I've been noticing a lot of threads and polls in just about every variation of "what class will you be?" you can imagine. Even I have jumped onto the band wagon a bit, being very interested in playing certain combinations myself. But one thing that people don't seem to be talking about much is the fact that you are not stuck playing one class. You are given the ability to change classes, even mid-game.

I understand the benefit of having a character whose skills are all completely focused into one class, but I can also see the benefit of a player who can play more than one class. Being able to play two classes, or even just having one main class and a secondary class could be just as much of a help as the super-specific spec'd players. A soldier who can switch over to a medic if your team is getting hit hard might be a big help at times, even if you just add enough skills for the basic revive and heal. One thing that SD has said multiple times is that they are making the game such that someone new to the game is just as useful (with respect to skills and weapons) as high-level players. Which means that a medic, or any other class, with only the basic skills is still useful.

Its also possible that players may prefer different builds and classes for different maps, having completely different characters for each map. Even if its as simple as one character for defense and another for offense, its not hard to believe that someone would play multiple classes equally.

I'm not saying i expect to see many truly generalist characters, able to play any of the classes equally, but expecting to only play one class in Brink (let alone in each game) is really limiting yourself.

Um... We know? I mean, they've sort have been shuvin this information down our throats, and you come in here like you have some new details on gameplay. Ok, I sounded like a dike there, but I'm pretty sure the combo threads are just the pass the time.

Well, I think in clans people will mainly play their designated class and also focus on this one in public. Of course"Which body type will you choose?"-threads would make more sense, but who actually cares?

With a grand total of 16 characters I would hope people would try out every combination available. I know I will. :wink_smile:

My opinion exactly!

i'd be amazed if not at least 75% of all people playing it would try out every combination.
still you can have your preferences

Switching classes is key to victory, but a lot depends on your teammates. Still, changing class as an individual can have a huge difference. Most people who say that they are going to be f.e. Medic, will play that class most of the time because of personal preference. I rather have 3 skilled medics and 1 skilled engineer than 2 skilled Medics, 1 skilled engineer and one bad engineer who rocks at medic.

That's assuming that all of the maps require the same balance of classes at all times for the most success. If a map turns out to be best played with 2 medics and 2 engineers at the start, but 3 medics and 1 engineer after you complete the first couple of objectives, then having a player who can change classes and still be in their element would be beneficial.

And its easy to see how clans giving out designated classes would be a good idea, but they might be more effective with designated objectives. In container city, you might have an even distribution with two in each class, but have one of the players switch to engineer to take care of the crane, so that you can leave the two engineers guarding and repairing the bomb disposal unit. In which case, having a soldier who's a "bad engineer" would be better than that same player just focusing on soldier.

To make a long story short: It depends on soo many factors.

Assuming Splash Damage last game, the need of one person is all that is required for a task. So 2 of every class would most likely be the best set up. A kicker would be in body type which i shouldn't have to explain in as to how the three types effect the game.

I think the game sort of forces you to play them all every match for the greatest benefits.

Not really, you could stick as a single class and still be benefiting the team. Granted it may not help the prime objective along, but you will still be able to do something. Everyone will always have a job that can be done that would help the other players out.
The only time where a player would be forced to change class would be if the whole team was all the same class, but thats such an unlikely scenario.

Well, just because players could use all combinations doesn't mean they're necessarily going to enjoy the gameplay experience as those classes, or even size types. That and some people really don't have the attention span required to play something like a Medic or an Engineer.

I have no intention of making 12 characters and using them enough to get a good idea of how they play. I plan on starting off with 3 characters, each with a different main class and body type and getting a feel for the differences of each. I have no real interest in Engineers, so that's no problem for me, I may make one out of curiosity after a while, or just put a few skills into it to be able to switch over if need be.

But i plan to get a general idea of each class and body type, and I should be able to tell what builds will work or not, in addition to seeing what works in game.

8 Each! WOOT!

if this is about "8 for each faction" it's wrong, because every character can change between resistance and security without any problem.

if it's not, then i apologize and kindly ask what it is you meant?

No 16 for each faction. Every character has a resistance AND a Security look. If you do the maths, you'll be able to have 32 different looks.