Massively Helm's Deep news and pictures!!!

[monk_tbd]

It seems that what I've been doing for years now... going one solid colour (Specialization) on all of my trait lines on all of my toons... and something which I've been laughed at, sneered at, and derided for, in-game, is about to become the norm.

Well the main mini in our kin always has 5 blues plus capstone.
Every playstyle is valid if it is fun .
The only sneer someone would have gotten from me is if a warden pre-changes had skill and power slotted and was proud of it (for those who cannot remember this gave +40% damage on the default gambit which is basically the NULL gambit i.e. no at all a proper gambit).

There are classes where I might just slot 7 straight colors like runekeepers e.g. but for me some classes just do not provide 7 good traits of a single line.
E.g. I do not like the mini capstone I prefer anthem buffing instead which surely offsets the capstone advantages.

Overall I do not think that the revamp is largely aimed at this but more aimed at that Sambrog is done using a few champs for tanking and aoe and a cappy for heals.

I do not mind specialization if I can keep the utility. And one great utility we will have is to be able to respec on the fly whenever we are out of combat. This means on one pull I can go with half heals half dps spec, on the next I can go full heals, on another I can get my buffing up.
Even though more than two specs are gated behind TP we should not forget that this can completely change our roles from one pull to the other (I am looking mainly at you runekeepers, loremasters and champions).
Doing something like this is almost the norm in e.g. Rift. changing your role on the fly depending on the pull.

[Kaynith]

Q: How will the new class trait trees affect, if at all, the way we currently earn our Legendary traits?

This may have been answered elsewhere, but I haven't seen it, so apologies in advance if it has been.

For example, on my Champion at level 46, I have half of three books unlocked from grinding pages in the Misty Mountains. To get the other half of the pages requires me to grind them in another zone, in my case, Angmar, Eregion, or Moria.

So...

I have some questions as to how these legendary skills will work with the upcoming class changes.

Are these three initial legendary skills now part of some tree that ye acquire upon attainment of a certain level and/or unlocking part of the tree?

If so, what happens if I have a few pages missing from each skill, are we simply out of luck and have to just get it through the tree?

It also seems that that if the pages have already been fully ground and we've attained the skill that we'll still need to 'unlock' the trait in the tree, if it's at the bottom. (Capstone) ?

In other words, spend skill/trait points to get to the bottom of the tree to use something we may already have slotted in one of our 3 legendary slots.

Or are legendary traits not touched at all in this initial revamp? (And if not, are there plans to change them?)

[TinDragon]

It seems that what I've been doing for years now... going one solid colour (Specialization) on all of my trait lines on all of my toons... and something which I've been laughed at, sneered at, and derided for, in-game, is about to become the norm.

Probably not still. If you go all one color you'll lose quite a few skills you may want or need, so going absolutely one color will probably be even more of a hindrance. That being said, it appears we may have enough points to throw into the other two branches even if we max one branch.

Even though more than two specs are gated behind TP we should not forget that this can completely change our roles from one pull to the other (I am looking mainly at you runekeepers, loremasters and champions).

I think this may actually make captain tanking more viable as well. Captanks kinda suck at AoE aggro but we're pros at single target. We could run around as healers for all the trash and just let the DPS tank them, and then for the boss where a DPS class wouldn't survive we can swap to tank spec.

[bohbashum]

Q: How will the new class trait trees affect, if at all, the way we currently earn our Legendary traits?)

legendary traits are now the capstone the tree iinc. other lessers ones have probably been put around, for example the eagle has been moved very low into the blue line.

we've been told class deeds are still in place. so I'm assuming things like moria book deed, moria rep and moria class quests, alone side all class deeds, class quests and book quests will now give 1 point on the trait tree. but many there will be some rework with class deeds, 21 of them iinc and that might be too many points from what we see, but I might be wrong. tottle assumtion

you probably won't unlock any legenadry traits anymore. they will all be on the tree's. the quests/deeds and stuff will just add another point I assume.

]I think this may actually make captain tanking more viable as well. Captanks kinda suck at AoE aggro but we're pros at single target. We could run around as healers for all the trash and just let the DPS tank them, and then for the boss where a DPS class wouldn't survive we can swap to tank spec.

retraiting any time is so weird to me. good weird. most tree systems have extreme costs or even real money to choose another line.

being able to swap anywhere (I pressume out of combat ofc and not in moors) even un-updated lines like hunter yellow might seem viable more when you see something your slightly scared off. or in RoF one hunter might have desided to switch to make those spider super Ez mode (did it once, it was...).

thinking about how the current trait system, and the screen shot we've seen, I would even make 2 tanking set-ups with basically the same line but a few tiny variations of where I spent my points to mini-max.

so they've really won my vote there. preparing for raid might never be the same again... "dude, get some points there, we need the banana buff to survive the giraffe attack!!!" "shut up steve. I'll respec to lemon spec so he can just dps cos he's an idiot and not got gear in that line well"

[Kaynith]

Probably not still. If you go all one color you'll lose quite a few skills you may want or need, so going absolutely one color will probably be even more of a hindrance. That being said, it appears we may have enough points to throw into the other two branches even if we max one branch.

If the point is to revamp the classes to encourage specialization, then going 'off tree' into other areas is likely going to be penalized in some way, yes?

How often do we get points and how many do we get to start? (Do we get additional points every level, every other level, etc...) And what is the max points pool we will have at 95?

[TinDragon]

If the point is to revamp the classes to encourage specialization, then going 'off tree' into other areas is likely going to be penalized in some way, yes?

Right now the rumour/believed truth/whatever you want to refer to it as is that going into other trees will cost more points, so like if something is 5 points to max in your specialization it may be 10 points instead in another tree. I think something similar to that was mentioned on the Twitter chat. Assuming that's true, you can either give up some points from your main branch to fully maximize certain traits in your off branch, or use the same amount of points as you'd use in your main branch and make it half as effective.

The other thing to note is that specialization seems to affect the traits on the far left (to the left of all three branches). If that's true, I'd imagine specialization wouldn't penalize you too significantly for going into off-branches as it'd already be preventing you from using certain traits with that method.

How often do we get points and how many do we get to start? (Do we get additional points every level, every other level, etc...) And what is the max points pool we will have at 95?

At the very least we're getting a point every 2 levels and a point for every class deed, so at minimum we should have 71. That's not counting legendary trait deeds/quests or anything else that may also give points.

[thefamilyosc]

How often do we get points and how many do we get to start? (Do we get additional points every level, every other level, etc...) And what is the max points pool we will have at 95?

I've estimated 80ish pts, though the total may well be closer to 70 depending on whether we start getting pts immediately or not and if any of the class trait deeds are removed by the revamp. From the info we have, my estimate is pretty generic. 1 pt every 2 levels at lvl 95 = 47-48. 1 pt per class trait deed X 24 deeds = 24. 1pt per legendary trait deed = 7.


Edit: and they have stated that spending outside your specialization will cost double pts, ie 1pt per to specialize tank, 2pts per to add a little from the dps tree.

[bohbashum]

Right now the rumour/believed truth/whatever you want to refer to it as is that going into other trees will cost more point

not a rumour. it was in the twitter chat ages ago. I assume the same as you though, just double cost of points if you go off line. which if you go to far into another line, you might not get all the set bonuses from your main line. so you are very much promoted to go deep into your main line, but I bet there will be some capstones people might not want always.

The other thing to note is that specialization seems to affect the traits on the far left

probably the new set bonuses.

At the very least we're getting a point every 2 levels and a point for every class deed, so at minimum we should have 71. That's not counting legendary trait deeds/quests or anything else that may also give points.

I bet the total is probably lower. remember that the class revamps will be removing and consolidating many skills so will break many class deeds. or even have some skills gated to late into a line so might seem a little unfair. so I expect the total number of class deeds (use x y times) will be cut down. I expect maybe 77 to be the maximum, but in realitity is might be around 60-65 concidering the screenshots have the guy at 53 which is probably an auto leveled guy with all the old deeds done too I bet. so thats 44 in leveling and 9 extra that came from where.

1 pt every 2 levels at lvl 95 = 47-48. 1 pt per class trait deed X 24 deeds = 24. 1pt per legendary trait deed = 7.

remember that we've been told we choose our spec at level 6. assuming we don't get a point till then or then, thats 44 points to 95.

again. I don't think all old class deeds (hit x y times) will be in place.

although I'd love to play a game of "the price is right" with people XD



I bet 65 :P

[Adanamir]

Regarding the shield-like icons to the left of the trait tree lines, I have an educated guess what they may be - specialisations. As it was clearly stated during the Twitter chat on class revamp, we will have to pick a specialisation at an early level, which will give you specific bonuses (answer 3a). I think the best analogy to specialisation is the warsteed types in mounted combat - light, medium and heavy. Thus, the traits we see at the very left of the window are probably the specific bonuses granted when you pick a specialisation. Notice how the Keeper of Animals trait line has a slightly larger font and is in bold yellow. I think this is the trait line picked as specialisation in the example, which ties in with the fact that some of the traits on the left have a blue frame around them.

The other two tabs with a shield icon (probably still a placeholder image) are likely the layout you get when you specialise in one of the other two trait lines. The most logical conclusion would be that if you pick one of these other tabs, you will have different traits to the left. In effect, this gives you once again a 3x3 combination, though in this case it is clearly stated in the Twitter chat that when you specialise, trait costs will be lower in your picked trait line (answer 3a).

Regarding how these bonuses are unlocked, I think it's common sense to say that they are unlocked the deeper you go into the trait line you picked to specialise in. This is also strongly inferred in the Twitter chat (answer 5), and ties in with the image - if the whole trait line was unlocked, you will probably have access to all bonuses.

This poses a question however - does that mean that you will be able to change specialisation the way you can change warsteed type (i.e. any time out of combat, without additional cost)? It would be logical, given how the same approach is used with the mounted combat trait lines. I'd love if Sapience or someone else could confirm that, I doubt anyone would like too many speculations.

[bohbashum]

the shield-like icons to the left of the trait tree lines, I have an educated guess what they may be - specialisations

you choose a spec then how you spend your points. like how you choose a horse size which explains the bonuses are the general design and roll of that type, then you get to mess with points.

there probably just place holder icons for virtues and race traits as they have not been removed and needed a new UI with class and legendary traits removed. those will peobably be able to be used on the fly too, so makes sense.

This poses a question however - does that mean that you will be able to change specialisation the way you can change warsteed type (i.e. any time out of combat, without additional cost)?

yes.

they called retraiting "re-spec" before. mentioned somewhere else that will not be able to retrait just a few points but the whole thing. so re-spec will be the whole thing. which, just costs silver and on the move.

it's probably like that for an incentive so you buy more save slots, as I'm sure they could impliment tanking off points like MC, but choose not to for the little fluff that could have been added to store. it's not pay2win, just pay for convenience.

[TinDragon]

I bet the total is probably lower. remember that the class revamps will be removing and consolidating many skills so will break many class deeds. or even have some skills gated to late into a line so might seem a little unfair. so I expect the total number of class deeds (use x y times) will be cut down. I expect maybe 77 to be the maximum, but in realitity is might be around 60-65 concidering the screenshots have the guy at 53 which is probably an auto leveled guy with all the old deeds done too I bet. so thats 44 in leveling and 9 extra that came from where.

I'm not too sure on this for two reasons.
1) When they had first stated consolidation was a big thing, that was several months before they had mentioned anything about skills being limited to trait trees. I have a feeling not as many skills will be consolidated as you may think.
2) Whenever they change skills around, consolidate, etc they've ended up changing the requirements for the deeds. Obviously part of that reasoning is because they needed to keep that many deeds since they kept that many traits, but the fact that they can just change the requirements of the deeds tells me that they're more likely to change than completely remove deeds.

remember that we've been told we choose our spec at level 6. assuming we don't get a point till then or then, thats 44 points to 95.

I haven't seen that, but I doubt you're lying and it does make sense that if specialization starts at 6, so do the points. The only question that may change number of points at that point is whether level 6 gives you a "special" point to put into a specialization, or if you're immediately able to put a point into a trait.

The other two tabs with a shield icon (probably still a placeholder image) are likely the layout you get when you specialise in one of the other two trait lines. The most logical conclusion would be that if you pick one of these other tabs, you will have different traits to the left. In effect, this gives you once again a 3x3 combination, though in this case it is clearly stated in the Twitter chat that when you specialise, trait costs will be lower in your picked trait line (answer 3a).

That could be it, but my guess is more on the other two tabs being for virtues and racial traits. I assume with retraiting on the fly that bards will be removed or repurposed, and we do know that virtues are being updated to fit the new UI in some way.

Regarding how these bonuses are unlocked, I think it's common sense to say that they are unlocked the deeper you go into the trait line you picked to specialise in. This is also strongly inferred in the Twitter chat (answer 5), and ties in with the image - if the whole trait line was unlocked, you will probably have access to all bonuses.

They do have mini lines and the traits on the left line up with the lowest they've gone in the specialization tree, so that's a safe guess. It'll be interesting to see if you could "specialize" in healing but then go far enough in a DPS line to unlock the healing specialization traits.

This poses a question however - does that mean that you will be able to change specialisation the way you can change warsteed type (i.e. any time out of combat, without additional cost)? It would be logical, given how the same approach is used with the mounted combat trait lines. I'd love if Sapience or someone else could confirm that, I doubt anyone would like too many speculations.

Already confirmed that when retraiting you have to redo everything including specialization, and that it costs silver. So it'll be easy to switch, but a little time-consuming and won't be free. Of course, that's what we have builds for. I'm assuming there's no silver cost to switch to a different build, just to retrait your traits in that build.

[GrimbleGrumble]

I am more than disapointed that we now learn that despite official hints of housing revamp that there will be none. Although I have heard rumours of crafting instances in neighbourhoods which I think is pretty lame if it is the only further "up-date" beyond the restoration of the original mechanism of forclosing on rent indebited homes.

I'm not gonna bother looking for the quote, but we were told at least a month ago that the housing revamp would not be part of HD launch, but following after.

[Sapience]

Every older beta member know that sapience has a hunter who can one shot everything and pops balrog like candy. P

I have my own little Balrog dispenser.

I'm not gonna bother looking for the quote, but we were told at least a month ago that the housing revamp would not be part of HD launch, but following after.

Correct. We've always said this year and if you recall back to the Helm's Deep press release, Housing isn't on it because Housing isn't part of the expansion. Never was.

[Crell_1]

I have my own little Balrog dispenser.

Balrogs being one of the least deadly things it dispenses.

*shudders at some of those delving bosses*

[AaylaKheledlire]

We read infos and saw pictures, gameplay videos about HD, but When will come the original announcement from Turbine?

[Zombielord]

We read infos and saw pictures, gameplay videos about HD, but When will come the original announcement from Turbine?

With rumours about upcoming beta tests I really wonder if I actually might have missed the preorder O.o

[Adanamir]

they called retraiting "re-spec" before. mentioned somewhere else that will not be able to retrait just a few points but the whole thing. so re-spec will be the whole thing. which, just costs silver and on the move.

I didn't mean this exactly, but I realise I could have answered my question at the end myself. I am well aware that if you want to change the trait distribution within a chosen specialisation, you need to do it all over again, just like in MC. What I speculated about was whether you could change specialisationson the fly, which I guess are similar to warsteed types. The most probable answer is that we will be able to, but we will have only two trait slots to do it, as in MC.

To clarify, here is an example - you play a minstrel, and one of your trait slots is a healer specialisation. You get some healing bonuses, like specific traits/skills/bonuses (which I theorise is what we see left of the three trait lines). Then, in another trait slot, you choose a DPS specialisation; you get different bonuses to the left, and you trait mostly in your red trait line. After that, you can switch between the two trait specs out of combat at will (without any cost). If you want to specialise in the third trait line, however, you will either have to rearrange one of your existing trait specs (which will cost silver), or unlock a third trait slot with mithril coins or TPs.

This probably means that the other two tabs are indeed racial traits and virtues, as many people said above. By the way, I wonder whether non-capstone legendary traits by any chance part of those specialisation bonuses the devs spoke about in the Twitter chat? I'd guess they are, it would make sense ...

[monk_tbd]

We read infos and saw pictures, gameplay videos about HD, but When will come the original announcement from Turbine?

Probably around end of April 2013

[TinDragon]

I didn't mean this exactly, but I realise I could have answered my question at the end myself. I am well aware that if you want to change the trait distribution within a chosen specialisation, you need to do it all over again, just like in MC. What I speculated about was whether you could change specialisationson the fly, which I guess are similar to warsteed types. The most probable answer is that we will be able to, but we will have only two trait slots to do it, as in MC.

To clarify, here is an example - you play a minstrel, and one of your trait slots is a healer specialisation. You get some healing bonuses, like specific traits/skills/bonuses (which I theorise is what we see left of the three trait lines). Then, in another trait slot, you choose a DPS specialisation; you get different bonuses to the left, and you trait mostly in your red trait line. After that, you can switch between the two trait specs out of combat at will (without any cost). If you want to specialise in the third trait line, however, you will either have to rearrange one of your existing trait specs (which will cost silver), or unlock a third trait slot with mithril coins or TPs.

Yep, that's pretty much exactly it.

By the way, I wonder whether non-capstone legendary traits by any chance part of those specialisation bonuses the devs spoke about in the Twitter chat? I'd guess they are, it would make sense ...

Some may be, some may not. You'll notice the Eagle, currently a non-capstone legendary, is near the top of the blue tree for LMs.
Since non-capstones can be used in multiple builds, I doubt most of them will end up being specialization bonuses, since their whole purpose is being able to be equipped at any time. Even something like "Challenge the Darkness" would be tough to place in one specialization, since the way guards are set up it's effective in two different trait lines (since the guard has two tank lines).

[AaylaKheledlire]

Yep, but about Pre-order

[bohbashum]

I'm not too sure on this for two reasons.
1) When they had first stated consolidation was a big thing, that was several months before they had mentioned anything about skills being limited to trait trees. I have a feeling not as many skills will be consolidated as you may think.

from the ~21 current class deeds like that, I would think those would be reduced, so the total of ~80 you said seems too high imo.

going off the assumtion it costs 5 points to get to the next layor (looks like it). notice that if it costs 31 points to get the capstone and if the off line you go to costs twice as much, that'll cost 62 to cap that. at 77 points total thats 31 in main line minimum to get to capstone then a spare 46 points in your secondary line, which will get you ~2/3 down it.

I expect the line to be split up into sections too. capstone with markers of epicness along the way that might unlock skills or epic bonuses. if 77 was max, you'd be getting all your main line and 2/3rd of another, which sounds like nice choice tbh.

wouln't just be choosing what line you went down, but also what was your secondary. ofc you wouldn't get the set bonuses from your spec. but instead of just A/B/C, it's more like Ab,Ac,Ba,Bc,Ca,Cb with also a large choice how to even your mainline to your secondary/tertiary line. which sounds like some good viable choice to me.

why I say 77 might be the max. I also don't think that number came out of random for MC too. might be a plan there...

2) Whenever they change skills around, consolidate, etc they've ended up changing the requirements for the deeds. Obviously part of that reasoning is because they needed to keep that many deeds since they kept that many traits, but the fact that they can just change the requirements of the deeds tells me that they're more likely to change than completely remove deeds.

not completely remove, just remove some. it'll be there where the total numbers will be able to be maniplulate as they'll need legadary books and stuff to still give a class banus (class point).

I haven't seen that, but I doubt you're lying and it does make sense that if specialization starts at 6, so do the points

one of the first things we got told if thats still the design.

something like

"you will choose a specification at level 6, you can respec."

I assume thats like leaving the intro area you get to see how your class will really be. like SWTOR kinda. but instead of a choice that changes your class massively you might hate, it's a smaller choice you might be able to afford to change in a few levels.

I suspect it'll just give you a choice of what horse/spec you choose and not give a point, then a point every odd level till 95

To clarify, here is an example - you play a minstrel, and one of your trait slots is a healer specialisation. You get some healing bonuses, like specific traits/skills/bonuses (which I theorise is what we see left of the three trait lines). Then, in another trait slot, you choose a DPS specialisation; you get different bonuses to the left, and you trait mostly in your red trait line. After that, you can switch between the two trait specs out of combat at will (without any cost). If you want to specialise in the third trait line, however, you will either have to rearrange one of your existing trait specs (which will cost silver), or unlock a third trait slot with mithril coins or TPs.

oh sorry, didn't think of that. I wouldn't mind it to cost a little, we've been told it's still only silver, so it's a tiny money sink to many capped players (larger for leveling players ofc). so I'd expect it'll cost money always as those high levels would be the ones retraiting the most. well, maybe. no idea tbh.

I wonder whether non-capstone legendary traits by any chance part of those specialisation bonuses the devs spoke about

can see on the screenshot we got on lore-master that the eagle (earned from 45 class quests) is very low on the blue line. it also looks like the bog leerker is on the set bonuses for blue too, assuming that is the set bonuses on the right.

we don't see any others. unless the ring of fire thing is sticky gourd, but that means sticky gourd is no longer capstone and that tornado thing took over.

but they could also just be some placeholders in the mean time.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a mix of both. some old legandaries go to set bonuses, some just on the tree. I'm sure there will be better new traits and we shouldn't really call them legandary anymore XD weird to think sometimes but it's not like some of them wore anyway. it'd be nice to see some brand new ones.

[Namesse]

As the "Community Manager" I have a question for you. Is Turbine specifically trying to drive off all of the Lifetime/Founder accounts? I see no purpose of making such dramatic & drastic changes to a perfectly fine system, much less put stuff into a "WOW" cloned Tree.

What does your heart tell you?

[PypeRings]

Of all the things I have read today, and there are many because that is largely how I spend my time these days, I found this quote the most entertaining and relevant to this discussion:

"Specialization is for insects."
- Robert Heinlein

Cheers --

[Widmore]

OK, maybe I'm one of the minority here, but I'm looking forward to giving the trees a go.

That might be influenced by the fact that I was waiting ages for DDO to add the enhancement trees, and was definitely not disappointed by them.
Which also leads me to wonder if there was a global tree-system design team. Or maybe DDO and LOTRO just passed notes across the hall.

But what I'm really wondering, and crossing my fingers for, is that it appears the new class tree won't be partially subscription locked anymore.
Ooooooh, that would make me so happy........ but I'll hold my enthusiasm till I know for certain.

[monk_tbd]

But what I'm really wondering, and crossing my fingers for, is that it appears the new class tree won't be partially subscription locked anymore.
Ooooooh, that would make me so happy........ but I'll hold my enthusiasm till I know for certain.

From the twitter QA:

Q3: Leixy: Using war-steeds as a template, how will trait points be earned and spent on trait trees? #LOTRO
A3: HoarseDev: You’ll earn a point every other level. You’ll also earn points from some deeds. #LOTRO
A3a:You’ll choose a specialization at an early level that will grant specific bonuses and affect the cost of traits as you spend them #LOTRO

Q5: banjolier: For players who spent TP to unlock trait slots, how will you convert our existing purchases to the new system? #LOTRO
A5: HoarseDev: Your specialization choice gives you access to bonuses as you spend points. #LOTRO
A5a: These are unlocked in the same way as the old slots and those purchases carry over to the new system. #LOTRO

Q6: Laire: Will we be able to save different trait set-ups? If so, how many? #LOTRO
A6: HoarseDev: Two set-ups to start. You can purchase more if you like. #LOTRO

Q7: Grhysli: How much of this new system is going to be gated behind the LOTRO Store? #LOTRO
A7: HoarseDev: Only the slots similar to the old Premium/F2P purchases and additional builds after the two you get for free. #LOTRO

Q22: @brrzap can we change specializations later or is this a 1-time choice? #lotro
A22: DeviledEGG Yes you can change your specializations. Respecing your tree will also allow you to choose a new specialization.

Q25: @ElinneaG Will new characters be able to see all the traits/skills before choosing a specialization? #LOTRO
A25: HoarseDev Yes. You'll be able to see all specializations and trees before deciding. #LOTRO

Q27: @nick_wilbur you guys keep saying specialization will be chosen at a low level & bonuses granted. Initially, what can we expect with toons at 85?
A27: DeviledEGG We'll autogrant you the correct number of points for your level. #LOTRO
A27a: Deeds that previously gave traits will give trait points. #LOTRO
A27b: You can choose your specialization and spend your points when you login when HD goes live. #LOTRO

Q33: @Scoed To respec for silver, will we have to refund and respend all points, or just the parts we want to change? #LOTRO
A33: HoarseDev It's all or nothing. #LOTRO

Q37: @Lord_Dolvic will we still have "use skill X" deeds, legendary trait page deeds and quests? Will they now reward trait points? #LOTRO
A37: DeviledEGG Completing these deeds will now reward trait points.
A37a: Jinjaah If you have already completed these deeds, your progress will be carried over. #LOTRO

Q39: @leixicon will all trait lines still be auto-unlocked for VIPs? #LOTRO
A39: Hoarsedev Yes they will. #LOTRO

So there will be some gating behind TP.
For sure for the number of saved builds (2 are free).

It seems that maybe like the warsteed trees that one specialization will be free , whether you can choose which one or if it is given for a class (like the blue line is always free) is another question.
Maybe all specializations are open but only certain bonuses are not (see Q5) so maybe the set bonuses on the left are TP gated?