Scout Archive
Thread: WHY ISN'T SURVEYING A SCOUT SKILL?
Probably 'cause the artisians wouldn't have a spare 25 points to spend on it is my guess.
I'm trying to make a ranger/rifleman and those 25 points i have to spend to get Surveyor hurt alot.
It seems that it would be very natural for this skill to be in one of the ranger trees or something.
I've been going over the numbers for my own Scout character, trying to figure out what I can keep and what needs to be surrendered when (if) I go up the Ranger/Rifleman trees. Like many, I want the benefits of Ranger, rifle, sword (for close combat) and medic so I can be an effective solo player.
However, I believe the reason the game is set up with this type of point system is to promote groups and teamwork. If I specialize in tracking and sniping, I'll need someone watching my back to heal and a friend to supply me with the components I need to put up the spiffy campsites.
I love to solo, but I'm learning that specialization means focused training and when you focus your training you can't be a jack-of-all-trades.
Guys,
The main reason we don't get surveying as a scout skill is because it has nothing to do with scouting. 
Generally, I fully understand the desire to have this skill - being a "resource scout" is a popular profession. However, that being said, you've got to keep in mind that the goal of the game is for each player to specialize in one or two primary roles. If you want to be a resource scout, go for it - but it means you'll have to sacrifice something else.
The best thing to do, if you are hurting not having surveying (I'm assuming because of the ability to get resources) is to find a buddy that does. That's what class interdependence is all about.
B
This would be like putting the Hunting scout tree with the Armorsmith because they use tons of hide. Would make it easy, but doesn't make much sense.
Well, for a flippant response, surveying is not a scout skill because it's an artisan skill, it's as simple as that.
But...more seriously, a similar question could be asked by artisans - why can't we harvest resources from animals? Why can't we craft traps and camps - we are "artisans", after all.
The answer to all of these is balance - in a MMORPG, there simply has to be some reason for you to interact with other players (or with the bazaar, in their absence). And in this game, as flexible as the skill system is, I find that the reliances are pretty darn reasonable.
You may say (if you look at my sig) - WTH are you talking about -- you've got everything, you don't have to worry about this. But honestly, I simply picked up all the skills I could at the beginning, and have been slowly cutting them down as I move on. I plan on keeping my four levels in Survey if at all possible, but there's no guarantee that I'll be able to.