If it is done right I think it can work. If not, I think it could destroy the longevity of the games appeal.
If you can completely revamp your lvl 81 bowazon to a javazon in 5 minutes (excluding finding gear) i am not in favor. Another example of respec exploitation: you have a zeal paladin beat the game in normal, once you get high enough where hammers are good, you respec and switch to a hammerdin instantly maxing the skill. Now you magic find, but wait, you want to do ubers so you convert him to a smiter, then back to a hammerdin after you finish getting your torch. Half the fun of the game is working to 'earn' levelups, equipment, powerful attacks, and new skill selections. For example, when the game first came out and I played single player and used an editor giving myself tons of skills which made the game nearly pointless. The games lasting appeal is based on spending time in order to achieve a goal, and being rewarded when you get there.
My biggest concern is, despite the fact that you have to grind, is the lack of it. No one likes grinding, but it even after I've made 10s of 100s of characters over the years and leveled them respectively, I still feel a huge sense of satisfaction when I finally get the skill I have been working so hard for. More excitement comes as the skill increasing gets more powerful as I level; and finally as the skill and its syngeries become maxed, a great sense of accomplishment.
So in conclusion, I argue that despite the grind, we keep coming back, and it's what makes us keep coming back. Simple laws of life, the easier it is to get the less it is convented. That being said a respect system done correctly wont take away the satisfaction and will allow some forgiveness and greater experimentation.
2
If you can completely revamp your lvl 81 bowazon to a javazon in 5 minutes (excluding finding gear) i am not in favor. Another example of respec exploitation: you have a zeal paladin beat the game in normal, once you get high enough where hammers are good, you respec and switch to a hammerdin instantly maxing the skill. Now you magic find, but wait, you want to do ubers so you convert him to a smiter, then back to a hammerdin after you finish getting your torch. Half the fun of the game is working to 'earn' levelups, equipment, powerful attacks, and new skill selections. For example, when the game first came out and I played single player and used an editor giving myself tons of skills which made the game nearly pointless. The games lasting appeal is based on spending time in order to achieve a goal, and being rewarded when you get there.
My biggest concern is, despite the fact that you have to grind, is the lack of it. No one likes grinding, but it even after I've made 10s of 100s of characters over the years and leveled them respectively, I still feel a huge sense of satisfaction when I finally get the skill I have been working so hard for. More excitement comes as the skill increasing gets more powerful as I level; and finally as the skill and its syngeries become maxed, a great sense of accomplishment.
So in conclusion, I argue that despite the grind, we keep coming back, and it's what makes us keep coming back. Simple laws of life, the easier it is to get the less it is convented. That being said a respect system done correctly wont take away the satisfaction and will allow some forgiveness and greater experimentation.