RPZip wrote:
This is the only class I've ever seen this be true for, at least in an organized fashion. There's a lot of players who don't care how good their spec are; as a general rule, they don't post much on forums... with the exception of Hunters. Typically people coming to a place like this are looking for some min-maxing, or at least some tips to improve their play. This doesn't seem to be the case with most hunters.
Take that however you want; I can see it as both a good and a bad thing.
I certainly was not implying a value judgement, in fact, I was implying the opposite- the lack of one. The more I read this forum the more I see many startling statements to the point of "Hey, my way/build/spec is the only way to go." This is a bad road to go down in my opinion.
First, not all players are created equal.
Second, not all players have the same goals in mind.
Third, not all players find fun in the exact same way.
Fourth, not all players can play all specs. (related to first point)
So theorycraft has a tendency to die the second you fire up WoW. I would submit that the 'average' WoW hunter probably couldn't pull off an "Ultimate DPS" build effectively.
So now, the arguments go down the road- which players do you build the game for? The good to super players or the average ones? It's pretty clear what Blizz targets, and considering their success, I'd say they have it right. The good to super players have an easier time with the game but they really make up a minority of the players.
Personal note: I seriously doubt that I could pull off a BM build with the weapon I am using now. I am having a hard enough time keeping a standard AS->SS shot rotation running with a 2.5 spd weapon. So the 'Ultimate DPS' BM build would likely FAIL for me. I'd probably crank out more damage and still be more versatile with my existing, inefficient but catered to my style of play, MM build.
End-game, I'll probably have the gear and such to at least try a BM build but if it doesn't work for me, if it doesn't get me the same amout of dps I get off an MM build, then FOR ME, it's not a proper build. Blizzard allows us to have different talents and different builds to cater to player need and desire. I think there is nothing wrong with any build so long as the player has fun with it. Groups are an entirely different dynamic. You need to at least be effective.
I could see running around naked with 0 talent points spent being one heckuva challenging and fun build. Sure, your DPS would suck, but you could probably accomplish developing your player skills to the max doing this. I certainly couldn't laugh at or judge such a player. In fact, I'd say "go for it".
So, it's my belief that we should stop 'forcing' people to be one way or the other. But once you try to join a group, you have a responsibilty to be effective, you don't have to be 100% perfect, just effective. If your build lets you do that then I really don't see a problem with it.
It's okay to recommend an efficient or powerful build, it's entirely different to mock or make light of someone because they don't follow it. It's also okay to not allow someone in a group if they can't demonstrate that their performance is effective.