My argument stems from the numbers system that has time-tested to be proved a failure everytime it is employed. I don’t have yo show you gw2, ff or wow. I just have to pull a list of dead mmorpgs.
Understand that the concept of PvP in mmorpgs is really good but to execute it requires something that most definitely isn’t compatible with the numbers game mmorpgs try to put out. That system is failing. People want to join an mmorpg to match their skills not their numbers.
There is no dynamic play in a numbers game, there is just a race to the end and after that it’s a who strikes first to win.
FPS are superior because everyone is on the same level. Everyone had the same weapon but with different load outs. Skill is your only determining factor yet at the same time, in fps games, people usually complain about campers, people who basically spawn kill others. Over the years however, I’ve seen some rather creative plays in dealing with those low skilled people and the fun had by them doing so.
Mmorpgs tho, you slap on the latest legendary gear and boom, you’re now unkillable because of your bug numbers. Action combat has helped, yes. But. They still need to deal with the imbalance a numbers system causes.
Using new world’s stat system (not function) as an example we have strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence and focus. Increasing those stats provide bigger numbers for damage for specific weapons. You then have level based weapons which are level locked and faction tier locked in cases and provide even more numbers advantage. You also have legendary gear for an even more stupid numbers advantage. Where does it end?
If mmos were evolving, rather than numbers, the changes would be more towards a status effects type system where weapons deal damage but the effectiveness is handled by status effects rather than by raw numbers:
Strength: Influences the weapon weight class you may yield, eg: a weapon made from iron and one made from a near infinite density metal would require different strengths to yield.
Dexterity: Influences weapon stability such as when swinging a weapon, it won’t sway randomly mid-swing, when aiming a bow or musket, your breathing won’t jitter the sights too often, when cadting magic, the power won’t fluctuate as much
Consitution: Influences resistance to status effects. Like getting hit with poison won’t be as effective at 100 consitution vs 0 constitution.
Intelligence: Instead of increasing mana power, increase active spell forms number and tie it with focus stat to provide a chance of spell destabilising when more forms are used.
Focus: Should provide a bonus to maintaining stability of multiple spell forms and a small snap effect when trying to target an enemy.
^^^ those are just ideas and those ideas only work if the numbers system is removed.
Perfect World tried to have a strength requirement for higher level equipment but I won’t say it didn’t work, it was just limiting in that it forced strength into being a requirement rather than a choice.
Not everything that is heavier is always better. Fantasy is fantasy, enchantments should exist which lighten the weapon and provide effects like fire on a war hammer for a burning smash or something like that.