The Influence of Game Mechanics on Class Choice
Just curious how other gamers tackle this dilemma I've often found myself faced with over the years 
- The Influence of Game Mechanics on Class Choice26 votes
- I have a favourite class or type of character and I play that even when I am not fully satisfied with how that class plays in a particular game.34.62%
- I have a bias towards certain types of classes but my pick is heavily influenced by how that class or play style feels in that particular game.65.38%
- I have no preference at all when it comes to class but prefer to play the kind of character that mechanically feels the most satisfying.0.00%
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Comments
I dislike spell slot based magic, so I generally don't play casters in games like Baldur's Gate.
I love mana based magic, so I prefer playing mages in games like Dragon Age Origins and World of Warcraft.
I dislike magic where you have to aim so I never play magic in The Elder Scrolls games.
I hate clicking to attack in Diablo 1 and 2, so I play mage because it requires the smallest amount of clicks.
I love playing ranged in isometric RPG's, there's just something so satisfying in looking at the battlefield from a bird's eye view and mowing down your enemies from as far away as possible.
I like magic when I have an entire party. I like good mage classes. If I'm playing a JRPG, I probably have the most fun with summoner or classes like black mage from Final Fantasy. I like mages in D&D games so long as they aren't too squishy. I often just put armor on them unless I'm casting support spells until elven mail is available (when the rules required robes or elven chain for casting). But if a fight requires dispelling or strategically AoEs are necessary, I'll let them go in without armor (Sadly, this often leads to reloading since I usually don't know ahead what the next battle is. It's not a habit I'm proud of, but I also don't like 2nd edition casters played differently). The one thing I like about 3rd edition over 2nd is casting failure instead of disallowing casting if in armor. But I don't like the lack of class/build balance in 3rd edition (especially 3.5).
Ideal RPGs for me are ones where all classes are good and what matters is how you play them and/or form your party.
Hell, my first time playing the Witcher 2, I found a guide that specialized in focusing only on using the runes for combat. And did that until I eventually had to stop playing it.
If I can't be a mage or some kind of sorcerer then It's not for me.
When that happens, I tend to latch onto other parts of the archetype and go for it: Fighter/Rogue, or Fighter/Mage, for example.
I also have classes/concepts that I actively dislike: Foremost among them the Paladin.
Multiplayer games (which I rarely, rarely play anymore) I play as support. Player vs Environment this is generally a buffer/healer. Player/Team vs Player/Team, this is usually a hexxer/debuffer, shift disturber.
Role playing or multiclass games I either attempt to role play, or create the most unique or off the wall character the game allows. For example, Dagon Age: Origins, after learning the mechanics, my first full play through was with a 2 handed roguish casteless dwarf. Nothing beat sneaking up to an elite enemy and slowly heaving a maul for a one hit kill. NWN my favourite character was a barbarian, weapon master gnome using a rapier two-handedly. Just the concept of trying to stab someone with a long pointy sword you had to hold with two hands amused me. But also with NWN I made bard/rdd/aa with Dev Crit. One shotting things with a bow was always amusing especially in MP games where other players aren't expecting it.
Party base games I do the same as above, but will attempt to avoid things that NPCs have (such as weapon proficiencies) as I always find there isn't enough proper gear to split. It's why I rarely play spellcasters, because, there is always a spellcaster NPC to fill that role properly.
I also don't enjoy playing mages, although I know how the smart mages think about us dumb melee fighters ?. I like to be physically strong and straightforward. BUT I also like it if the game offers diplomatic solutions rather than just slaughtering everyone. That's why I prefer paladins, or the closest thing a game allows one to be.
But, mage only. MAGE ONLY!
At least my armor and sword don't vanish after a few rounds and can only be used like 5 times a day and then I need to rest for 8 hours to be able to summon them again
That's just the subpar "mechanics" of D&D games where spellcasting is based on the impractical and irrational system of spell slots. This is why I prefer games where spellcasting is based on the mana system (Skyrim, Grim Dawn, Terraria, and lots others) or at least on a cool down system (like in Tyranny and Deadfire).
But still then, Project Image is all we need for virtually infinite spell slots, and thus UNLIMITED POWER!
Also, decent "swords and shields" need enchantments, and for that again, you need mages! Or else, you won't be able to do significant damage to anything! Potions? Alchemy! Mages!
So CHECKMATE frontline minions! Uhh, that is... punching bags... uh, no... I mean... voluntary decoys... oh, whatever, mêlée classes, I guess.
Don't let @SorcererV1ct0r hear this lmao
@Arvia no, but they can break, dim, rust, be dropped, become lost, be made useless/ineffective, or just be blown to smithereens along with the wielder by the mage.
@DragonKing That's why I like using my Black Blade of Disaster.
Cooldowns break my suspension of disbelief. I play games for escapism. If i an playing War Thunder in a Me 262, i wanna feel like i an piloting that plane. At the same way, if i an playing pathfinder kingmaker as a sorcerer of undead bloodline, i wanna feel like i an a sorcerer with undead powers in another world.
Games with wow itemization and cooldowns felt more like work than a interesting another world to explore. But he can have any opinion, is just his taste.
But wanna make me not play your game? Force me to be a swordsman. I can enjoy melee fights on mout & blade because i can fight mounted and use polearms but one reason that i don't like JRPG's(except the ones that allow you to create your own char like Dark Souls and Dragon's Dogma) is