There's an interesting editorial up at Kotaku Australia discussing the problems with hybrid classes, such as the Shaman and Paladin, and why ultimately they don't work:
People aren't looking for a class that can't excel at anything. Sure, players of hybrids will say they're fine being a lesser substitute, but when push comes to shove, no one wants to be left behind because a pure class does better.
The writer also says he'll be doing a follow-up, suggesting a replacement for the "Holy Trinity".
Comments
I think what this post says, poster let me know if I'm reading you wrong,....
that City of Heroes is a game example that as found a good game design flow to let you design affective Hybrids.
I can speak to this directly, as I've never played the game, but I've played GW (finished all three games plus expansion), and NC Soft as a deft touch at game balance/design. It sure would not surprise they pulled of hybrid balance well.
Look forward to Champions online.....
Normally I don't post, but in this case I have to disagree with the original poster's idea of the 'holy trinity'.... not EVERY game/MMO relies on this... It just takes careful balancing..... Let's look at City of Heroes/Villians's classes
Now, I am not saying that they DON'T have these classes, but they are mixed up a bit:
Tanker - obvious - everyone needs a tank, but with some interesting secondary abilities
Scrapper - Melee DPS, usually no ranged attacks
Defender - One spec, Empathy, excelled at healing, but it is just one of many specs that also include amazing group buffs or enemy debuffs
Blaster - Mage style ranged damage, but also some nice buffs/debuffs
Controller - ok, this is where I think WoW could benefit.... this is the ultimate CC class..some damage output ,but the ability for full CC abilities was SO much fun to play.
Check out http://cityofheroes.gameamp.com/coh/viewPowers for a full comparison.
City of Vililans added:
Mastermind - the ability to summon up to six minions to fight on your behalf (ninja, robots, undead, etc), with increasing power (3 low level, 2 mid and 1 boss minion), AND the ability to buff them. This was a blast to play.
see http://cityofvillains.gameamp.com/cov/viewPowers
Just another viewpoint on the whole 'class' issue... CoH/CoV definitely had its weak points as well (end-game content wasn't as good as WoW's, although fighting Hamidon, for those who played... well... need I say more? - I've never seen a world boss in WoW like that). I switched to WoW, yes, but I do miss the Controllers and Masterminds... those were fun.
Krank - Uldum - and yes, an Enh Shammy :)