ETA on Advanced Class change?

Again, that statement is ambiguous IMO...."we treated those as a full class". It's like saying "I treat my minivan like it's a truck".

IMO they need to come straight out and say "AC IS YOUR CLASS". That way it is undeniable, clear and beyond reproach. I would also recommend that they give ACs more meaning in the game, and reduce the focus on base class.

That statement, coupled with the fact that a powertech's class is listed "powertech" and not bounty hunter or even bounty hunter-powertech makes their stance much clearer than "I treat my minivan like it's a truck", IMO.

I agree, though, that a more direct statement would remove any remaining ambiguity.

We can agree on that.

You understand I'm not for AC change. I'm frustrated at the design of AC and that what I consider their ambiguity has caused...this thread and this movement.

To me the choice of AC lacks any real meaning like it should. It means something when you choose a class. It means next to nothing to me when you choose an AC. It's a gate to a playstyle and a set of abilities, nothing more unfortunately.

It should have more meaning IMO. I don't just want to choose to be a Sniper, I want to FEEL like I am a Sniper...no longer an Agent. I am now in the employ of the Empire as a professional assassin.

When I join the Army I choose to be an Infantryman. Then I go to Ranger school. From graduation day forward I am no longer a grunt...I am now a Ranger.

Below is a quick breakdown of the unique features of each stage for the Bounty Hunter, the class with which I have most familiarity with.

I can't help but feel if all but the name of the divisions were changed people would start to have less issue with the thought of an AC change and see it as little more than a change in the equipment and the skills assigned. Which is in effect all a re-specialization currently is.

Let's look at the bounty hunter story line.



Class : Bounty Hunter
Unique: Story, Appearance Options (facial tattoos for humans), Specific Armour (less of an issue now there's adaptable armour, Marauder/Juggernaut typically had an identical set of Medium/Heavy Armour to chose from as a reward), Companions, Spaceship, Titles, Main ability (A tanks need for Endurance as main is a feature of Specialisation not Class or Advanced Class, all BHs use Aim to some degree), 16 abilities.



Advanced Class : Powertech or Mercenary
Unique: Weapon choice, approx. 9~15 active skills (although duplication between ACs exists. The Powertech's 'Quell' ability is identical to the Mercenary's 'Disabling Shot' in all but range.)

Notice that it is advanced CLASS, not advanced spec. Now let's look at each of those advanced CLASSES.

Powertech

Tank, MELEE DPS
Single blaster pistol, shield or generator in off hand

Mercenary

Healer, RANGED DPS
Dual wielded blaster pistols




I can't help thinking that if BW made a few changes in how they presented the classes, people would realize that changing your AC is changing your class, even if your story line is not changed.



STORY : Bounty Hunter
Unique: Story, Appearance Options (facial tattoos for humans), Specific Armour (less of an issue now there's adaptable armour, Marauder/Juggernaut typically had an identical set of Medium/Heavy Armour to chose from as a reward), Companions, Spaceship, Titles, Main ability (A tanks need for Endurance as main is a feature of Specialisation not Class or Advanced Class, all BHs use Aim to some degree), 16 abilities.

CLASSES AVAILABLE:

Powertech

Tank, melee DPS
Single blaster pistol, shield or generator in off hand

Specializations available:
Shield Tech--tank
Advanced Prototype--DPS
Pyrotech--DPS(not identical to the mercenary Pyrotech tree)

Mercenary

Healer, ranged DPS
Dual wield blaster pistol

Specializations available:
Bodyguard--healer
Arsenal--DPS
Pyrotech--DPS (not identical to the Powertech Pyrotech tree)


I also can't help thinking that if people would stop trying to convince themselves and others that changing AC is not changing class, threads like these would likely never happen.

That's rather an extensive request. SWTOR was actually the first game in which Bioware had significant story differences based on class(though DA3 is supposedly heading more in that direction).

Merc/PT are not plain old classes, they are advanced classes. There are 4 classes with 2 advanced classes in each faction. Your continued claim to the contrary will not change that.

I think he's hoping that if he pretends long enough, it'll become true.

I think he isn't the one pretending.. According to Bioware there are 16 classes in this game.. Since Bioware is the only one with the authority to decide on what a class is.. They are right.. Anyone else is dreaming...

And completely missed the point of semantics I was trying to make

Just to clarify, I know that they are currently called Advanced Classes, I was suggesting that there would be less entrenched argument if the semantics fell on that second stage as a specialization and not one of advanced class.