So I was thinking about all of this respec business when I came to an epiphany. Who would benefit from optional respecs? Of course, it's the high end of dust players that benefit.

Stay with me here. Let's say we got to a point that Dust is really starting to shape up to what it is meant to be. PC is viable for indie and mega corps, we have more game modes to choose from, there's an open market, stuff is moderately balanced, there is effective matchmaking, etc. In general, Dust simply becomes more fun.

What is the problem with playing for a few more weeks to spec into something new? You see, if matchmaking is set up to where you enter a game that is solely gear of a particular meta level; then it would be perfectly viable to try out a new role at the lowest level and still do well. If you had half a brain, you would even have your core skills upgraded and still be at a slight advantage over newer players who are forced to use that gear.

There you have it, pro-respecers. Most of your "legitimate" complaints is the fact that trying out new roles is difficult with the current system. Right now, using anything but proto gear will get you stomped and lose money. Setting up a system where you can enter a game that restricts higher tiered gear would solve that problem. Give every weapon/suit/vehicle/module a MLT version with a BPO and it wouldn't even be a big dent in your wallet, while giving CCP some cash. Imagine if defenders in PC could even restrict the meta level of gear within their districts.

Once you consider this, it becomes clear that the only people who want optional respecs "RIGHT NAO DAMMIT" are the FotM chasers who want to be able to spec into the next OP thing without spending any effort.

So I say that CCP should focus on new player retention by fixing the matchmaking. If anything, give the newberries a respec out of the academy. No one else would need it if using MLT gear was viable for EVERYONE.

Besides, CCP won't be able to work effectively on rebalancing stuff to prevent FotM respecers. Right now they should be focusing on core game mechanics, matchmaking, and new content. We still don't have ratial variants for scouts, heavies, or vehicles yet. That stuff needs to be released and balanced out before we consider respecs.