Differences between factions and/or classes

[DeaThLesS]

Hello community,
I'd like to ask some questions about the factions and their classes(couldn't find any answers on those).
First things first, are the classes between the same faction different in terms of skill/passives and/or starting stats/growth stats?For example, is there any difference between a hieron habicht ranger and a hieron sylvan elf ranger, except from the appearance?
Now I have the same question about the classes of opposing factions, any difference between a union and a hieron mage for example, except from the race specifics(if any).
Lastly, I'd like to know some things about the PvE(I will use Aion as an example as I was a huge fan of both PvE/PvP/PvPvE). As I understand there will be different kinds of arenas in the game where you compete for points to get pvp gear etc, as well as open world map for PvP and sieges kind like in Aion(correct me if I am wrong).
Now for the PvE part. Are there any "epic" or "elite" mobs out in the open with fix loot drops, that can be solo'ed with some kite or cc of some kind with the appropriate class, something like mage/ranger/paladin etc. What about rare spawns of a normal mob with increased chances of better loots of some kind? Is there any kind of fixed timer for those rare spawns, like 10-20 hours/a day etc. I suspect there will be raid bosses out in the open with both factions competing for those or are those only in instances? Now on the instances how punishing is the difficulty in terms of pulling mobs and tanking. For example on high lvl instances in Aion you had to be extra carefull about the pulls, cause of minion spawning/patrols/aggro chains and some devastating mages/rangers mobs which could threaten the damage dealers/healers if the pulls weren't carefull enough. In the revision I read that many mobs will now have usable skills like in Aion for attacks, cc etc that'll be swell!
I understand that the game is under a revision and many things are not known at the moment, but if someone plays/played on KOR/JP server and can confirm some of those , it would be awesome.

[⚔SLiver⚔]

There are no "Racials", so no, there's no difference (Actives & Passives don't exist by Race). Races only give you a different "Look", nothing more. Also, Factions give no special Bonuses either. The only thing hat matters Faction-wise is simple: where you live in the World. That's it.

There is no "PvP Gear" or "PvE Gear". Just Gear in general. There used to be a Set for each, but they were removed & only one exists now.

There are Tiers of Gear. So there isn't one Set that you'll just level until it's EndGame Gear. You will need to do certain things to achieve the EndGame Gear. There is also BiS (Best in Slot) Gear too. Most of which will come from Guild-Owned Territories. But I won't 'spoil' anymore in that area for you.

[Leiloni]

I can only answer some of these:

Classes are the same regardless of race or faction. Races for that matter are all the same and between factions they even look the same for the most part.

Arena, OWPvP, Siege PvP - yes these exist

Named Elite mobs - yes there's a lot it seems. I managed to kill one and after the 2nd kill it completed a Hunt quest and I got a blue drop. I think it was the blue item that you disenchant into Dragonballs. They're not easy to solo, though so it felt like an accomplishment once I did.

Rares - not sure about this, haven't played enough yet

Instances - not sure yet. I've only done the first one Heiron side and it was soloable as a Pally

[Flobby]

The only difference, I think (can't seal that tho) is as far as I have seen, the Endgame Armors are differently styled/themed for the factions.

[Leiloni]

Originally posted by Rae:

The only difference, I think (can't seal that tho) is as far as I have seen, the Endgame Armors are differently styled/themed for the factions.

Do you have examples somewhere?