If a pick a class that requires many abilites to be used ‘on the move’, then I sometimes struggle to hold down W, S, A or D and hit the required key or key combination at the same time without knotting my fingers. Trying to hit 2 while holding down W is a good example.

This isn’t usually a limitation in PvE, since mobs just tend to stand there and let you hit them, but in PvP it causes more problems, and while it probably only causes a small reduction in my effectiveness, it can be a little frustrating.

For that reason I would be hesitant to pick a class like the Shadow Warrior, who if I understand it correctly is very mobile. A tank should hopefully be ok, but my control style is probably most suited to casters, as they usually have to stand still for most of their abilities.

Anyway, if I really like a class, I’ll pick it regardless of how awkward I find it to control, but if it’s a marginal decision between a couple of classes, then I imagine I’ll go for the one most suited to keypressing.

Simple is always the most enjoyable. Not quite sure why running around with a hammer the size of my avatar is appealing but there you have it. As long as I can hit things with it. If I could name it and it grows with me all the better.

A dwarf can dream!

and cb, I love you

I’m playin’ an Orc. I’m going to run around screaming “Waaagh!” and hittin’ things. I’ve been waiting to play an Orc outside of tabletop battles since NINETEEN NINETY-FIVE. Nothing, no-one, can take that joy away from me.

(apologies to anyone outside the UK who might find the above comment much more baffling than it is intended to be!).

So the most popular classes may just end up being the most powerful ones. If Bright Wizards totally wipe the floor with everyone else in PvP, forget the polls now, they’ll be the most played.

And then you get the whole bandwagon effect of ‘But I was playing X before it got buffed!’

Haha, that’s EXACTLY me. Except I probably will roll a healer for groups this time around, and I’ll play the SW when I find myself without groupmates/guildmates around.

“And let’s not forget that Warhammer Online is a different from games we’ve played before.”

I can’t comment specifically, of course, but yeah, healers have some variety. The description of the Archmage on the official site gives you an idea of how offensive capabilities are balanced with healing powers.

“An Archmage is a powerful caster both offensively and defensively. However they must strive to keep a balance between the powers they manipulate. Weaving only powerful healing or destructive spells will leave the Archmage tired and unable to assist his allies in their darkest hour. However by carefully applying force in critical places the Archmage can reserve a wellspring of magical energy that allows him to aid his allies when a normal mage would be all but spent.”

“by carefully applying force…he Archmage can reserve a wellspring of magical energy that allows him to aid his allies”. That’s the important part of the paragraph. Other healers have this mixing and matching element as well.

Still, your point is valid. Even though healing has a different approach, it’s still likely that most people will pick the class that appeals to them on some intuitive level first, and we’ll be left trying to make well-balanced groups in the aftermath.