ETA on Advanced Class change?

I don't disagree with you.

But I feel compelled to point out that this can also be said for respeccing a different tree for the same AC.

I leveled as a Sage dps (1/12/28 Hybrid). When I hit 50 I ended up joining a guild and they asked me to respec to heals. I read up on the forums, got advice, and went to Ilum to do dailies. I was so bad I couldn't keep Qyzen alive during trash pulls. It took a while before I was good enough to do dailies, longer yet to be able to heal flashpoints, and longer yet to heal operations.

Had AC swaps been available, and had my guild asked me to switch to a Shadow Tank (from a Sage dps) I would have run into the exact same problem and learning curve.

I don't think AC swaps are needed in this game, and I've expressed my reasons why. But "You won't know how to play your class" is not a valid reason, IMO, as the same problem already exists when you swap your skill tree around the first time.

I'd say most of the people posting on this thread have offered better contributions than your brilliant gem here. As a matter of fact, I have to wonder if you're just trolling as I've seen several well-though-out arguments.

I don't disagree with you.

But I feel compelled to point out that this can also be said for respeccing a different tree for the same AC.

I leveled as a Sage dps (1/12/28 Hybrid). When I hit 50 I ended up joining a guild and they asked me to respec to heals. I read up on the forums, got advice, and went to Ilum to do dailies. I was so bad I couldn't keep Qyzen alive during trash pulls. It took a while before I was good enough to do dailies, longer yet to be able to heal flashpoints, and longer yet to heal operations.

Had AC swaps been available, and had my guild asked me to switch to a Shadow Tank (from a Sage dps) I would have run into the exact same problem and learning curve.

I don't think AC swaps are needed in this game, and I've expressed my reasons why. But "You won't know how to play your class" is not a valid reason, IMO, as the same problem already exists when you swap your skill tree around the first time.

You know what, I think the devs can do something to solve this. Instead of choosing your class at character creation and then your advanced class after your origin planet. Lets just choose our advanced class on the creation screen. Ooh!, and let's call it a Class and just stop using the term Advanced Class altogether because it seems to be confusing people a lot.

This way we choose our Class like every other MMO out there and it should be pretty obvious that if you want to change your Class you should reroll. I know it won't stop ALL the stupid, but it should derail most of it.

BTW, gear QQing is going to happen anyway, so will having a tank/heal/dps in your group that has NO IDEA how to play their class regardless of leveling from scratch (unless they bought their toon? hmmm.....). That being said, it's still a bad idea. There are no BAD CLASSES, just bad players. If people are allowed to change class just because "I didn't realize my advanced class SUCKED" they'd NEVER LEARN HOW TO PLAY. They'd switch to a different class because they saw someone doing super awesome damage in a warzone and think "I wanna do that!" not realizing it's SKILL not CLASS. Then they'd say that class is broken because it doesn't work for them and switch to another, not ever staying long enough to actually learn their class.

"But we'd put restrictions to prevent that." Any restrictions would become eroded by the players crying for the change now. They'd get it, and after a while cry that they want less restrictions (having a permanent class choice is a restriction btw and you can see what's happening) and because they got it the first time they'd feel entitled to it again and again and again. And eventually there won't be any restrictions left. (Then they'd start complaining that ALL of the classes are to difficult to play and start demanding that BW make it easier, and that will KILL THIS GAME. )

"But why should there be any restrictions at all? I mean, it's not hurting anyone and more player choice is a good thing. I should be able to play how I want to damnit!" You're absolutely right! You should have choices in the game, choices that matter, choices that have meaning, that stick with you through your whole gaming experience.... wait I thought you wanted to get rid of a choice? Oh I see, but by that reasoning we should be able to go back and change decisions we made during our class story. You know, not kill whathisface, have a romance with that chick that you didn't flirt with because Elara was with you , etc. Also, why can't my maur dual wield with a pistol in one hand? I mean it fits her personality and back story, I should be able to play however I want, amiright? When will BW address this critical issue?! I've been waiting since Beta for this!!! Rawrrrrrr!!!! /sarcasm

Okay, that might have been over the top, but seriously, if it means THAT much to you- reroll. Don't want to reroll? Willing to spend CC on class change? BUY A FRICKING CHARACTER SLOT! Everyone wins. BW makes money, you get to try your pet class that you think is sooooo awesome, and we don't have to hear about it.

/thread (hopefully but not LIKELY )

I'd like the devs to address this. I've heard both yes for AC swapping and no, I want a more up to date clarification. If they tell everyone no to AC swapping, I'd be ok with it, but until that happens i'll continue to try fighting for it.

I said something similar earlier, but im more towards AC swapping where as it seems your not. Everyone wants to try to compare other games to this one and prove it so AC swapping is the same as class swapping when it isnt. The Trooper in a whole, is designed to play each and every role. Just because they want to give you a fancy name when you hit level 10 doesnt make you the trooper anymore, similar to the paladin. The paladin will always be the paladin no matter what spec he/she is, no matter what i do on my trooper im still the trooper. Why can my trooper not branch out to the other side? Other side meaning, if im a vanguard, why cant i just switch to a commando? Its still from the trooper.

I said something similar earlier, but im more towards AC swapping where as it seems your not. Everyone wants to try to compare other games to this one and prove it so AC swapping is the same as class swapping when it isnt. The Trooper in a whole, is designed to play each and every role. Just because they want to give you a fancy name when you hit level 10 doesnt make you the trooper anymore, similar to the paladin. The paladin will always be the paladin no matter what spec he/she is, no matter what i do on my trooper im still the trooper. Why can my trooper not branch out to the other side? Other side meaning, if im a vanguard, why cant i just switch to a commando? Its still from the trooper.

Are you saying that the devs are wrong when they say that different AC's are different classes? Are you saying that the devs are wrong when they say that changing AC's would amount to changing classes?

Because like it or not, this is a trinity game.

Tank
Heal
Dps

Vanguard is a Tank Or Dps
Commando is a Healer or Dps

SWTOR already, by default, gives us more options than other games.

I was a druid in wow because I loved utility classes. I liked being able to tank, dps or heal. Unfortunately, to keep the game balanced, I was never as good as a class that was native to any of those roles.

In SWTOR, There is no full hybrid class, WE ARE ALL HYBRIDS. The caveat - we have to pick 2 of the 3;Tank/Dps, Heal/Dps, Or Dps/Dps!

This is a BASIC GAME BALANCING mechanic. It will not change.

I feel bad some people are confused because the character select screen does not Say "Vangaurd, Sentinel, Shadow, etc"

But that does not change the basic mechanics, sorry. I give up attempting to explain it to you, I think you just want to have your cake and eat it too.

"If I can be a Vanguard AND a Commando, I can fill all roles and play however I need to" <- this is what you said your last post.

That will never happen. The basic premise of the advanced classes is to limit the trinity utilization to 2.