Did you intend for that to be ironic? Happy accident? Or are you just forum pvp'ing? I'll move along if this thread is just a time-waster on your lunch break or something similar.

Given the frequency with which you respond to pretty much anything, I have a hard time believing that you actually consider the opinions of people who disagree with you 'inconsequential'.

I think the objection is to the restriction implicit in the word 'dual'. It just implies you'd be limited to two as opposed to multiple. My $0.02.

Rather than dual spec as its implemented in other games (eg WoW) this... ...would get my vote.

Agree with the OP. The loading screens, while not a deal breaker, can be on the annoying side.

Its really about all you can do. /shrug and move on.

It sounds less like you're trying understand and more like you're pronouncing judgement. I don't fully understand the complaints about lack of immersion either. And that's ok. The validity or lack thereof doesn't depend on my understanding.

I think, rather than actually arguing to change minds, people are trying to shout down differing points of view. It was pretty apparent when the discussion turned towards which dev comment was most relevant that neither side had much in the way of a solid argument either for against AC swapping just based on that alone. But how many pages did that take up? A dozen? More? It took 'silly' to a whole new level and gave new meaning to intellectual dishonesty. Just two sides of an argument, frantically grasping for something to shut the other side up. At this point, it's pretty apparent that neither side is going to change their mind any time soon. I respect your opinion about AC swapping even if I don't share it. I don't share it mostly because I don't attach the same significance to AC's that most people against AC swapping do.

Respectfully suggesting that you've read waaaay too much into the 'theme' of my posts. I'll clarify: If BW/EA decided not to add AC swap ever, I'd still level the characters I plan on leveling based on the interests I have and the stories I want to see. I might not stay sub'd as long as I would otherwise, but in the grand scheme of things, that's probably not a huge deal for either party (BW/EA or myself). If, on the other hand, they decided in favor of adding such a feature, I'd abuse it mercilessly (by which I mean I'd probably swap a couple times a month depending on my mood). The characters that I had lost interest might seem more appealing if I were allowed to play them a different way as I saw fit. I don't group a lot, and so wouldn't be an undue burden on anyone else. I'm cool with it either way - I just disagree that AC equates to class. And now, I'm gonna slowly back away because you, my friend, are wrapped to tight for living.

Living with the consequences of my actions isn't very threatening. I do that every day. Just for grins though, go back and reread my posts without your 'WOAHENTITLEMENT!!111!' glasses on. I'm pretty sure I was clear on the fact that I don't have a problem with leveling the characters I planned on leveling.

And there are multiple in RIFT. Look, I get it - you see SWTOR classes and AC's as synonomous. Others may or may not share that point of view. I personally don't. Why do react so aggressively and get so threatened when someone simply disagrees with you?

I disagree that AC = class. Assuming you're referring to WoW, I do have the ability to swap from rDPS, to heals, to mDPS, to tank all on one character. I see AC more as a restriction between roles as opposed to classes and, if that's the objection of the majority (not being allowed to swap roles at will), that's fine - I just disagree that the restriction is necessary or even all that desirable.

I'd probably start that thread pretty much as soon as they announced what the restrictions would be.

I think the difference between myself and most of the other people who post in these threads is that I don't really attach the same significance to the AC. It just seems like restriction for restriction's sake. I think leveling new characters should be something you want to do as opposed to something you're forced into because you made a bad choice and, having swapped once already, the cost is too prohibitive. I'll level and play (at least intermittently) the characters I have planned with or without AC swapping. The ability to do that just doesn't enter into the 'roll an alt' equation for me.

Mark me down as one of those people who just doesn't see the point of allowing AC swapping if there's a huge, recurring cost and/or cooldown associated with it. A steep, one-time cost on a per character basis? Sure, especially if its tied to the Market and can generate some revenue. Small, recurring cost also tied to the CM to generate revenue? Ok - probably wouldn't be my preference, but sure. Punitive cost and cooldown? Not very appealing. I have a set number of characters that I'm willing to level up. That won't change with or without AC swapping. What could keep my interest longer is the ability to swap back and forth between AC's at will.

I choose to interpret it as the devs not having anything of importance to say on the topic at this point. You guys have devoted pages of back and forth in the other thread to what basically amounts to trying to shout down the other guy when neither of you have any clue about the devs actual intention. Pretty silly. @ the OP: I think AC swapping is a great idea, and would love to see it implemented in SWTOR.

I'll never understand the pushback on these requests. Pretty sure he's not asking to completely do away with double xp, just allow those who don't wish to participate a way to toggle it off at will.

And what I'm saying is that people will level whatever number of characters they feel comfortable leveling. Trying to force them to level more is just an exercise in frustration for everyone involved. The reason to level more characters is because you like to play more characters and don't like to focus on one at a time, or you like a particular story line and want to experience it again. Not because you're tied to an archaic and inflexible spec system. You asked what reason is there to level more characters after reaching endgame with AC swapping? There are literally a metric truckload or reasons to level more characters. None of which is very convenient for your argument. In short, I really doubt you're going to keep more people than you'll lose by not introducing AC swapping. Nope, I don't. The gist of my argument boils down to allowing more choice. It just seems like restriction for restriction's sake. If you admit that swapping from heals to dps isn't a big deal, why not go all the way? Who gets hurt? And how much money does BW/EA stand to make in the Cartel Market? Well its a good thing that no one is asking for that then! Seriously, no one is asking for BW to go all in and allow full hybridization. You're right, the game isn't balanced for that. Which is why I tried to get you to focus on roles instead. Because that's where the comparison works.

Just so I understand and don't strawman you, you're saying that its easier to xp your way to 55 via PVP or Tactical FP grinding, so we need to make sure to force people to grind more? I get that MMO's are traditionally all about the treadmill. I just disagree that people will be turned off faster by providing a feature that allows for more customizability. If anything, they'll be forced to grind more end game gear to satisfy multiple specs. Which is all AC swapping really boils down to. The ability to swap roles. In that sense, I would be arguing in the other direction from you - that the lack of options with regard to swapping roles is insufficient and therefore unhealthy for the long term viability of swotor. Its directly comparable in the sense that all AC swapping really amounts to is role switching. The ability to switch between dps, heal, and tank roles. That's exactly what Rift allowed and it would work just as well here as it worked there.

So the argument is that it has replay value. That's not a bad argument, but I think you over-estimate people's willingness to grind that content repeatedly. And I think you over-estimate how many people really want to see the story content with the only differentiator being an alternate AC. The class story itself doesn't change, just the playstyle. People make alts for a huge variety of reasons, I just don't think you cut out half of the alt-making population by allowing AC respecs. I'd guess you wouldn't reduce the amount of alts at all really. I can only speak for myself, but if AC respecs were allowed tomorrow, I'd still create and play all the alts that I have planned currently. So yeah, respectfully disagree. Rift. Rift had probably the most flexible class structure of any modern MMO. And it worked pretty well.

Can you maybe elaborate on that some more? Not seeing how its either counterproductive or a bad financial idea.

The biggest reason why I don't group as much as I did when I first started playing MMO's is that right there. Because my circumstances have changed pretty dramatically in the intervening 15ish years and I'm unwilling to force others to stop and wait every time I need to afk, which is a pretty common occurance these days.

Doubtful.

In the end, they all boil down to 'I don't want you to be able to play that way'. I've seen (and participated in a fair few of) the threads. None of which I have a problem with. I have a (tentative) plan that would get me to 16 characters - counting both factions - on my current server. I don't have a problem leveling or investing time into something.

Fair enough. I guess I just disagree with the premise that a better deal is needed for the monthly CC grants to subs. I think the 600 or so, that I get for being a subscriber plus authenticator (key fob yo!) is a decent enough bonus when you look at what you're limited to without a sub. I sub'd at release and quit after about 2 or so months. Just coming back to check it again out now and the only things I've felt compelled to buy from the market are the cargo hold/backpack upgrades, the combat respec and the rocket booster (because rocket booster!). That said, I guess I just don't share your contempt for the market. If there was something there that I'd get a kick out of and just couldn't live without, I'd open up my wallet for it. It's not that I think your plan is bad, but rather, I don't see the need for the extra coins just for being a sub.