Dual Spec. Still want it.

That's a few kilobytes per character for every character on every server. How much space would that require?

If you were to estimate a healthy playerbase of 500,000 players and gave them a healthy estimate of 50kb per spec saved, you'd need about 1.2 terabytes of storage space. That's about $100 bucks, cheaper if you shop around. If they can't afford that, we have major troubles.

First, I don't think it has to be an "either, or" situation. There is no need to eliminate field or quick respec to implement dual spec.

Second, the game suffers from more than one reason to need to save quickbar locations. I often find situations where I log in and my quickbar positions have changed for one reason or another, and have to reset them.

Third, this is an obvious QoL feature. I doubt it would impact the game in any bad way if it was implemented.


Finally, there is no reason to try and silence folks that do not think it is a good idea or is needed. Everyone has a right to express their opinion. You also have a right to not agree with them, but it is probably best not to put words in people's mouths.

No one person, unless they are a dev of course, has the final word on the issue.

You're right. Gonna stop arguing with people if I don't like what they say, just gonna give my input where I can.

I'm not sure it's that simple. I don't think it is just a space issue insofar as storage space. Recall that the devs noted that expanding our quest log was not just a storage space issue but that the increased storage also increased log in times, zoning times, and overall game performance because of the additional data that had to be recalled. I'm not making an excuse for them as this probably harkens back to one more problem with the Hero engine. But I'm just bringing this up because they may be having some performance issues when trying to implementing dual spec.

is storing some of the data client side rather than server side feasible? I know that UI presets are saved both on our harddrives and in game, so there's definitely mechanic in place already for saving presets and keeping copies on a player harddrive (and that's how people can share their UI with each other).

if i remember correctly - the issue with quest log was that it would send requests to the server every time you switched local maps, so I can see why it would cause lag. however - presets don't have to constantly be checked with the server, only when they are being switched.

and to be honest, I wouldn't even call it a dual spec. why limit ourselves to two? I have something like 10 UI presets (in part because SO and I prefer different setups and after we switched computers to play a few times, it now registers presets from both our accounts). I'm not seeing why spec presets should be limited to 2 either, unless limitations are necessary for technical reasons.

P.S. my luck with people waiting for me to switch was mixed. sometimes people wait. other times, its like they are not even looking at their chat and just sprint into action. and then there was a time when I joined a group for gree dailies, and normally I run that character as a tank, but they were looking for dps, so I literally had to change little by little between pulls (which wasn't much time at all - and yes they knew that I was normally a tank and would have to switch). so one click switch would be extremely helpful IMO.

This sums up my own feelings/wishes very well. I would very much like to have this kind of save/load functionality for respecs!

IMO, part of the problem in some of the discussion posts I've seen is simply the use of the 'dual spec' terminology. I don't think most people here are really opposed to this save/load a template concept (though a few are) but are thinking more of people asking for a more limited system than we already have. I want the convenience/ease of use of the dual-spec load/save with our current respec system. It's only logical to take what's already implemented and build on it.

Was possible at one time. I know Anarchy Online saved preferences/keybinds, UI position, and hotbar setting client side. I remember if I ever had to reinstall or log in from a friends house, unless I had the preferences text file, my UI and hotbars were a mess. Not sure if it's feasible these days, but it could be worth looking into to.

It's been almost a year. It would be nice to have some word or update. It's obviously a feature they want to implement. Maybe we'll get it with a new expansion... or something. Makes me wonder if they are looking in on the thread.

Well, This is something they could store client side if database space is an issue. It all depends on how it is saved currently.