ETA on Advanced Class change?

We've been over it before more than once

You do know the basic function of a forum is place of discussion, not a place of laying down ultimatums?
I don't disagree on what the Devs said a month or two after the game was launched. I do disagree that this is a permanent state of affairs and they are unable to change their view.

I thought all force healing in SWTOR was done magically
My Powertech forgets how to do things on a regular basis when he swaps between Shield tech and Advanced Prototype. I find it more of a stretch to believe he would find it impossible to pick up a second pistol and blast away.

Me, personally? I wouldn't pay any money to get a character to end game. I only really play SWTOR for the levelling experience.
On the other other hand, I'm not opposed if another gamer out there who wants to get into end game PvP or OPs pays for it.

I never said that they were unable to change their views. In fact, I have repeatedly acknowledged that they CAN change their minds on this at any time. I simply pointed out that they have not, thankfully, changed their minds on this topic yet. I also pointed out that neither your opinion, nor mine will trump that of the devs.

Well, at least we [edit: nearly] agree on at least one thing in this thread
And, the intention isn't to trump the mindset of the Devs, it's to ask for clarification or in some cases to request further consideration of an idea. Most of all it's to discuss the merits of ideas between other forumites.
After all the original question of this lengthy thread was based on the last statement a Dev made about the issue of AC swapping.

A statement made well over a year ago, and one that may well have been nothing more than a "soft no". After all, we have seen the COSMETIC species changes implemented, but not the class changes which would be a change in fundamental mechanics. We have also not heard one word from the devs regarding class changes since that statement from over a year ago, despite over 450 pages in this thread alone.

I think the statement was what it was. I really doubt that the devs would consider floating a 'soft no' but their game plan on the role-out of features may change.

Cosmetic changes came out at a time when the appearance booth and the Cathar species were released. There has really been no associated function that mirrors that synergy of release (the closest would be the addition of more ACs to the classes). And, just to reiterate, allowing a player to swap over the AC of their character does not change in any way shape or form the underlying mechanics of the Class/Advanced Class/Specialisations abilities or impact on balance.

Devs only tend to comment if they are ready to. Would I like to see a Dev comment one way or the other on the matter, or even just say it was still on the wall of crazy. Sure But, I don't see that as a reason why I couldn't continue to discuss the benefits of allowing AC change, just as you are perfectly free to discuss the negatives.

Oh, hey look three weeks to the thread's first anniversary

Changing class IS a change in fundamental game play mechanics. Going from melee to ranged, tank to heals, stealth to no stealth, etc. It also affects balance in so far as FOTM is concerned.

I, too, would like to see a more definitive statement from the devs, but I doubt that we will ever see one since the devs will alienate one side of this topic or the other if they were to issue such a statement. As it is, the devs can sit on the fence, and those that wish to see class changes implemented are kept happy because they can continue to think that they "will" happen. We have already had multiple posters in this thread use that statement as definitive proof that the devs have said they will definitely allow class changes. Those that are against class changes are kept happy by the fact that class changes are still not allowed.

Maybe it's too complicated for you to grasp, but it's no different than switching trees around now or swapping to an alt character for others. Hell, one tree is SHARED between ACs even and EVERY base class skill is the same.

As far as FOTM is concerned, who the hell cares? Let players play whatever advanced class they like. Bioware is paid to manage balance, let em do their job, or do you have no faith in them? The more people who play one tree, the more obvious it'll be to them that adjustments need to be made...right? Wouldn't their metrics tell them something is out of whack?

Geezus man...this isn't freaking brain surgery...it's a video game meant to be enjoyed. If swapping ACs lets someone enjoy it longer, HOW does that impact you one bit? How is it ANY different than switching to an alt? It's silly to argue so vehemently against something so benign - it's as if you just WANT to argue for the sake of arguing.

The fundamental issue here is that some people see class difference as merely the base class. Personally, for me, each class has 2 entirely separate and very different classes within it, both very different play styles and skill sets required to function effectively. The AC is the class.

I am sorry, L55 PVP is full of people who don't know the arse end of their class from the front. Full of ungeared people who do nothing but gimp their teams in ranked. Allowing this will simply allow people without the patience or time to actually roll another class, and learn it in the process as they level it, to suddenly be thrown into a L55 situation and be utterly useless.

I agree totally, this is a game meant to be enjoyed, and what better way to enjoy playing a new class, than by learning how to play it as you level it.

On a side note, would it not be dev time far better spent, introducing a new AC for each class to give the whole game more variation and longevity? Win-win situation, people like me will end up buying 8 more character slots, the people who love class stories...might...get them for each new AC etc etc.

I don't think that's an unreasonable contention. I personally hope it is FAR down the road.

You do like to beat that "AC is class" point though, dont you

You all could have leveled multiple toons since this thread was created.