The MMO Holy Trinity

[Morreion]

Community Spotlight: The Holy Trinity

Do you enjoy playing the Holy Trinity game mechanic?

Hybrid classes were introduced to alleviate some of the issues with the rigid holy trinity design, but it is quite true that most players will still try and figure out which of the classes available are the purest tank, healer, or DPS class, and those will be given preference in any sort of group activities. Age of Conan was a good example of this issue. The developers at Funcom sought to do things a bit differently and introduced many hybrid classes, and yet players still preferred the purest of any of the three archetypes for their group activities. Why choose a Dark Templar or Conqueror over a Guardian as the main tank? The latter two were certainly more versatile characters, but the Guardian could soak it up better than either, and so he was largely preferred for groups.

The holy trinity of tank/healer/damage-dealer has been remarkably tenacious in MMOs. I don't mind the system myself, though I tend to play hybrid classes. It is hard to separate this mechanic from the grouping/soloing debate, but setting that issue aside, the biggest criticism is that sometimes you can't find a healer or you can't find a tank. There are more flexible systems- skill-based comes to mind, where anybody can choose to train the healing skill. Allowing for flexible roles (say a melee type choosing whether he will be a tank/shield type or a DPS type for a particular play session) also can help.

Overall I do like the idea of specialization of group members that add up to an effective fighting force. But when you talk grouping, you run into other issues- you can't find that healer or the tank is terrible. So this issue inevitably is tied into other more complicated issues.

[Regolyth]

I tend to lean towards hybrid classes myself. I don't know why, but they always appeal to me, usually the archer at that (I don't know, I have this thing for archery). But in most games, I'll end up playing an archer and tank/healer hybrid. It always works out that way. And the third class is always melee DPS. Go figure.

Except for UO. That as the only exception. I played a caster most of the time there, with an archer/bard as my main alt.

[Loendal]

I find myself drawn to support classes. If I do wind up with a tankish character, I tend to think more along the lines of defense of self and others. I LOVE Rogues (Especially in DDO), but they tend to be a niche class needed for specific tasks after which they tend to become just another damage dealer. Pure damage output to me is plain old boring.

Popo was the ultimate support class. He could deal support damage with a DOT (AKA "Zot"), heal with a HOT (AKA "Backywards zot!"), and he could regen the Mana of those he traveled with ("Sparklies!"). He had Minor Crowd Control with Stuns ("Stunnilies") which was great for holding off the adds on occasion, and he did have Mezzes as well, but they were so weak they were nearly useless; there weren't enough points to give them any real oomph.

It WAS possible to solo with him and depending on resistance or weakness against Popo's magic, he could even do Oranges on occasion. I miss that little guy sometimes :')