^ agreed, though I dont think removal of hybrid penalty will dramatically increase the hybrid population, if at all. I also am not sure how much it would alleviate the mix/max hybrid hating mentality that exists on this server which causes so much hybrid hate.
In the broadest sense, there are two types of people who play EQ - those who would consider playing a caster class and those who wouldn't. For those who wouldn't play a caster, hybrid is completely out of the question. Not only are they "weaker" than pure melee classes, you have the spells to worry about as well.
Someone who wants to play a caster class has lots of options. Really all caster classes are played quite heavily, with Wizard and Mage being significantly less played than the rest. If you roll a Shaman, Cleric, or Enchanter you will always get a group. If you roll a Shaman or Enc (or Mage if you're not a nub) you will solo farm the best cash camps in the game.
Why would anybody roll a hybrid?
The reason why, as previously mentioned, a Hybrid will either be awesome or a total nub is because of the caster/melee dilemma. The nub will be either a "melee" player or a "caster" player that doesn't have a full knowledge of either side of the spectrum. The awesome players rolled their hybrid with the specific intent of taking advantage of everything the class offers. Not only does this player understand magic spells, he understands the "EQ 101" of mob placement (tanking) and mob behavior.
Why is SK the most popular hybrid? Its not the "best" hybrid. It is the most similar to a pure melee with the ability to feign death. This is the class that brings the most players from the "melee" side of the spectrum. Not to mention theyre evil, menacing, and "not gay" which also attracts a melee only player. Players from the "caster" side will consider all three and make a choice based on what he thinks would be the best suited to his play style.
As far as xp penalty is concerned, the good players are aware of what they're getting into and have the skill to move the bar quickly. The nubs are left in the dust. Lets not forget that Iksar Monk carries a big penalty, as well as other evil melee classes. How many friggin Iksar monks are there on this server??
Unfortunately the xp penalty isn't going away, and I'm not convinced there would be a hybrid population explosion if it was removed.
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