One of the biggest barriers to this game is, in my opinion, the skill system. Points are not easily or quickly acquired and much of the weapons and suits don't show any real promise until at least the 3rd skill level. I understand not having an easily accessed skill respec, as it would mean players could change their role on the fly (and therefore give high-SP players an advantage in ALL battles). However, a scaling skill respec wouldn't be amiss, especially for new players.

Many of the weapons in the game don't have comparable fellows in other FPS multiplayer games. I'd like to try out things like the scrambler rifle, or the laser rifle, but won't because I'd be locked into that or simply have a good chunk of points burned into something I'll never use if I don't like the weapon class. Secondarily, every time hotfixes and complete overhauls occur, the individual changes alone can make or break whatever class you're in.

I've played maybe twice since the massive May 6th update. I absolutely hate the changes to the class I used prior to the update, and feel my points have been largely wasted. I have requested a respec, of course, but I have no doubt that this will be a continual problem as the game evolves. And I am one of the players who've put actual money into the game. I'd have put more into it this weekend, except I have very strong doubts I'll want to play this for much longer (and my #1 problem is the lack of respec).

Lastly, for every person complaining about various weapons being OP (and we have ALL done it), a respec offers a simple solution. If a weapon is OP and being heavily used, you simply change your skills to compensate for it. It allows for player-based responses to 'OP' weapons rather than needing CCCP to tweak things on a constant basis. (Plus, I suspect most people claiming OP weapons could skill into them and see for themselves that they aren't, putting down a big chunk of complaints.)

My suggestion: a respec system that is extremely expensive (ISK-wise) after the first use. And every time you use it, doubles or more. Eventually, you'd never be able to get enough ISK to afford even a single respec.



A postscript: I searched and didn't find a topic for this, so if it exists, please move my post there. I never seem to find what I'm looking for with the search system.

whats this academy u speak of? ive been with my corp since beggining. and a bi-annual respec would be nice...sort of like the pilots get for how quick they acquire skills

Although I'm strictly against a skill point respec option because this would just be against all gaming principles of CCP (risk vs reward & choices with real consequences) I do think that at least while in the Academy, new players should have this option once they drop out of the academy.
DUST is already hard enough for people who aren't familiar with CCP's game design at all but I also think there is no need to hit them with the "NO-Second-Chance Stick" right away.

Players below a certain amount of lifetime WP have access to some kind of "academy mode" exclusively for them. I'm not sure how it works beyond that.

I like this idea better. Anything more than this, and Dust 514 becomes p2w, whether it's isk or rmt.

Although I'm strictly against a skill point respec option because this would just be against all gaming principles of CCP (risk vs reward & choices with real consequences) I do think that at least while in the Academy, new players should have this option once they drop out of the academy.
DUST is already hard enough for people who aren't familiar with CCP's game design at all but I also think there is no need to hit them with the "NO-Second-Chance Stick" right away.

Quite simply, this is the most appropriate and reasonable option, but I'd modify it. Make it exactly like attribute respecs in EVE: you start the game with two, and after you use the second it has a 12 month cooldown. This would enable newbies to try different things and not feel locked into something, as well as allowing long-time players to mix things up and decide to try something entirely new later on.

Tying it to isk or aurum would not be appropriate, and as another pointed out, effectively make Dust pay-to-win. Once the economies are completely linked and/or once PvE content is introduced, isk acquisition will be trivial, and so the ability to just purchase a respec whenever it's needed, even if prices slowly increase, would simply let you spec whatever was needed for your target in the corp battles.

The neural remap system from EVE is probably the perfect option here.

Even this much, though, is a concession that isn't really needed (except for very early when players are still learning and experimenting), as there is no upper cap to the SP and skills you can have. Bought a skill you decide you don't want? No big, just earn some more SP and train another skill. In the past CCP hasn't even offered SP refunds when they change a skill in such a way that you no longer want it (I'm still bitter about wasted SP on Ethnic Relations, since it no longer serves any purpose unless you're a sissy corp that can defend itself). There's really just no need in a game that doesn't have a max limit on what you can train in the end.

I support a respec option only until CCP learns how to tweak balance changes. As it is they make such ridiculously large swings that at any given time what some of us spec into can and will be nerfed into utterly useless oblivion. At which point you're stuck in an absolutely dead-end build for the next 6 months with no recourse.

The only safe spec is Assault/AR.

No respec. Ever.
If you fail at understanding game mechanics - its your own personal fault. Like you do in EVE.
This is harsh game that requires you to actualy think what you are doing now and in 6-12-24 months futher.
If you want to try something out - create an alt.
If you don't understand game (starter / newbie) after some time - recreate character.
This game is not for "i've played 3 months Assault, got bored / suck, now i will be playing heavy effortless"
Use calculators, spreadsheets, brains... This is what EVE:DUST about, not mindless trying things out.
You can't imagine how many failed characters already in EVE, people who skill into Science for half a year and than skilled into combat character. If its fine and working in EVE it should be the same in DUST.

CCP failed HARD offering TWO, DAMN TWO respecs in a row... How can you fail your character if you already had TWO respecs? This way CCP gave people hope for whine/cry/pay for respecs that never happened in EVE for 10 years...

You know, the vast majority of people I hear this from are EVE players. The people who want some kind of respec, even limited, are the ones coming over from other FPS games. And I guarantee you, most of us have zero interest in spending hours with calculators and spreadsheets to figure out what skills work best for us, if only because you are not going to know how those skills actually operate in battle until you've used them. RTS is a whole different kind of game, where calculators and spreadsheets work amazingly well for what you're doing. For one thing, you aren't as big a variable in EVE as in an FPS. An EVE ship will work the same in the hands of another player with the same skills. Strategy, of course, will decide the game, but it's not going to play differently. A shotgun, on the other hand, will.

Furthermore, name one console FPS game that has lasted 10 years. We don't plan ahead that far because there's never been a need. And if Dust creates that need, people will just go elsewhere.

Basically, should CCCP create artificial barriers to entry and retention, or should they lower them in an attempt to compete with other games on the market? Purity serves no purpose if this game gets shelved within a year because it has fewer regular players than two year-old games.

Agree 100%. This is not Eve and frankly I don't care how things are done in Eve, if I wanted to do things the "Eve way" I would go play Eve. This game is is not drawing from the same player base as Eve for the most part, this game is for the most part drawing from the same player base as BF and COD and with the way things are now this game WILL NOT be able to compete in the long run. Console FPS gamers are a very finicky bunch and are not the type to sit and wait for something so to speak. Those of you that are trying to make this game just like Eve are going to be what kills this game.