Predator Classes...just remove them?

#1

So what about this. Remove the Predator Classes. It’s just the Hunter.

Change/Buff the Perks to actually make a difference. I.E. the Impenetrable perk would bring the Hunter up to base lvl Zerker Damage Resistance, Fearless brings him to to base lvl Zerker Damage, etc.

Let the player create a “build” for his playstyle. Instead of trying to balance 3 different classes against the fireteam and all the perks. Just make the Predator the Predator and let the player’s build determine their playstyle.

Make all the armor and body types just cosmetic items that change the look, not the stats. You wouldn’t even have to change much here. Different armor styles would still be unlocked separately from the others.

This makes it easier for the Dev team to balance the game. Allows the perks to be a little more impactful, they can be stronger when they don’t have to be balanced across 3 classes. I.E. A Hunter with Impenetrable and Fearless is a good melee challenge while the Zerker is a little too strong.

You can still play a Zerker, you can still play a Scout. It’s just determined by your perks/playstyle/weapons election/cosmetics instead of being a separate class.

I’m sure Zerker mains will protest but guys, it could go a long way in helping balance the game and making it more fun for everyone.

Also wouldn’t have to effect those with the Jungle Hunter “class” as he’s not really different from the Hunter. He could be the only real “class” separate form the others.

EDIT: Part of the reason I think this is the way to go is because I feel the Hunter is probably the most balanced of the 3 Preds right now. He seems to be in a really good place. Obviously there are still changes that need to be made but I think the Hunter is solid. Effective and fair. Balancing the game around him would be the easiest way to ensure a more level playing field while still giving the edge to the Pred, especially if the perks become more impactful.

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#2

I mostly agree but this would require a total rework of the perk system which I don’t know if Illfonic is ready to do. I like the idea, but the entire game is built around the existing perk system, which is flawed unfortunately. One Predator, with an expanded perk/skill system would be great. This would make for much more variety in playstyle and loadouts.

#3

Well, I think we all agree the perk system needs reworked anyway. If they’re gonna do it…

I wouldn’t expect it in the next patch, but down the road I think it’s probably the best direction.

I find build are also more interesting for the player. I myself love tweaking and perfecting builds. “Oh I really would like to do this to the fireteam. What if I swap this weapon and change this perk?” I think it would give the game a little more depth and replay-ability.

Then content updates could include new perks to try and play with. Seeing what new playstyles could be unlocked by combining the right weapons and perks is way more interesting to me than, “Now my Zerker and Combistick are gold…”

#4

I see where you’re coming from. With this type of game having just one Predator class with different perks and weapons would’ve made alot more sense and made the game alot more balanced.
Having different Pred classes made more sense in AvP2 when the classes were locked to their own unique weapons and players just adapted them to their play style, but with this game it’s all too easy to exploit whatever is meta in the current patch, and requires constant back and forth balancing from the devs.

#5

To be honest this game doesnt have classes, in the traditional sense.

They are basicly stat modifiers, not much else.

Same goes for FT, they really arent classes.

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#6

This is true, they’re honestly lazy “classes” lmao. I really wish the classes had more weight to them. Y’know, like literally any other game with classes, lol.

#7

There isn’t anything wrong with the classes just the players failing at using them…

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#8

Right, but it’s the stat modifiers that mean the perks are worthless as the have to be balanced against the top end stats. For example, because the Zerker has higher health or damage resistance, the impenetrable perk has to be capped where it is because it can’t make the Zerker unstoppable. But making a “base” that can be modified more drastically means that perks would actually make an impact in gameplay. It’d be great to be able to actually feel the difference when running a certain perk.

The other option I suppose would be to eliminate perks entirely and just make each class really distinct with specific playstyles and locked perks.

Personally I think that’s a dead end road that will end with people getting board/feeling limited.

Builds mean more variation, more experimentation, more options, more replay-ability.

We’d also be more likely to get updates that have an impact in the game. I’d rather get one or two perks to play with each update/content drop than a new class every few.

#9

This post isn’t about Pred or Fireteam being OP/UP.

#10

yeah ok i can see where your going with this it seems like a good idea for the most part perks have to be looked at and if predator was a base where you “make the class” through equipment perks and it’s look seems like a good idea
probably would have to figure out how many perks/perk points is ok considering this turns pred into a base that has to be built up
and would have to be warry of hitbox types say if this went through the zerker/scout bodytype would just be select able right? but zerker is bigger than hunter so his hitbox is inturn bigger and vice versa which would mean everyone would just pick the scout type cause it’s harder to get shot it

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#11

Definitely have to look at hit boxes. Could be a pain but I think it could be done. I wish the class aesthetic changes had just been the amount of armor rather than actual body type.

#12

This. As much as I do agree tweaking is needed, the classes do have strengths and weaknesses wich set them apart from eachother. Not all stats are shown as well, not sure why tho. I mean stats as amount of energy, energy regen, energy consumption, stamina amount/regen, overload and exhaustion cooldown etc. And these are not the same on each class.

I hope they will add more weapons and gear down the line, yautjas love toys. And let me re-use beartraps dammit!

#13

If you look at the above posts, we make a pretty strong argument for our position. If you like the idea of classes thats fine. I think they are kinda boring, especially in their current implementation. With a base figure and revamped perk system you’d still be able to play the current classes by building them, but you’d also have dozens of other options.

This isn’t a post calling for classes to be changed because anyone is losing/winning. It’s about a change I think could result in better balance and more engaging gameplay.