In the ever-evolving landscape of MMORPGs, Throne and Liberty has established itself as a unique contender since its full release in early 2024. However, a persistent concern among players centers around one critical aspect: the rigidity of character builds and the potential to create what many refer to as "Throne and Liberty only bad builds" that can severely hamper gameplay progression.

Unlike traditional MMOs that offer forgiving respec options, Throne and Liberty implements a challenging system where early-game decisions can have long-lasting consequences on your character's viability. This distinctive approach to character progression has sparked heated debates across gaming forums and communities throughout 2025.

The Unforgiving Nature of Weapon Progression

One of the most significant issues players encounter relates to weapon progression. As one experienced player explained: "If you decide at level 30 that you want to try a different weapon combo, you're absolutely hindered in every way imaginable." This limitation stems from the weapon skill point system and the scarcity of skill books needed for leveling alternate weapons.

The books required to level up weapons aren't in infinite supply unless you're willing to spend real money. This creates a scenario where experimentation becomes prohibitively expensive, both in terms of in-game resources and actual currency.

What makes this particularly problematic is that:

1. Weapon XP can only be gained from appropriate-level monsters

2. Switching to a new weapon at higher levels leaves you with level 1 skills

3. The game balances enemy difficulty assuming your skills match your character level

Armor Progression Follows Similar Restrictions

This same restrictive philosophy extends to armor choices. If you invest your limited Main Story Quest skillbooks into specific armor pieces and later decide to change your armor strategy, you'll find yourself at a significant disadvantage for an extended period.

This limitation becomes especially problematic for tank-focused builds, where armor attributes directly impact your primary role's effectiveness. The game's design essentially punishes experimentation and adaptation rather than encouraging it.

Can You Actually Ruin Your Character?

Perhaps most concerning is that Throne and Liberty rarely communicates these limitations clearly to new players. One veteran player noted: "This is one of the very few MMOs I've encountered where you can actually ruin your character with no recovery path."

While some defenders argue that tutorials explain these mechanics, the reality is that the long-term implications of early decisions aren't adequately emphasized. This has led to situations where players feel their only option is to delete and restart their character after dozens of hours of investment.

Counterarguments and Solutions

Not everyone agrees with these criticisms. Some players have successfully navigated build changes by utilizing the game's equipment transfer system, which allows transferring experience between items of the same rarity. Additionally, as one player pointed out: "You can swap weapons and be completely fine assuming you're not replacing a level 6 green or level 9 blue with a level 0 grey."

Other strategies for managing build transitions include:

• Using tear drops and contract missions to quickly level new weapons

• Crafting skill books from materials gathered in public dungeons

• Building green equipment and leveling it quickly by sacrificing blue upgrade items

• Utilizing the three available equipment slots to maintain different attribute distributions

PvP vs. PvE Considerations

An important distinction emerges when discussing Throne and Liberty builds: the PvP versus PvE divide. As one player succinctly put it: "PvP build works for PvE, PvE build does not work for PvP." This reality has led many players to prioritize PvP-oriented builds, even if they primarily enjoy PvE content.

The consensus among experienced players is that:

• PvE kits are easier to build after establishing a PvP set

• Trait selections matter less in PvE environments

• PvP sets require significantly more investment to maximize

The Value of Build Guides

Given these complexities, many players turn to build guides from sites like Maxroll. While some purists might view this as "cheating," the reality is that these guides represent hundreds of collective hours of testing and optimization.

For most players, especially those with limited gaming time, following established builds is simply efficient. As one player explained: "My old man brain isn't going to come up with anything even remotely as good... I'd probably be trying to force summoner necro without a guide which is unfortunately beyond poor right now."

The intricate stat system in Throne and Liberty further justifies guide usage. With obscure mechanics like "percentage of damage when a debuff is applied," many would find the game impenetrable without community guidance.

In conclusion, while Throne and Liberty offers a uniquely challenging approach to character building, players need to enter with eyes wide open. Understanding the long-term implications of early decisions and being willing to research optimal paths can help avoid the dreaded scenario of creating "Throne and Liberty only bad builds" that permanently hamper your gaming experience.

Whether this system represents a refreshing challenge or a frustrating limitation ultimately depends on your gaming preferences – but knowledge remains your best defense against potential character development pitfalls.