Breakfast Topic: Would you play a neutral character?
by Robin Torres 
Aug 20th 2009 at 8:00AM
The Spawn and I had The Spousal Unit run Itchee the Gnome Warlock through Deadmines and now Itchee looks like a pirate. Yar! Though we are still doing the same warlocky things, The Spawn is now claiming that her character actually is a pirate -- which, as a pirate family, we encourage. But this reminded me of a conversation I had with TSU a while back. What if WoW had a playable neutral faction?
One of the great things about Star Wars Galaxies, when it was actually fun to play, was that you didn't have to fight much if you didn't want to. There were master artisans and merchant malls that were available for getting the best armor or outfitting your home or whatever. I would love to see WoW incorporate some of these aspects as well as some from other MMOs to make a more persistent world. And I think they could do this by introducing a neutral faction.
One of the great things about Star Wars Galaxies, when it was actually fun to play, was that you didn't have to fight much if you didn't want to. There were master artisans and merchant malls that were available for getting the best armor or outfitting your home or whatever. I would love to see WoW incorporate some of these aspects as well as some from other MMOs to make a more persistent world. And I think they could do this by introducing a neutral faction.
What I'd like to see:
- All Races: Just like the current Pirate NPCs, the neutral faction could be a ragtag representation of every playable race.
- Artisan Class: Players with this class would be able to learn 4 Primary Professions.
- Pirate Class: Much like the Mission Architect system of City of Heroes, Pirates could create quests for other players to complete.
- New professions: Merchant, Architect, etc. would be available for the Artisan class.
- Player Housing: The main neutral faction area would contain player housing as well as a bazaar for shopping the best crafted items on your server.
Would you want to play a neutral faction? What ways do you think it would be implemented? And would you enjoy leveling without fighting if that were an option?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Breakfast Topics, Factions, Classes
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
RetadinMan Aug 20th 2009 8:04AM
Depends on how it is implemented. If it is all CURRENT races, than sure. If it is "lol naga and murlocos lulz" then No.
Amaxe Aug 20th 2009 3:07PM
Would I do it? Sure. Is it going to happen? I kind of doubt it as it would probably disrupt the way pvp realms work.
nyctef Aug 20th 2009 7:02PM
4 professions? Access to both factions? Would make the perfect bank alt :)
Gimia Aug 20th 2009 7:54PM
@nyctef
I'm guessing the idea behind more professions to a single character is because of SWG (back when it was complex and people loved it). In SWG there were 23 professions if I remember correctly (now down to 9) and you could mix and match any way that you wanted to as long as you had enough skill points to spend. The system was hard to understand to beginners but it didn't take long to know how things worked, after all, I started playing it when I was only 13 and all the options were amazing to see.
Anyways back to the main point. The ability to specialize in many different areas (like how talents are currently) but with professions would be amazing to see with the only downside being balance issues from bonuses.
Meccaryn Aug 20th 2009 8:08AM
for my part - i'd say it depends greatly on the story they have to offer, the 'special' or unique feel they offer, and how their interaction with the rest
if being neutral = slave to whoever has the biggest muscle............... sorry, i'd pass
negativegirl Aug 20th 2009 11:00AM
definitely.
Teferi Aug 20th 2009 8:10AM
Imagine the possibility to "fall from grace" with your faction and being demoted to neutral....
fishjimboding Aug 20th 2009 2:37PM
Or, because you're exalted by so many factions, you gain neutrality with the opposing faction.
verdian Aug 20th 2009 9:53PM
Fall from grace? Could it please involve killing Fandral Toolhelm?
StabinOfTB Aug 20th 2009 8:11AM
this is a fantastic idea. I enjoy warcraft as is, but an extra faction that had things to do that did not involve raiding or leveling and alt would be interesting. Sometimes I just need a change of pace. And the Champions Online beta decided it hates my video card and gets eaten by little green blobs all over my screen. :)
Joester Aug 20th 2009 8:54AM
if your goign to have it something like this, miners well play The Sims They don't raid...
Chalmette Aug 20th 2009 9:20AM
Miners well?
If you meant to say "might as well" instead, that's something I've never seen before. Even though I miners well play the Sims, I'd rather not, in any case.
Grumpy Priest Aug 20th 2009 9:53AM
Surely, miners well play EVE Online, no?
Mr Angry Aug 20th 2009 10:51AM
Whoa hold up a second?
miners well??? hahahahahah
Aaron Aug 20th 2009 11:20AM
I miners well comment on how much of a tickle I got out of reading miners well.
Blacksheep Aug 20th 2009 11:41AM
Wow, when I first read that, I thought he oddly meant "miners will" like people who mine as a profession in WoW will play the Sims because they don't raid? Not that it made anymore sense, but that's how awful the grammar/spelling/misused word was. Stop texting and learn how to read & write kiddies, or you will end up like this unfortunate soul lol :p
Amun Aug 20th 2009 5:06PM
I like him, he's a free spirit and miners well do what he wants.
Enwe Aug 20th 2009 8:16AM
I always liked the idea of playing a neutral goblin. The Trade Princes hold a certain glamour for me.
lucifer.cross Aug 20th 2009 2:57PM
^ This.
Dragundam Aug 20th 2009 5:03PM
I'd rather be a Nexus Prince(ss?) than a simple trade prince. ...Do Ethereals even have genders? >_>