Do you mean at release? New Ops might not be available day 1 but Im assuming they'll be patched in later.

Im not in a position to know if Im correct or not but Im assuming if this game had to be developed solely on subscription dollars things would stagnate for longer intervals.

While I agree with the posters who recommend finding a steady guild the trials presented by pugging raids with random people is a good way to hone your skills or keep them sharp.

With no plans of any kind of long term or emotional investment, no.

The Jawa movie thing in chat usually sparks a few chuckles.

There was a time when I could wipe on raid bosses all night and not get frustrated or discouraged but those days are long gone now. I wouldn't join a raid or party without the intent of seeing it through but people have less patience these days and Im not exactly going to fault them for it (ditching), especially if the rewards are subpar.

For s split second I felt the original "ooooohhh" I had when I watched the first trailers prior to the games release.

I cut it off because its not relevant. That's you and while I actually applaud you for your proactive approach and wish more people were like you not everyone is built that way and that's okay. In addition to "its this role doing bad crap that makes me not want to do it" you have those who say they would do it or at least try if they environment (ie the community) allowed for it which it doesn't seem to do in most cases. Most groups are comprised of pig headed elitists whether they've earned it or not.

Most issues in any group can be resolved with a shred of decency and a little communication. If things could be better, then they would be. Until then, we are all getting what we deserve.

Doesn't a tank expect the heals to heal and dps to dps? Not everyone is comfortable in the leadership role which is automatically assumed when one is a tank for obvious reasons. More people would try their hand at it if other members of the community/group were willing to break in a new tank and not be a jerk at the first sign of adversity but most puggers want a stress free ride, they want it now and they want it to be over as quickly as possible.

No, that's if you have weak dps to go with either a good tank or healer or both. Generally speaking, weak dps can be placed under the category of bad dps but when most people refer to "bad dps" they mean dps that dies needlessly in AoE, pulls instead of the tank or pulls extra mobs during a pull that wipes a group, etc etc. There are also plenty of scenarios where weak dps can wipe a group where boss fights are concerned. Your simpleton explanation is still playing the tanks/heals vs dps dichotomy when no dichotomy exists. Its a group effort. Saying dps is objectively the least valuable role, outside of being a poorly masked insult, isn't objective at all. Sure, great heals or great tanks can carry otherwise weak groups but the same could be said about great dps working with substandard tanks/heals so instead of tying it to a particular role for vanity purposes, its more honest to say great players lift up those around them regardless of role.

If the dps screws up and someone dies its the dps fault. I think most rational people filling dps roles would agree. Edit: On support roles: Its a team effort so every role is a support role.

When I say no one role is more important than the other its because all three roles need to be doing their jobs in the group for the run to go well. That doesn't mean any of them are beyond reproach if they aren't pulling their weight, which is what you seem to be advocating, again, in favor of tanks and heals. I wasn't replying to you specifically as more than one person has expressed the "woe is me QQQQ" about their personal decision to play a tank or healer so you can ease up on the paranoia but yeah, looking at your post, you are a classic case: "However, it is a thankless job for a player to do. Like healing, tanking is a support role. It is not all flash and bang like dpsing. Rarely are you thanked for doing your part right and spot on. However, if you screw up or that mighty dpser aggro's every mob within eye shot and dies, it is the tank or healer's fault. Tanking, like healing, is a mind set. You put the team before yourself. It takes a rock solid team oriented player to fulfill these roles. That and the responsibility that comes with these support roles is a big deterrence for many players. This is why you won't find many who can actually tank/heal or aspire to try it. Too much qqing and finger pointing by those who do not understand the tank/heal role or their purpose either. Dpsing is the "flash and bang" of MMOs, the tank and healer are not. " Get over it dude, you're not special for playing a tank.

Yes, it cuts both ways but while we are on opposite ends we are speaking the same language. My overarching point is its community as a whole to produce good players, not the game. You need to have those who are motivated to learn and willing to try and those who are patient and willing to teach. Both are in a minority at the moment it seems.

I don't necessarily disagree but I think group play is better fostered in an actual group doing real group content. Everything you listed above could easily be taught by a thoughtful and supporting group of players but maybe that's better suited for the guild environment because most pugs cant handle people who don't spacebar their way through every convo.