New World will be a classless MMORPG. Instead of playing as a wizard and being stuck in that class forever, you can completely change your playstyle using various weapons. But does the system really only have advantages? The community is currently discussing this.
How does the New World system work? New World relies on a so-called classless game system. You can create a character and basically learn any playstyle with it.
Because at the start you don’t choose a class, but the equipment determines your gameplay as the MMO progresses:
- You can start with a sword/shield and a rapier and defeat all enemies in close combat.
- With the help of skill trees, you improve the weapons and unlock new active and passive abilities.
- If you want to change your playstyle later, you can simply equip a different weapon, such as a fire staff to use magic or a bow for ranged attacks.
- However, you will have to level the new weapons from scratch and unlock new abilities. You will have 11 different weapons available at release.
In addition to weapons, armor also plays a role. The weight class affects your mobility and dodge roll, while the various attributes favor certain weapons.
This system allows you to freely decide your playstyle and take on the role of tank or healer in dungeons without having to level a new character.
What about classes in MMORPGs? Those who must choose a fixed class during character creation are often forced into a role. As a hunter in WoW, you cannot take on the role of a tank or healer. Even fighting in close combat is not ideal for this class.
That’s why there are many proponents of the classless system. However, there is also criticism of this in the reddit community of New World.
Does the free playstyle lead to a fixed meta obligation?
What are players worried about? In several reddit threads, the topic of meta has been discussed in recent days. Some players fear that certain builds will prevail and thus overshadow other weapons. And players are firmly expecting a meta:
- LordShadowDM assumes a predetermined meta, regardless of how many weapons and options are still released: “No matter how many possibilities there are, there will always be a meta that players will easily find.”
- Noblebatterfly is even counting on reddit on a too-strong build: “I guarantee that a too-strong build will be found within the first month. It is simply impossible to consider everything, even in public betas.”
Of course, there is also a meta in MMORPGs with classes, but the system of New World is supposed to strengthen the meta theme even more. It’s significantly easier to level a new weapon than to create a new character, level them up, and equip them.
Another criticism of the classless system is also the identification with the character. Because some players are explicitly attached to their wizard or hunter, which is somewhat blurred by the lack of classes.
What do players praise? On the other hand, there is also much praise for the classless system. It can be much easier to expand, as balancing a new weapon is better than creating a completely new class.
Additionally, players never “fall out of the meta” with their character, as user Fizzee explains on reddit:
The great thing about New World and its balance is that anyone can switch to the meta build relatively easily. If a weapon combination proves to be better than others, you just grab one, train it, reset the attributes, and play it. It is not necessary to level a completely new character and go through a super-long gear process.
Meta builds exist in all games, balance can never be 100% correct in any game, but New World makes it less punishing for everyone by providing an easy way to switch to the meta.
Additionally, some praise that you can identify with a fixed character and do not constantly have to switch.
What do you think of the system of New World? What are your thoughts on the classless system? Feel free to participate in the survey and write something in the comments.
New World is scheduled to officially celebrate its release on September 28. However, there has been some criticism regarding the open beta. Some players are therefore concerned that there might be a last-minute postponement:
New World: After the open beta, players doubt the release in September
