I'm really interested to see what Bungie does. I thought Skyrim had a really innovative (albeit executed so-so) "be who you want by doing it" model, but the fact that they've added classes into the game makes me think that model has been eliminated in favor of a skill tree type system.
I think the tried-and-true skill tree model can be done really well, but you really have to contemplate balance. The only thing that makes skill tree elements vanilla is when some skills have little or no use, and only a few "builds" are utilized by players. That wouldn't be so great.
Also, I think the fallout Perk system is a really awesome thing to add into games. Not so much the system from Fallout 3 and New Vegas, where perks added significant combat bonuses to your character, but the perk system of Fallout 1 and 2, which were more screwball-style things that made your character truly unique, and ensured that interactions and situations always played out in a unique way.
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I would have to agree that skills that are not useful kind of bring down the excitement that come with skill trees. I really like when every skill is useful and I have to decide which one I want to go with, because it narrows down even further which route I want to take within a specific specialization.
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There is hope that with only 3 classes, each branch of the hypothetical skill tree could lead to class specialization. So you could choose between being a well-rounded character within your class, or to go in a skilled specialist and team member. That may solve the problem?
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That could possibly solve the problem. That is kind of what I was thinking. Like Skyrim when you can choose between however many skills there where, which you could make your self a rounded character with skill in heavy armor and light armor, two-handed weapons, one-handed weapons, and archery ect... WoW is similar in the sense that you can chose between 3 trees fully specialize in one skill set, but if you choose too you can select some other skills from the other 2 tress if you had the points to do so.