Vanguard: Saga of Heroes

By Class customization i mean some kind of system that allows me to pick abilities/spells etc that will make me different to another character of the same class. (Talents in Wow, Mastery in WAR etc)

When last i played, circa GU5, they had silders for int, wis, str etc, which was great for certain classes, but i rolled a rogue and there was just one ideal path to take, which was max you dex for added dps.

Is there anything new , or what is planned and when is it coming?

I doubt it will come in the near future. Maybe is planned for the next Game Update. You should take a look on official forums, but I doubt they will ever do something like this. They are too few developers. Anyway the best place to know should be the official forums. In my opinion, this game really need some kind of customization like the one you say, most of modern mmorpgs have it.

The cleric has a pretty diverse mastery choice, with the different Gods he can worship. Shaman and Monks also get to choose specialties, but apart from that I don't think there is much specialization on offer or being talked about.

Originally posted by VultureSkull

By Class customization i mean some kind of system that allows me to pick abilities/spells etc that will make me different to another character of the same class. (Talents in Wow, Mastery in WAR etc)

When last i played, circa GU5, they had silders for int, wis, str etc, which was great for certain classes, but i rolled a rogue and there was just one ideal path to take, which was max you dex for added dps.

Is there anything new , or what is planned and when is it coming?

Some classes do, such as cleric mentioned above.  I think clerics have 5 different ways to go, and in the end, it really changes the abilities and play styles of that cleric.  For example, for some raid mobs, we really like a preservation cleric, and other raid mobs we really want a peace cleric.  If a cleric likes to solo their way up to 50, they will probably choose a War cleric.  Depending on what one picks, it affects the way the spec out and the gear they work for.

Shaman's have three types, Turgin, Hyatet (sp?) and the wolf type (forget the diety type).  Those three paths are very, very different from one another.  And within each, they can spec and gear for healing or damage.  Once again, depending on the encounter, each of these 3 sub categories can bring very, very different abilities to the fight.

Rangers are being upgraded in the near future to give folks a choice between Ranged abilities and Melee abilities.  Rangers are really looking forward to this as many folks pick rangers to fight with a bow.

Other differentiators can be seen in classes like the Bloodmage.  I have one and I've changed my approach three times..... we can spec out for critical damage, straight up healing, or try to work a balance.  The way I play my Bloodmage is the opposite of another guildie.  When both in the same raid, we complement each other perfectly.

There are probably a few other classes with sub-categories, but I only know a few well enough to speak to them.  Another consideration for differentiating the classes is the race that one picks.  All races have certain racial abilities that are unique to them, they also have passive abilities that impact adventuring, crafting and diplomacy.

Originally posted by FischerBlack

The cleric has a pretty diverse mastery choice, with the different Gods he can worship. Shaman and Monks also get to choose specialties, but apart from that I don't think there is much specialization on offer or being talked about.

Specialization, in my view, tends to retard complex class customization.   Specialization, generally, means you have one of three choices.

People want dozens, hundreds, of class customization choices from appearance, skills, abilities, to developing your character's background and history.  Class customization is a MMORPG feature where there is much room for innovation.

Make a game with, basically, the same features of other MMORPGs and risk bankruptcy; people want something deeper, more complex, various options, and greater diversity. 

Eventually.

Originally posted by declaredemer

Originally posted by FischerBlack

The cleric has a pretty diverse mastery choice, with the different Gods he can worship. Shaman and Monks also get to choose specialties, but apart from that I don't think there is much specialization on offer or being talked about.

 

Specialization, in my view, tends to retard complex class customization.   Specialization, generally, means you have one of three choices.

 

People want dozens, hundreds, of class customization choices from appearance, skills, abilities, to developing your character's background and history.  Class customization is a MMORPG feature where there is much room for innovation.

 

Make a game with, basically, the same features of other MMORPGs and risk bankruptcy; people want something deeper, more complex, various options, and greater diversity. 

I agree entirely, and I love the quote below your name.  Vanguard's problem is that when I used to log onto my Ranger, I would get two shots in with my bow before I had to duke it out with a mob.  There were instances where kiting would work.  But usually those instances ended with me dead because I ran into another mob.  The reason I grew to disliking my Ranger so much is that I was FORCED to play a certain way.  When I think of playing a Ranger style character, I think, "me shoot bow, you die with my pet biting you".  I wasn't able to do that.  Not only does the Summonable pet only spawn for 12 minutes out of an hour, but when it dies (easily) it's gone for the remainder of that time.  In Vanguard there was no true customization to my class, I couldn't play how I wanted to.
 

To the subject at hand, and what I think declaredemer was saying, is that SOE couldn't manage to integrate the features needed.  Vanguard needs a diversified class-list, with each class being widely changeable itself.  Instead, they opted to go the easy route, and give the standardized classes, something most gamers who aren't playing WoW, aren't looking for.  What SOE needs to do, is undo the damage, and stand out from the crowd of MMOs dominating the market.  Problem being, I don't think SOE recognizes the potential of their own game.  Sadly, I really can't see the outcome being a positive for Vanguard.

*on a side note* Yes, I know that Rangers are getting the changes I wanted with the upcoming patches.  But, the problem lies in the general opinion of Vanguard with the gaming community.  It doesn't stand out enough to be looked at and said of, "That game's where I should go because it allows me to be myself".  That being said, if there does come a time where it looks as if SOE has come to their senses, I'll be back.  Until then I'll play my 360, and play my games how I want to play them.

Originally posted by TheHoweller

I agree entirely, and I love the quote below your name.  Vanguard's problem is that when I used to log onto my Ranger, I would get two shots in with my bow before I had to duke it out with a mob.  There were instances where kiting would work.  But usually those instances ended with me dead because I ran into another mob.  The reason I grew to disliking my Ranger so much is that I was FORCED to play a certain way.  When I think of playing a Ranger style character, I think, "me shoot bow, you die with my pet biting you".  I wasn't able to do that.  Not only does the Summonable pet only spawn for 12 minutes out of an hour, but when it dies (easily) it's gone for the remainder of that time.  In Vanguard there was no true customization to my class, I couldn't play how I wanted to.

Your description of "me shoot bow, you die with my pet biting you" is WOW's definition of a ranger, which doesn't show much of a choice or variety either.  VG is a decendent of EQ, and the AA system will likely to be implmented in the future, but not the WoW style skill trees.  If you expect VG to be revolutionary, you'll bond to be disappointed, as it is merely an evolution of the EQ world.

Originally posted by Zsari

Originally posted by TheHoweller

I agree entirely, and I lov