The following is an hypothesis, and nothing more. It is not meant to suggest any particular method for unlocking your FS slot, but is merely an possible alternative means of explaining what MAY BE a mthod to help determine an individual's "path".
In an earlier interview, the Devs stated that they had been measuring too many metrics for unlocking one's FS slot. I am beginning to believe that the Metrics aspect is still valid, just scaled down from whatever number was originally being tracked.
4+1 PROFESSIONS vs 5 METRICS
Weak as it may be, the basis for this hypothesis is contained within a client-side file entitled " xxxxxxxxxx.uis" located in the Program Files>StarWarsGalaxies>Profiles>(username)>(galaxy) directory. There is a great deal of information contained within this file, and after observations and comparisons over time, one thing stands out rather starkly, especially after I mastered all the base professions in the game: Notifications of skill qualifications.
With 6 base professions, one would expect 6 base notifications. Instead, we discover that there are 5 base notifications:
Combat (Marksman, Brawler, and all melee and ranged Profs)
Crafting (Artisan)
Outdoors (Scout and related professions)
Science (Medic and related Profs, including BE)
Social (Entertainer and related Profs)
Now considering that the Devs also stated that the Holocrons were HINTS, perhaps the holos are hints at these specific 5 metrics, as opposed to 4+1 profs. I propose that there are more methods of obtaining enough "experience points" in these 5 metrics than simply grinding professions. This would explain some of the discrepancies in the actions that opened the FS slots for current Jedi, and may also offer hints to aid those of us seeking to open our own slots.
Current FS achievers have stated that different actions have unlocked their slot:
Tipping someone (Social)
Killing something (Combat)
Healing somone (Science)
Training additional skills, but not actually mastering the profession (varies by metric category)
Mastery of a Profession (Again, varies by metric category)
What this suggests is that these 5 metric categories are measured, and when a specific amount of "experience" is accumulated, that metric is satisfied, and that experience accumulates in ways other than just mastering a profession. Remember, the Devs have NEVER stated that it is merely mastering the 4+1 profs, only that mastering profs is essential to unlocking FS.
WHY HAVE SOME UNLOCKED WITH 5-6 PROFS AND VIRTUALLY NOTHING ELSE?
I believe that it is quite possible that the paths determined for us are not specific profs (because EVERY CURRENT JEDI WOULD HAVE UNLOCKED THE MOMENT THEY MASTERED THEIR FINAL PROF), but rather a random amount of experience necessary within each of the 5 metrics in order to unlock FS. This would explain why it is easier for some than others, and would also explain why some people get three profs from a specific base prof... because their experience metric requirement is much higher in that category. This also explains why some have mastered 20+ profs with no luck... because ALL of their 5 metric requirements are higher due to the random generation of necessary metric experience at character creation. Because of the character of random generation, some people will get low requirements in all 5 metrics (allowing their slot to open with minimal effort) while others will get some high metrics and some low metrics ( holocron giving a base profession = low metric requirement for that metric, multiple holocron skills in the same category = high metric requirement for that metric), and some, unfortunately will have an awfully long, painful journey (High metric requirements in each category, or in many categories).
WHY HAVE SOME JEDI SEEMINGLY UNLOCKED WITHOUT MASTERING A PROF IN "X" METRIC?
First of all, the comment about too many metrics being measured suggests that unlocking the FS has been, and still is, based on more than just profession mastery. Take for example Monika's "path". She never had to master, nor did master, any "social" metric profession (entertainer based). She DID, however, state that she did many theme parks, interacted with a great deal with players (I was almost always grouped), and obtained the highest rank in the Rebel faction. It may very well be that these actions satisfied her metric requirement for the Social metric. This also, once again makes sense from the Dev's standpoint... they obviously had a method in place for tracking more metrics than just professions... why completely scrap that, when you can simply adjust your established method of FS unlocking to apply to a lower number of metrics?
HOW CAN THIS HELP ME IN MY PATH?
IF THIS IS AN ACCURATE, VALID THEORY (and I'm not suggesting that it is, merely stating an alternative idea based on a great number of assumptions and reasoning), then perhaps the "hints" given by holocrons can be analyzed to help you determine which metric you need to work on. Look at all the profs you've mastered, and assign them to the five metrics. Have you neglected one metric more than others? Perhaps you need to focus your prof masteries in that metric category. If you've used holocrons, then it may be even more possible to deduce what metric to work on. If you've gotten a base prof from a holo, see which metric it fits, and that may very well help you eliminate the need to master any more profs in that metric.
This is all, at best, a guess, and I only offer it as a possible alternative for exploration in hopes that perhaps it will pan out, and make everyone's life a bit easier.
Comments, criticisms, flames are all welcome.... =)
Prances - Kettemoor
Proud Member of the 32 Club - Rebel Colonel
|