Should all races have access to play all classes?

Perhaps there could be two different servers? One for Roleplayers where as those restrictions apply and then an "open" server where those race class restrictions don't apply.. I wonder which server would fill up quicker

Race/Class combinations should not be restricted. For a game that is about freedom of choice this make little to no sense to include. It's perfectly acceptable for certain races to be handicapped in certain professions but that doesn't mean an individual can't try.

The ONLY reason I could see for this is if the race cannot perform the action required for that class at all. Say there is a race that innately cannot use magic no matter what. But as far as I know no such races exist in Everquest from what I remember.

If it goes against a racial heritage or culture. Then you can role play that, but it's not a physical limitation. We play as singular individuals. There's nothing physical preventing that character for performing that profession. If the player doesn't want to create a character of that is up to them. But restrictions in character creation should relate to finite physical restrictions.

I chose "I prefer to play just one character, so I want to be able to access all classes if I want."

Let us be able to play any class with any race without any penalties what so ever.

I thought this game was about choice, being who we want, when we want. It's bad enough that they are doing class armor, weapon, and weapon abilities restrictions, not allowing us to switch class sets on the fly but only out of combat, that we have to individually level each class, and then only be able to get to the next tier once we acquire a specific set of gear first.

Don't take this one away. Just slaps the entire concept in the face if they do. May as well just stick to rolling alts and focusing on perfecting single class characters again instead of this whole "multi-class system" they are trying to put into place.

As others have stated, the game seems to be designed around the idea of playing what you want, the way you want. It seems a bit contrary then to restrict classes to only certain races. I believe it is a much better idea to restrict classes based on character actions / faction. One example given at Live (hypothetical) was that spending time doing acts of goodness may not endear you to shadow knights. Therefore, they would not train you to be a Shadow Knight. Or, you could possibly lose access, if you did not live up to their standards after training. I feel this is a much better way to do things.

In addition to this, isn't it possible for a Dark Elf as an individual to become good? It might be taboo in Dark Elf culture, but as individuals it should be possible

It isn't double posting. Refresh when you see it, it will be gone. It is part of the joy of the forum system.

I am more concerned with multi class combo restrictions. Having lore dictate what races can be what class is a pretty simple answer. However where I see a problem like some previous posters is when you start multi classing of mixing abilities from two classes that just shouldn't be possible. Like someone mentioned you shouldn't be able to mix SK abilities with a paladins abilities. There should be mutli class restrictions more so then class/race just my two cents.

ive been playing both titles since 99 as well. what i find hard to believe with all the recent changes to the entire gaming model we come to know is that an ogre ranger is what will make or break the everquest feeling for you. no trinity? multiclassing? no levels? that didnt push you over the edge but certain races attached to classes will. not buying it.

I would like to submit this idea to people... which perhaps is too complex for the devs to handle.

Do not place Class RESTRICTIONS on Races.

Place Class PENALTIES on Races. SEVERE, penalties is some cases.

Of course all of those penalties and their relationships to races (or even characters' moral progression) would all be further hashed out as more Lore on EQNext is released.

Gnome monk. I too, would like a gnome monk.

werd. thanks

This makes sense. Starting classes on races being restricted and allowing in-game actions and quests for them to aquire any class they want from there. Obviously most everquest players will expect each races to have strength and weaknesses which the player will have to live with when choosing his race.

OK but if you can't do anything then why bother?

I need to know more about how the class system works to answer this. I need the characters I can build to be sufficently fun more than I want the lore to mandate things.
The problem is that as of now I have no idea if a class gives me exactl four abilities or if a class provides an ability tree where I can pick up to 4 abilites. I suspect the former.
If I only get 4 abilites from a class then I say any race any class. If I get more abilites for each class then I can see lore preventing me from picking some combinations.

If this game were like EQ1 / DnD / etc. where you picked a set class/race, then restrictions should be in.

With the way this game is set-up to be (especially since there seem to be no "evil" or "good" races and everyone is struggling together for survival) then having restrictions seems pretty silly. In "lore terms" why wouldn't everyone share everything in hopes of furthering survival?

OMG this poll is going to be close. >.<

Agreed! Always bugged me in other games that some race and class combinations didn't make sense lore wise. Gnome Warriors anyone? /facepalm

This brings up a question I was hoping would be answered on one of the Q&A panels. Let's say I save enough kittens from trees and walk enough old ladies across the street and unlock the Paladin class. Later in the game I push these same old ladies down the stairs and roast up some cat stew. Do I lose my Paladin class or once unlocked I keep it?

SPOT ON

I agree. It would seem fitting to restrict certain races from starting in limited places in the world, and with predetermined factions (or reputations if you prefer) which they must overcome.

I have always loved the idea of the Bouldershoulder brothers from the Cleric's Quintet. Pikel was born a dwarf in a dwarf society, yet he was so bullheaded and fascinated with nature, that he inevitably became a druid... A Dwarf Druid. Albeit, his Druid abilities were petty lousy for quite a large part of the series.