ETA on Advanced Class change?

I have to ask, what do you expect to accomplish by this line of argument?

We've established that a Vanguard and a Commando are different. In a thread that is largely devoted to whether or not AC respec is something that belongs in a game, you're focusing on semantics. Class. Tree. Spec.

Whatever you call it, you currently CANNOT change from a Vanguard to a Commando.

If you think you should be able to, make an argument as to why this would be a good thing, and beneficial for the game. The fact that you keep arguing about nomenclature speaks as to a lack of a REASON as to why you want this.

Fair enough, but in my defense I was trying to explain why it would benefit the game until others started comparing other games then the whole argument broke if ACs were there own classes or not.

Getting back on topic, I think AC swapping would be great for the game, with some restrictions. That way it keeps it fair without making it P2W or having a FOTM. We have all put time into our characters, some of us are unhappy with them. In other games its simple, reroll. But in this game theres another option, to switch AC which isnt a stretch. Its not like switching classes. You still get your default abilities from selecting your class you picked at 1 then unique abilities for picking your AC, that being said you lose the unique abilities from picking that AC to gain different unique abilities for picking the other AC but all within the same base class.

Sorry, I forgot to answer your first question. I wasnt hoping to accomplish anything, I was just explaining my point of view, as well as taking in others. I like this subject, and wanted to hear more opinions is all.

I wanted to make it clear that IMO I think the Advanced Class is unique enough to be considered a different class. Though perhaps not designed that way, nor directly presented that way (debatable) I think the playing style is different enough that all arguments to this point are moot...In my eyes they are unique enough to be considered a class.

That does not mean I am against the early change, or even the late change, though I'm not wild about the late change idea. Early change, however, is something they allowed in the past and have indicated they will probably add back in soon. Hopefully it will be early on IMO.

I think it's fine to correct a mistake in the choice. I'm not sure it's ok to allow it in the late game.

I would also add that they could have saved quite a bit of confusion if they had called this an advanced ROLE, which is probably how it was designed. Poorly named, much like calling alignment "light or dark side" instead of "light or dark alignment".

So you would have had Class, Advanced Role and Spec within that advanced role.

and yet again, you are conveniently forgetting the more important distinction that is somewhat unique to this game.

STORY.

this game is extremely character centric, story centric.

this is why changing between stories let alone factions is not even in the same ballpark as changing within the same story, but different specializations. call them classes if you want, but just like orange and apple is not the same fruit - comparing vanguard and jugg is not even close to the same as comparing jugg and marauder.

aka - your argument is flawed. yet again.

Thank you.

One point that others have made, which I feel bears repeating here, is the idea of the "slippery slope"

Let's say we come to an accord on what would be an adequate restriction for AC swap to be implemented. Immediately following that implementation would be people arguing that the stipulated restrictions were too much and should be relaxed. This is a nature of an internet forum and MMOs.

Now, being an altoholic, I find the leveling process too easy to require an AC swap. Such a thing would be of no benefit for me. For this reason, I try to not argue too hard against the AC swap, because it comes from a biased position (i.e. "I don't need one").

However, I believe that most people would agree that unrestricted AC swapping has many downsides. Some would say that the moment you relax the restriction of "can't swap" to "sometimes swap", more people will pile on that and argue in favor of "sometimes more frequently swap", eventually landing on "swap anytime"

I see, and I am too an "altoholic" so I would have no problem rerolling, the only thing that drives me away from it is the fact that all my hard work and fancy things I have on one character wouldnt be on my new one. And I just have a hard time seeing why its a big deal to allow atleast 1 AC change per character so people can find joy in a character they spent time in already. There has been no hard statements on if AC swaps will happen or not, so thats why Im fighting for it right now.

Well that depends on what you consider a "solid" statement.

There is the statement made by Bioware in the Duffy interview shortly after the F2P launch in which they state they have talking seriously about allowing AC change recently and they feel it is going to happen. They do not think faction change will happen any time soon however.

My guess is they are waiting and paying attention to these forums about it and seeing if it'll be good or bad.

You seem to think that your list of which AC has what makes some points. All it leads to is "Yeah, so?"

I'm basically in a similar boat. I currently have 14 characters. with a minimum of one per each advanced specs, some of the favorites - twice. leveling a new character is NOT an issue for me. and I don't see myself changing ac even if it gets implemented EVEN on my shadow (whom I'm thinking of maybe having another go, probably change her appearance completely and play her differently) but just because its not particularly useful for me is no reason to deny it to others.

yes we should be careful with a slippery slope, especially since bioware have shown themselves capable of going down that path, however... some things are simply not feasible (like changing from one story to the other, they can't/won't even implement gender change within the same story due to multitude of flags, changing stories is out of the question)

but the thing about advanced class is that for the most part - its pretty arbitrary. it changes your playstyle, but so does using a different skill tree. its technically a different class because it comes with different talents, but its the same story, the same basic class, using the same main stat and majority of the secondary stats (in fact - I'd have easier time switching from dps operative to sniper, then I would switching from dps operative to healing one - gearwise) and with exception of warriors/knights - same armor rating. even some of the same shared abilities (orbital strike and death from above being personal favorites)

so the only reason I'm pro limitations, including it not being available at max level is BECAUSE of possibility of a slippery slope. in my opinion at least, it should be about second chances, not min maxing and/or chasing FOTM