Can someone explain this.

I've heard rumors (and they are just that) that the passive tree revision could potentially streamline (I'm reading that as reducing its size), or expand it. Are you able to give an indication of which direction GGG is taking it right now?

If not, I totally understand, I'm just curious... and hoping it gets bigger.

The size of the tree won't be reduced (if anything it'll probably get a bit bigger). The current tree has a bunch of balance, complexity, and diversification issues that need to be sorted out. The goal is to make the tree simpler and easier to understand while maintaining the freedom and customization. It's such a hugely complex task that I think we'll see the passive tree go through at least 2 or 3 more major revisions all the way through open beta.

Sounds a lot like Rift's way of going about it. Only different there is 3 trees to pick from and you can't reach the end in any one of them without making a crap build.

If i would have to guess what´s going on behind the szenes:

that could be how the startpositions for different classes will be placed like ..

And all those adds 3% of x, 3% of x,5% of x and 7% of x buttons could be combined in one with up to 4 points in it that adds up the complete bonus
That way different classes would be real different compared to how many points they need to get passives x and y while still most of it is in range for a build. And stacking those passives would ease and speed up the learning of this monster.

Still i like the actual one very much. Even 1000 passives would be ok if it is implemented the right way. And that´s what they are working on i guess. Keep it complex while every class has viable skills in range and let it look easy for newbies ;)

Edit: And as i got permission to post it here is a big actual one .. downsized from like 5.5x6k but still highrez
https://rapidshare.com/files/2160770394/all3.png

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tpapp157 wrote:

The size of the tree won't be reduced (if anything it'll probably get a bit bigger). The current tree has a bunch of balance, complexity, and diversification issues that need to be sorted out. The goal is to make the tree simpler and easier to understand while maintaining the freedom and customization. It's such a hugely complex task that I think we'll see the passive tree go through at least 2 or 3 more major revisions all the way through open beta.

That's great to hear! It's a huge task trying to balance such a big network. Thankfully, other than really majorly broken builds and skills, a little imbalance will be fine. Especially if they keep shifting balance around the tree, to keep people on their toes.

An idea to actually get the tree to be a bit smaller is to add lvl's to the passives you pick. Since alot of passives repeat themselves it would be easyer if you could just put 3 points in say mana regen instead of picking mana regen 3 times seperatly.

Hard to say!

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Th3K1ll4ND wrote:

An idea to actually get the tree to be a bit smaller is to add lvl's to the passives you pick. Since alot of passives repeat themselves it would be easyer if you could just put 3 points in say mana regen instead of picking mana regen 3 times seperatly.

what i said ;) stacking them

so, is there going to be a cookie cutter build for most toons, or does the tree look pretty balanced ?

Haha most intimidating picture ever