Talk:Class Builds (EU2012)

Do you plan to stick to left/right builds, and alternates in the notes, or would you like suggestions? Like my real initials are XCM (just 1 letter off from spelling "XCOM", heh), and I have my own build prefrences, if you've seen my additions to the individual Classes pages. --Xuncu 20:41, 18 April 2013 (EDT)

It doesn't say it's protected, and it's a wiki. Feel free.

Tbh I'm not sure of the wisdom of having this page. From my experience with wowwiki everyone will put their favourite build on it, many of which will be 1 point different from an existing build or just plain bad (with informative descriptions like "this is 4 fun and is gr8"). From there you either let it grow in to an uninformative mess, or take out the trash and get accused of being wikihitler. But hey, I could be wrong. Binkyuk 13:13, 19 April 2013 (EDT)

I share both your concerns regarding ppl placing their favorite build, but my opinion is that with most custom builds you simply switch 1 ability - it makes no sense to have a pic and describing it in detail because you'll be repeating what was already written, or suggested in the text that starts the Alternate Build subsection for each class. But if you are mixing 2 or 3 abilities from either side then things get more interesting. Some clearly are less effective than others (I actually got an Excel table listing all the 128 possible different builds from the 4 classes) but at the same time you might get something interesting that you never tried.

That said, I'd like to keep this page tidy and not present build choices as personal (i.e. the Hobbes Killer Heavy build). If you have a suggestion feel free to add it but check first if it has been suggested already (and many of the 1 ability choices are already mentioned on the text). If users have a mix of 2 or 3 abilities feel free to add it (with a pic - if it needs editing just drop me a message on my talk page), a single name to describe it, and a list of justified pros and cons (unlike 'this build kicks a§§').

Would this be acceptable? Or should we revert back to just having the basic builds or any other suggestion? I'm switching back to the format without specific builds for the time being. Hobbes 14:28, 19 April 2013 (EDT)

My §0.0002 is since it's up to the player how they want to build their class, is perhaps to just stick with the basic builds to show what you have. Then if you do want to discuss specific builds, just put it in the notes after each section and suggest what skills to take to obtain certain results. My worry is that we might be creating a bit of duplication by having suggestions in the main class pages as well. -NKF 17:23, 19 April 2013 (EDT)

That was basically my concern, of making a redundant mess. I suppose I mean to say that; what should this page have that adds additional, unique information that the main Classes page or the individual class pages don't?--Xuncu 02:37, 20 April 2013 (EDT)

Let's stick it to the basic builds then. My original idea for the page was to have a guide for classes for new players, since the existing page has too much information. Adding custom builds goes away from that objective. Hobbes 04:34, 20 April 2013 (EDT)

I think if folk want to show off their own individual/custom builds, the personal pages are good place for that. Also, I like the new colors. Leman Russ 16:58, 21 April 2013 (EDT)

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Question: Is there any particular reason to naming the builds alpha and beta? The soldiers section uses names like snapshot-sniper and Machinegunner Heavy. This makes perfect sense to me and is more intuitive than the more neutral alpha and beta designations.

As stated on the beginning of this page: "Although experienced players will design soldiers according to their own preferences, this article will focus on the basic builds available to each class, and how the different abilities on each one can synergize together." Thus, it focus on class builds from either left or right sides. Otherwise, there are 32 possible builds for each class but I personally chose not to state my personal preferences but rather to show a quick build for new players learning the basics. Alpha and Beta are simply generic and neutral terms for both since terms like 'scout' or 'machinegunner' can have very different definitions between players since there are a lot of possible builds that could fit either role.

But to finish, we could also create a new Advanced Class Builds section or even page for suggestions of 'rifleman', 'marksman', 'sharpshooter', 'sniper', 'scout-sniper', etc. Hobbes (talk) 19:11, 2 August 2014 (EDT)

Concerning the battle scanner: I propose that the alpa/snapshot sniper is generally in a better position on the field to throw the battle scanner: namely more in the front. The beta/squad sight sniper should be at the back and out of range, therefore not in a suitable position to benefit from this option. Also: the snapshot sniper has a double aim penalty when using the disabling shot of both snapshot (-10) and disabling shot (-10). Therefore the alternate ability seems to synergise better with the beta/squad sight sniper. What is the reasoning for this build?

Squadsight Snipers with Battle Scanner are an interesting combination. I agree with your general opinion that they are not an ideal build. But imagine this situation: your Snap Shot Lieutenant sniper dies and you have a 2nd Squadsight sniper who just gets promoted to Lt. I most likely would choose the Battle Scanner in this situation. And you don't need to use it as a scout: with 2 scanners the sniper can use them to completely check the all of the nearby area to the LZ on UFO missions. Hobbes (talk) 19:11, 2 August 2014 (EDT)