Classes?

[thin dock]

It might not be for everybody, but I'm a huge sucker for classes. They really help shape your playstyle and give you something unique I feel.

Each class can get a tweak unique to them and a passive that reshapes how you build completely, giving you some creative build variety.

Wizard class can get a passive like 1 extra spellslot, and can choose ONE between some unique tweaks like these:
Combo caster: Casting a combo spell reduces the cooldown of all spells by 20%
Tempest: Using a spell while in the air reduces gravity by 50% for 3 seconds
Magic Weapon: Every enemy you kill with a spell increases your fire rate by 3% for 5 seconds, capped at 25%

You probably think these could just be tweaks by themselves, there's no point in having a class. And fair enough. But this gives you a reason to have a powerful passive and one free tweak. It's very important that classes don't SPEND resources like tweaks, but give you additional resources that cater to a playstyle. Tweaks are an important resource for making a build, and a lapping these up to "should just be a tweak" does little to create a unique playstyle, which is what classes should accomplish. It's about giving a build an identity.

Imagine a class that gives you 1 extra tweak slot for your character, and a unique tweak like 5% movement speed for each equipped tweak, or giving each unique tweak an extra 5% chance to activate. (so if you have 2 ammo supply tweaks, you go from 10% to 15% chance.)

Or a class made for movement. 1 additional dash, and a tweak that makes it easy to maintain momentum between dashes, or dashing increases reload speed.

I think this game could really benefit from a class system. It would define players playstyles, it would open up new possibilities for builds, and It's really fun to meet people who enjoy a certain class as much as you, and see different builds other players cook up. It also gives way for team composition to shine. I think it's really worth considering.

[molten pilot]

Yea it does just feel like you could just have these into tweaks

[surreal thistle]

I think what you really have here is certain tweak "sets" where you can choose one set or another and you basically get extra tweak slots where you can only use tweaks from the set. Is that right?

[thin dock]

but tweaks are a resource, if you spend them to make a build and run out of tweak slots thats it for your build. Classes have the opportunity to give the player more resources that shape and define a build.

[thin dock]

im not sure what you mean, but my example by choosing a class means you get one set thing most importantly, like an extra dash, tweak, or spellslot. and less importantly, you could choose one unique tweak out of some options that do the same to help define and shape a build.

[surreal thistle]

Well only one doesnt really make it a class, you know? A class usually has more than one upgrade provided. Maybe theres a better word for what you're looking for?

[thin dock]

classes can be as light and heavy as you want them to, but keep in mind the more you stack on a class and the more extreme it can go the more confined they become. If you do too much to define each class, it becomes less about the tweaks and more about the class. Which is less interesting and unique. I think a light approach is best, because the tweaks should be most important and the class should be something special but light. just enough to define your build, not enough to make it by itself.

[surreal thistle]

Ok. I still think for a class it should change how you play significantly, but I think I like the light approach.