Hero Classes will make PVP imbalanced. A Hero will be easily a match for several players that are not heroes. The more you play the more you are rewarded, hopefully an honor system is put in to stop heroes from griefing constantly.