In The Elder Scrolls Online, players and developers are intensely discussing the topic of class identity. Many players desire more uniqueness in their class. The developers respond to this while simultaneously doing the opposite.
How are the developers responding to the request? Gameplay Lead Rob Garret has published a lengthy post about class identity based on player feedback.
In it, he notes that fans are currently discussing the topic a lot, and the developers have also begun to ponder it. Therefore, he defines class identity for players through two areas:
- Power representation – What type of power the class can use (Necromancers use death magic, Templars use holy light).
- Gameplay patterns – Supporters can not only heal, but also shield, buff or apply healing over time. This also includes the resource that a specific class has available.
The developers emphasize that they want to give classes more of this identity back in the future. The goal should be to “fill any role with any class while maintaining the unique feel and appearance of each class”.
So what is the problem? The developers’ descriptions fit well into the picture of what players expect for their classes. Users on reddit also appreciate this, such as PvE StamDK:
Nice article, good to know that the developers understand what class identity is.
However, the second part of his statement makes the problem very clear:
It would be good if the changes on the test server do not implement exactly the opposite of this vision. But they do.
PvE StamDK is referring to the current changes that can be tested with Update 24 and the new DLC Dragonhold.
Changes to the Dragonknight Do Not Provide Identity
What is happening on the PTS? With Update 24, the Dragonknight should particularly regain a piece of its identity. However, the changes are not making players happy.
In the PTS forum, the user SilverPaws writes:
I cannot see how you want to give the Dragonknight “class identity” when you are nerfing the class’s key skills, the DoTs.
DKs were not strong in the first place and you are making the class useless.
On reddit, the user kriezek also complains about design decisions:
Dragonknights represent fire and fury. Now being able to throw stones does not quite fit for me as a knight or flames. It reminds me more of a troll.
The user Bug1oss also wonders why the stone thrown at enemies heals allies. That also would not fit the class.
What do players want? Many players demand that classes do not necessarily have to fulfill every role. They desire more special features for the classes that they have experienced from other Elder Scrolls games.
The user IAte9PriestessesAMA writes:
ESOs class system was completely new and an unnecessarily created obstacle for the franchise. The game is incredibly poor at capturing the iconic classes of an Elder Scrolls.
The user DragonNameRed wishes that the developers would first go back to the drawing board and completely redesign the classes.
[..]Valve has utilized a philosophy for Dota 2 and Team Fortress 2 for balance. Strengthens identity while making weaknesses harder. This is perfect for PvP and usually works in PvE.
Even though the text about class identities has been well received, it is now mainly up to the developers to implement this. Players on reddit agree on this.
What do you think about more class identity? And how do you see ESO evolving right now?
