How customizable are your characters?

[Aquillion]

I was looking forwards to this game, but the main things that appeals to me about these tactics games is in-depth tinkering with my characters' builds between battles, so the reviews saying that the class system basically... isn't a class system at all are a bit alarming, or is just like one choice. That's not really "customization" at all.

Is there something to replace it? How much customization do you have over your characters, if any?

(For comparison, I completely bounced off the Tactics Ogre remake and Triangle Strategy, neither of which had nearly enough character customization to hold my interest.)

[AZCards]

4 base jobs. They can promote to 2 options. Each job has like 2 archetype skill trees. For an example rangers can have bows or crossbows specialized. Cavalier(Fighter) can be Sword/Board or 2h.

I suggest watching a video of gameplay so you can see the skill trees. I wasn't too impressed by them. I very much prefer how FFT/Fell Seal handles jobs.

[Aquillion]

Is there any ability to mix-and-match between the various options, or is it just a single choice and that's it, no further customization of your characters beyond equipment?

(And are there meaningful equipment choices, or is it just "wear the best thing available?")

[Dokuujin]

Originally posted by Aquillion:

Is there any ability to mix-and-match between the various options, or is it just a single choice and that's it, no further customization of your characters beyond equipment?

(And are there meaningful equipment choices, or is it just "wear the best thing available?")

I can't comment on being able to mix and match skills, I am entirely unsure, though the way the skill system is set up very much allows it, so if it's not currently implemented, it wont be hard for the devs to allow it if players ask, and they DO listen.

That said, I can comment on gear. Gear is the same as FFTactics - at least the original, not sure about War of the Lions. That is to say, Weapon and Armor are pretty much just "equip what's best", possibly with a few special exceptions, but there is an accessory slot that is purely build based rather than "best in slot".

[thebodynutritious]

I'm in the same boat as you are OP, in that BUILD VARIETY is the #1 reason I play these games. Four classes with two specializations each? Oof. Probably wouldn't have been as big of a letdown if this game hadn't been on my wishlist for four years! So each class took at least an entire year to develop?

[Dokuujin]

Originally posted by thebodynutritious:

I'm in the same boat as you are OP, in that BUILD VARIETY is the #1 reason I play these games. Four classes with two specializations each? Oof. Probably wouldn't have been as big of a letdown if this game hadn't been on my wishlist for four years! So each class took at least an entire year to develop?

I doubt each class took a year to develop, that's not the only thing in the game; but they have made comments about doing a lot of balance testing to make sure each class is perfect.

That said, gotta remember it's only a team of 4, and I think only one of them is a programmer, so ofc it's gonna take longer than most teams.

But yeah. Build variety just comes down class choice (4), sub class choice (2 per class), specialization (2 per sub class) and the accessory you equip.

There's not a LOT to work with, but if it helps your choices DO feel impactful. Each individual character choice feels like I makes a very clear impact on subsequent battles.

[AZCards]

I think some skills could be looked at like the point that adds 7 health...

I think skills should look stronger when they upgrade.

[Dokuujin]

Originally posted by AZCards:

I think some skills could be looked at like the point that adds 7 health...

I think skills should look stronger when they upgrade.

I don't disagree some things could use a buff. At least specifically the HP one, it should at least be enough to let your character take 1 extra attack, but the lowest damage I've ever seen is like 20, which is on the low end and way more than 7 xD

2 skill points to max it out to +14 and that's STILL not enough? Pretty silly.

We also REALLY need movement abilities that increase MOV instead of JMP on the melee units. My melee units almost never get hits off because by the time they get close to enemy troops, I've already won the battle.

Those are the only two skills that really have any kind of issue tho, at least for the initial 4 classes, I haven't seen sub classes yet.

[AZCards]

Originally posted by Dokuujin:

Originally posted by AZCards:

I think some skills could be looked at like the point that adds 7 health...

I think skills should look stronger when they upgrade.

I don't disagree some things could use a buff. At least specifically the HP one, it should at least be enough to let your character take 1 extra attack, but the lowest damage I've ever seen is like 20, which is on the low end and way more than 7 xD

2 skill points to max it out to +14 and that's STILL not enough? Pretty silly.

We also REALLY need movement abilities that increase MOV instead of JMP on the melee units. My melee units almost never get hits off because by the time they get close to enemy troops, I've already won the battle.

Those are the only two skills that really have any kind of issue tho, at least for the initial 4 classes, I haven't seen sub classes yet.

I agree. I was disappointed that the cavalier only received +spd. Which is actually not a good thing since if you rush them towards the enemy first, their range units will pick them off.

[Taylor Bair]

Hey Aquillion, Arcadian Atlas uses a class progression system (rather than a job change system similar to Fell Seal/FFT) - our classes are more like Ragnarok Online where you start with a core class (Cavalier, Ranger, Warmancer, or Apothecary) and promote them after devoting a certain number of Class Points into their various skill trees.

Each class has 2 skill tree options that you can mix and match between, as well as a general skill tree with stat buffs, movement skills, reaction skills, and support skills you can equip.

Promotions let you then select from two advanced classes for each core class (Cavalier to Ronin or Inquisitor, Ranger to Reaver or Hunter, Warmancer to Sorcerer or Druid, and Apothecary to Monk or Shaman), and these advanced classes each also have 2 skills trees and an additional general set of skills to choose from.

There's customization within the skill trees you select, equipment (as you can choose various weapons that buff elemental attacks, armor to increase resistances, and accessories to buff speed, evasion, attack power, etc.), and which advanced jobs you want to promote to (and then their skill trees).

[Aquillion]

Originally posted by Dokuujin:

2 skill points to max it out to +14 and that's STILL not enough? Pretty silly.

Skill points, like... Diablo 2 style? Where you get one per level or somesuch?

[Dokuujin]

Originally posted by Aquillion:

Originally posted by Dokuujin:

2 skill points to max it out to +14 and that's STILL not enough? Pretty silly.

Skill points, like... Diablo 2 style? Where you get one per level or somesuch?

Yessir, 1 per level, each class has approximately 10-15 skills total, a lot of skills can have 2-3 points put in them. And a small handful of skills cost 2 or more points.

[Aquillion]

Ah... and I'm assuming there's no way to respec?

[Dokuujin]

Originally posted by Aquillion:

Ah... and I'm assuming there's no way to respec?

There are respecs, yes.

[dustin1280]

Main character respecs cost 1 command point and can be done in the tavern I believe.

Non-story characters, you are better of buying new and specing the way you want, as money comes in droves in this game and buying a new character is cheap.