Where is this even being considered? If anything, I thought they might be considering the opposite since the game's so fast to 50 as-is. I have my main + an alt and I switch back and forth between them to do planets. (Skip every other one). Still level fast enough I can't do PVP or Space Missions... making a 3rd char for that in the future.

Either way the important trick is the GCD doesn't overlap with ANYTHING any more. Totally different space to gather this info.

I'm good with things as they are. I mean, I use the flashy thing we have now with no REAL problem. I just saw these snakes and thought if we had those (which they obviously already had code for at some point) -- or put GCD off to the side, we'd have no problems. And yeah... I figured post 1.2... after we get some content... come back to it. I'm totally with ya.

The idea came from this old video I stumbled upon, look around 6 minutes in for an example of what look like "snakes" wrapping around each ability for a GCD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGb_JqTlZn8 Neat huh? The first thing I thought was they were easier on the eyes than the current bright "wipe" styles that 1.1.4 will provide in 4 flavors. The problem I want to solve though is whether it's a "snake", or a "wipe" -- there is a collision of space. What the UI has to tell us without overlapping: When GCD is over When an ability cooldown is up When situational abilities are "available" (require a stun or conditional) *There's also the notion of "range" but this is clear in it's own unique space of "red" numbering. 1.1.4 will help... but you still can be blind (until the GCD is about half way through) as to whether a situational ability (#3) can be used. GCD Option #5: GCD Snakes on all abilities This finally would separate (#1 from #2 and #3). -- A GCD like the video, but cooldowns and availability as we have them now. GCD Option #6: GCD in ONE spot, the Portrait Another option, my favorite! Get the GCD off all abilities and put it as a circular progression around our character portrait. Whether it is a "snake" or a "wipe" why do we need to see GCD's on every ability? How about a single spot where it's less annoying, and we can instead use peripheral vision to "feel" or know when it's up... EXAMPLE: Something like this, maybe brighter / bolder ( I just color matched ): https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f78kTIsMEz6j_Gj5MNqmvUvjbLOkZx5U1ot-Xoa1ZAY?feat=directlink (The yellow arrow is just for clarity, not part of the GUI.) I'm open to any other ideas that avoid this "collision" of space I'm talking about and this spot seemed like an easy place to integrate it. You won't offend me if don't like my idea or have a better one, I just thought I'd get the ball rolling.

Practically, meaning nearly or almost... yes the game is practically playing itself for you. If I didn't receive rest XP at ALL.... I would have more content to go through, more time I got to play.... before I hit 50. This is what I mean. Rest XP is the game effectively leveling me when I take a break. Might be an even better word choice No one said I was picky, but I changed the word to 'practically' from 'literally' before anyone followed up with a post. I too am sensitive to people using that word incorrectly. Don't resent it. I don't resent that people that enjoy the end game as-is. There is a reason SO MANY games have a fundamental principle rooted in level.... For a lot of people, this is the biggest indicator of progress and something to strive towards completing. I happen to find it the most fun. Why shouldn't I have an option to play the game in a fashion I enjoy, if it doesn't affect your style? I'm sure you're enjoying both. I think we have to? This isn't anything like any other MMO I've played before. Never have I said after 3 weeks of my casual play... boy, I should roll an alt if I want to stretch this out... And that's ok. I'm making due, but it could be better I think. I'm with you on rolling the grey quests, I would-- but in order for me to enjoy "gaming" -- and again, this might be me, I like two things: A clear meaningful sense of progress At least a moderate challenge from time to time And I get close with what I'm doing now. I have 1 alt and I skip every other planet. [MAIN/ALT/MAIN] I'm simultaneously leveling them to 50. When you do this and complete all the content on each planet and do one run through each FlashPoint, you just about stay on level, or only go 1 over. (But still no room for PVP or SpaceQuests -- going to roll a 3rd for this). This actually makes all the quests and flashpoints played at the actual "target level" the developer lists them as... they're actually AWESOME at the right level. A word of warning: You will die if you don't use all your tricks on a regular basis and watch what you're doing... companions are actually a must! I get 2.5% of my bar outside a Cantina each night, or dead. I measured it. As a casual player, in MY playing... I always am rested. Always. Everything I kill counts for double. Everything. Is this a SUPER SERIOUS problem? No. It's the reason why I'm on here attempting to make a well thought out case for changing something that is: Easy to implement Doesn't affect people that don't want it Thanks for closing like this. I too hope my clarifications find you well, or better than my first post. It can be difficult on the forums to take things the right way when we differ in opinion. I might like things done differently in this game, but try to make sure anything I suggest is done in a way that opens options without closing them for others....

The Background: The orbital stations are all the rage.... having to walk through them all the time... and then all the rage ensues with the replies to those threads. The problem is a little more broader reaching in scope, but the solution is easier than you would think. The Real Problem: The problem really boils down to knowing where you're going and what you want to do, but not being able to get to it. Being unnaturally hindered by long, linear designs. It's easiest to catch what I mean in Nar Shaada. You know you want to go from point A to point B. It's nothing but long, straight hallways. There's no chance you'll uncover or discover something along the way other than a crafting node. Then when you're done, it's time to do the exact reverse, unless your quick travel is up. The problem still exists, but more subtly on the more "open" planets like Balmorra and Alderaan. You'll find yourself limited largely to sticking to the "path" since the landscape limits where you can walk so greatly. Why can't I get up here? Oh, that's right I have to run all the way around to the ELEVATOR. An Example of an hour of Gameplay, near Level 30: ... All the while, every time... I was limited where I could use my speeder, I was walking through airlock after airlock and just traveling from point A to point B with no real content along the way. The Easy Solution: The game is fine though as is (other than maybe gutting Airlocks & Orbitals). You made it like this. It's OK for a 1-50 Experience. The suggestion though? Make your new future content more open. Allow more exploration, and find a way for it to be rewarding to players. Open up new planets, or flesh out existing ones with Mixed Level Hunting Areas, Points of Interest and Quests... (so people mix and match and even come back to planets). Planets get some size & life, and we reduce the linear nature of the game. You may not all be like me, but I love MMO's which have given those of us with the "E" for explorer in our make-up, something to cheer about!

I've not played any of these 3, but I see where your concerns are coming from with respect to game longevity and how it ties in here. I too will rest on this thread (unless I just can't help myself) and end with: I'm in favor of allowing advanced class changes but WAY MORE in favor of them fleshing out the advanced classes to be more unique in ability and story, and have a better selection of leveling content. (Thus asserting them more fully as independent classes.) Good talking with you all--

Just so you know, I too care about the longevity of this game. I wanted to touch on this in full. I care a lot. I was posting in my first week of play that the leveling speed was too fast. Why was my character always receiving rest XP even logging off outside cantinas? Why didn't I have the option to dabble more widely in all the game's systems with just one character? Why was I out-leveling content? Why were people hitting 50 in the first week? Why after just 2 months can the -average- person obtain it very easily? I don't like when I can see the end so fast. It's why I have alts. My main is still just 33 and I've been in before release. There are far better things they can do, or could have done to improve the length of time people could play before getting "bored". But they didn't. They probably have some good plans is what I figure. It'd be killer like I suggested in my other post if we really saw all 8 "classes" as you call them really take on a life of their own. That'd be spot on, because you're right... AC's really are totally different entities in some respects. They have a lot more doing they can still do in this regard. But, even if they don't, I don't feel like changing an AC is going to impact longevity of the game that drastically (my opinion of course).

Welcome to the suggestion forums. I largely find a better quality of life though anywhere but "general". I've thought about making a suggestion to delete the general forum. Every game I've played that forum attracts trolls, trouble and something else that starts with a T. (I don't know what).

The difference in this example is that you and I probably agree that either option, is a bad one. In our discussion here on Advanced AC, we do not agree. It's your opinion. I think it is a base spec, not an advanced class. You and I just can't help that we perceive this differently. And when it comes to MMOs, well, some people want something new, and others want more of the same with light sabers. It's hard to say what approach to take. I'd rather see a lot of things done differently to make me more passionately desire to play this game, kind of like I did when I first got exposed to the genre, so I really hear you.... but, you and I might be the minority here. The majority may largely like seeing the same style of MMO, but with voice acting.

You know, that'd be fine. I'd like to see 8 classes. Not 4 classes with 2 "advancement" areas in each. Then I'd probably like to see 16 character creation slots too, if I like my legacy to reach everything (all 16 options) and have it all be playable on one server where I amassed my wealth. Then, they also need to probably beef up their story and options a bit, with some alternative areas to level, not the same linear path with detours in the space shooter and pvp. It would really be cool. Really would. I just think at the rate we're going, asking for the option to change our advanced spec would be easier to pull off.

@ VanorDM: I see the reason for your concern, but I mean, at the end of the day, people do what they want to do with the tools and options that are given to them. I remember in WoW (I was in an active guild then) so-and-so was known to only DPS, so-and-so was collecting gear for two specs. Some guilds have problems actually where they DON'T want you collecting gear for two specs. Some encourage it. Again, this comes down to people, and choice. More options. More choice. I like where you're coming from on impact and gravity of decisions. This is cool stuff. But, it already is so watered down. Everyone wants to be the best and everyone wants to be perfect. So devs in MMOs at some point have allowed respec'ing, dual spec'ing and etc. for whatever reasons. It's the way it is. *Edit: The desire of players to be perfect and having options to "redo" the otherwise permanent choices led to the normal "state" of MMO systems as they are, in the present day. And you can trust me when I say I'm really fine with a "harder" version of things. I've deleted my character in a little old MMO called Asheron's Call. It took me a year to hit level 40. I deleted the character since I had gimped myself with character creation choices that were too big to ignore and I wanted to keep my special name, Lauski. But still. The industry has moved to where it is and I'm fine with that. Given that state, changing AC's makes just about as much sense... for all the reasons Taz and supporters have provided. It makes sense to me.

No activity here for a day, lil' bump.

I always thought they were for 4 republic and 4 imperial characters. Do we actually get 16 slots per server counting both sides? Or just the 8 I see currently when I log in. (I've only created Empire chars thus far).

Yeah, I'd be fine with that. Everyone has their reasons for wanting it fast, slow or the way it is. Me personally, end game raiding and whatever else they offer are far too limited and I want an enjoyable challenge other than button-pushing as I level. I really like that I have heard that you need help to be able to pull off your main class quest @ 50. This game seems to only be a fair challenge (and I'm not insane, I don't need it stupid hard--) very early in the game, and very late. This is when your level most closely aligns with the "recommended level" of the quest, or you are under it. Probably not a coincidence.

Come on now. It's a suggestion form. You want to turn it off? I agree with the OP, but I'm fine if the idea isn't implemented, I said that. Let's not badger one another. That was the main point of that post.

I'd say you have a shot so long as we post in the thread. It is less noisy than general, and I find far fewer trolls click on any online gaming forum that doesn't say "GENERAL" at the top of it. Your idea has actually already been put in the suggestion box a couple of times by myself and others. I'm pretty sure Bioware has at least examined the RestXP at this point and said ok, should people outside cantinas be getting as much as they are? Should characters get it while dead? Can we allow an option to turn it off? Etc. When I first posted about this early in the game development, I was met with some harsh resistance, but I created a thread that probably got decent viewing (intended). Wait and see what happens. I think as people play on in the game, more will realize what a problem fast rest XP is. SWTOR is not like other games. Your alts, your main, etc... you don't need rest XP to ameliorate the pain of grinding mobs to level. SWTOR is actually fun to play through the content and there's tons of it. No rest XP is needed, and not everyone yearns to get to 50 as soon as they can.

Are you talking about the "overwhelming response" in other threads? I mean here and I've read every post here... it's about 3 on 3 by my count of people that have weighed in somewhat regularly. And, we were having a discussion. [-100 LightSide] to you for taking it up notch to the "attack" level with this post at the OP. I was a little surprised to see this come from you given your discussion up to that point. If you're right and the community as a whole isn't in favor of this idea, too bad then (for us that want the change*), no problem. You too, should accept that whatever Bioware decides to do in this game be it popular or not as part of the game. Partake in what you will, and if the game as a whole loses appeal, then play something else. But always be respectful of one another in the community. The General Forums have enough negative energy for the entire forums. NINJAEDIT*

Nope. You still get rest xp outside cantinas and even if you kill yourself before logging off. This game favors making alts. The problem only amplifies with more than one character. The game is PRACTICALLY playing itself for you with all this rested XP and a lot of people would rather PLAY the game instead of getting to 50 ASAP and walking around with nothing to do. Edit* Better word choice for picky people.

You've gone pretty deep in this one aspect... and I'll pick on it, but follow-up with a good question for you. I'm pretty sure that BioWare, as any MMO developer, would give the attention to detail to every single option in this game. You needn't worry about that. Just look at WoW in later years... I remember their patch notes providing specific changes--- listing & calling each of the specs out, as if they were different classes. This patch, Feral Druid DPS adjusted to bla bla bla. etc. I'm sure we can expect the same thing here. Quality adjustments to wherever adjusting is needed. At ===> Any ===> Point in the specialization / class choice. But here's my question... we've discussed lots of things here. You've spoken to many points. What's your main underlying, fundamental (if I may ) reason that you're in opposition to allowing AC Change? -- If you could narrow it down to one?

Yeah, fair enough then Inarai, to disagree. And the same with Lokiliesmith. Great though to find intelligent people to discuss game mechanics with. I completely see where you're both coming from. A little more beefing up the leveling options in this game down the road and I'd probably go from where I am now: "It'd be nice to change AC's". to: "Eh, I don't really care one way or the other* any more".

Right then, I hope I didn't offend you. My usage of the word "crazy" was implying that I "figured" that they wanted to design the game around 8, not that I thought it actually was crazy. Don't know about that Inarai. Maybe not in any other MMO, but they definitely push that envelope here. It is their BIGGEST feature. The newest, latest greatest, arguably BEST thing that separates this game from any other MMO. It's all they talk about in their press releases and online videos.

Quick? I dunno about "quick" buddy Looks like you're similar to me in your posts. Start it off and THEN you get going ... *clap* *clap* *clap* Great stuff. Very well thought-out. Didn't want to quote the whole thing for obvious reasons. I think you've somehow managed to hit on all of the reasons why IMO, it seems, I don't know... just a little off that you can NEVER change AC. I wonder what the response from the community would have been if they called it "Base Specialization" instead of "Advanced Class"?

Mmm, but see, it's interesting because they didn't. This is a new type of MMO, based on the story pillar. The "fourth" pillar of MMO's as they called it. They spent a lot of money on just this feature. It's arguably the biggest thing they brought to the table with the whole game. And there is nothing new here, running the same character class twice. We wouldn't be arguing at all if they made you make this choice at level 1, you're right. But then, I'd also have the expectation to a different story line. It doesn't seem crazy to think that they first came up with 8 "classes" actually, but realized they needed to lessen the amount of content writing by going with 4. Especially since this doubles when you need to write for republic and imperial. Either way, good discussion. I'm going to read the post above yours, looks like a good long post!

+1 Nice idea. Some might not flickering I guess, but they could run with this idea. Find other ways to visually differentiate the laser/saber animations outside the realm of color, while not being visually annoying/painful to those sensitive to flashing.