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Some people don't want to rp as a human and would rather rp as a Amaian? I understand why people want to change races for rp reasons of course W'Hoorn master  race 

Darios said:

When people keep swapping you start to build a disconnect between a character and their race, and that is sucky for the world as a whole. 

This is my only issue with repeated race swaps. I've made a mental image of what a lot of people look like. Darios is a Decheeran. When they post logs, I picture an armored treeperson fighting. Same for a lot of other people. If they swapped race constantly, I don't feel like I can picture what's happening because there's no consistency in my mind--it's just the same names but the visuals are all messed up. I stop picturing Darios the character and now just see the person controlling an arbitrary Darios avatar in a game.

Part of what makes a MUD fun for me is to be able to picture things beyond what graphics could do. If something messes with me being able to quickly paint a mental picture of it, the whole experience is lessened.

I'm all for newbie (and even beta) getting one race swap. But I like the consistency of a world where there are certain elements tied to your character and your identity that never change.

Its just my own opinion and personal preference though, and it's fine if you disagree.

The problem isn't with people changing into a race they will get better RP out of, I don't know about others but I'd want people in a race which they are excited to embrace racial RP. That said, its when repeated changes get allowed (ala Gem of Transmutation) that it starts diluting race as a choice for the world as a whole.

When people keep swapping you start to build a disconnect between a character and their race, and that is sucky for the world as a whole. For anyone who has played other IRE's, especially Achaea, ask yourself what race a lot of the top combatants are? Or even what race the artefact whales are? These are the people that swap more than anyone else and their race quickly becomes not even an after thought when imagining their character.

Since it has no mechanical benefit, I don't see any reason to not give a novice/time-played one-off reset with the option to purchase a one-use arti to swap. Something something HETE has to perform extra manipulation to your replicator so your body doesn't go insane or something. Hell, I wouldn't even mind a gem of transmutation.

That lets race stay 'relevant' while allowing some flexibility and unique narratives behind a paywall. Amnesiac body swaps! Start a Dolezal Dynasty! Customizable pleasure slaves! Etc etc.

I think a lot of people who are arguing against a change are doing it based on having personally seen the impact that's had in other games. But here's the thing: If you don't think race should matter... why would you want to change it? 

Asking for it to be readily available, whatever the price, outside of a newbie/beta setting, is doing just that. 

I mean if we’re talking immersion, why can’t HETE put my cerebral upload into whatever I choose? Seems like an arbitrary limitation for some high brow RP people more than anything.

I hate, hate this issue. So many times just as I run out of bullets the windup kicks in, you cannot crash out, reload to interrupt in time before the big 70%+ hits.

The argument is that the race of your character should be important decision. If it becomes something you can easily, or at all, change, then it becomes irrelevant and inevitably leads to cheapening racial roleplay.

I honestly can't say I disagree. Mostly just think novices (and everyone who has participated in the beta) should have the opportunity to say once, 'Actually, you know what, I think that race over there fits my character better."