Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

MMOGs almost always have class roles with the tried and true tank, healer, and damage dealer. Typically a player will choose their class based on which role he/she sees themselves playing when max level is achieved. The thinking typically goes like this: If I enjoy tanking or my group is short a tank, then I will level a tank and hope that the process of getting from one to max level isn’t too painful. With the amount of solo play and focus on PvP in Aion there seems to be a shift in the landscape. Players now have the luxury to choose the class they play for many reasons, not just the role they may fill at the endgame. Thus, the idea of play the class you like is becoming the standard not the exception.

 Show some class.

As you all know some classes are easier to level up. Whether it’s less downtime between fights or easier modes of transportation, some classes just have an edge over others during the “race” to max level. In Aion the classes with a heal button seem to do fairly well early in the game but there are mixed reviews later on. The damage dealers are a mixed bag. I’ve heard conflicted news about Gladiator and Assassin leveling speed, but high praise for Rangers at later levels. The classes seem to have their own sweet spots for leveling; the Cleric is easy mode early on while Rangers take a while to gather their speed. Overall Aion seems to keep the pace fairly even, though the real test is whether or not the class is fun to play while leveling.

Leveling and learning.

For the most part the leveling process is set up to allow players a gradual gathering of skills to practice and perfect as they reach the later game. If we logged in for the first time with 5 action bars filled up with skills we’d struggle mightily. This being said, does it really take hundreds of hours to learn how to play a class or are the developers just stretching out the content? The amount of time it takes to bring a character from the starting zone to the endgame is an issue for the first round of characters, but it really hits those wanting to level alts hard. If it takes considerable time to level an alt, people will be less likely to switch up their classes and bring another one through the process. The speed of leveling for the various classes may play a pivotal role in alt-making.

Where do you want to go today?

Aion is not for the weak at heart when it comes to leveling up to max level. The leveling in Aion is not a sprint to the end game it is a marathon. Ultimately this means that choosing a class to play is really an exercise in choosing a class to level. As we discussed in Speed Leveling or Sauntering there are many ways to gain experience and enjoy the game from different perspectives. The challenge is finding that blend of character class that one enjoys solo and during the leveling up process without painting oneself into a corner and not conducive to the desired end game. As discussed above, some classes level faster than others and may be the “easier” way to get to end game, but you don’t want to show up to the end game raids with a class you don’t enjoy.

 So how do you balance the choice between a leveling class and the role at end game? I have made a fairly radical shift in my thinking (I’m all edgy like that). In my previous MMOGs I chose the role that I anticipated wanting to play at end game. If I had my friends with me I would choose a class that would be complimentary to the group. If I was going solo I would choose a tank or healer because at end game I assumed I could always get a group. For Aion I leveled many classes into the teens and then decided to level a Spiritmaster as my main.

Here is my thinking; I like playing the Spiritmaster. Done and done. I have no idea if I will be able to hold my own in PvP, or contribute to any group play. Heck I may never get into a group, but I really doubt that. Aion seems to have done a good job of providing every class with a way to contribute to a group. Are you a slave to the group, do you choose what you think they will need, or do you choose your class for role playing or role filling reasons? Do you by chance choose your class based on fun?