There has been a lot of discussion recently about the use and role of hybrid classes in the World of Warcraft. With the last several patches many little things have changed with the classes and rumor has it that more changes are on the way. There have been rampant calls of "Nerfed" or "Stealth Nerfed" and more.

I want to take a step back from all the derogatory comments going on around the net though and have a serious look at what a Hybrid class is really meant to be. Should a hybrid class always play second fiddle in any role, or should it be able to be just as good as the primary class it is copying? What are the pro's and con's of each way of looking at the hybrid classes?

Let's start at the beginning, what exactly is a Hybrid class?

A Hybrid is a character that combines aspects of many other primary classes all into one class. Generally hybrid classes also combine some form of group support, but not always. The primary classes that can be rolled into hybrid classes are: Tank, Healer, Melee DPS, Ranged DPS, Caster DPS and general support.

In the World of Warcraft we have several very obvious hybrid classes and some classes that can become hybrids. The true hybrids are Shaman, Paladin and Druid. Priests can also be thought of as a hybrid class if they are shadow specced. The following chart shows what abilities each hybrid brings to the table.

Now that we know what they are, why do we have them?

Let's start with the simple answer. Hybrids are in games so that players have more choice in character class. Generally players want more choice, limiting class choices to most players means more constraint.

A more in depth answer is that hybrids in theory allow players in game more options, whether they are playing the hybrid class or not. For the hybrid player it allows you to change your play style depending on your mood without having to change your character. If you play a druid, you can do caster dps one day, tank the next, heal the next and melee dps the following day. This means that you will almost never be bored with your class, since you have many things you can do.

For other players hybrid classes give you more options as well. This is demonstrated in group composition where if you required a tank and there were no hybrid classes you would be stuck looking for just a warrior, or just a priest for a healer. With hybrids it gives you more choice for the types of class you can look for. If you can't find a warrior to tank, you can easily grab a druid or paladin to fill in. In an instance if your healer dies, your paladin, druid or shaman can all spot heal until you get a chance to rezz the priest.

Given the reason that hybrids exist, there is a strong argument that they should be just as good as the original class, since it is obviously better for everyone involved.

Some of the reasons they should be just as good as the original are:

• Hybrid classes would be more fun to play
• Finding viable instance groups would be far easier
• They would be easier to play

So if hybrids are so good, why wouldn't you want them as good as the original? This one is also pretty easy to pick reasons for.

• Being just as good at everything brings a power advantage over single task classes
• Would become the de facto class choice, replacing the need for single task classes
• Would reduce the skill level required to play one well
• Would get rid of the differences that make each class and character unique, watering down the game

Lets start with a basis statement, "I like Hybrids". Ok, so you know I'm biased on this one up front, so obviously your guessing that my opinion is that Hybrids should be as good as the original, right?

WRONG!

While I love hybrids (Paladins in theory being my favorite class), I like them for the options and freedom they provide, not any advantage or power bonus. I like being able to fit into any role that is required and being able to do it well enough to help the group. I like being able to switch roles mid instance as required if things go wrong or a party member leaves. I know that I am not going to be as good as the original, and that's fine. The way I think of it just means that I have to prove that I am a better, smarter player than the single task player to do the same job to the same level. Being egotistical, I like proving this. If it was easy, I wouldn't want to play it.

How I would like to see Hybrid classes done is that each one does one thing very well (say 80% of how well the original class does it) and then a few things passably (say 50-60% of how well the original class does it). This would make them interesting to play and still viable in groups as a fill in class, but not a required spot. Right now several hybrids are just too good at their roles. For example Druids can heal better than Priests, while still tanking almost as well as a Warrior and DPSing almost as well as a Rogue. I'd like to see all the hybrids have a clear definition and be refocused a bit more.

The Messiah has spoken, now its you turn...