I'd like to discuss some of the issues I have with the current setup for tradeskills on the Engineers and Traders as well as Engineer ideas.
The Engineer: My idea of the engineer in the world of Rubi-ka is that of a Techno-crat. That is... a genius with technology that, with using the technology at his disposal could make or achieve nearly anything. This would mean that the engineer much as he is now has nanos that only create either items(bots) or energy fields. This is perfectly in-line with the Eng.
But what I think is lacking is that the Engineer needs more trade skill defined abilities. Such as a greater variety of bots, weapons, armour for the eng that require their trade skills to use. The implementation of Tradeskill-weapons would be cool. Really, there are alot of tools and equipment that is extremely dangerous. Why wouldn't an Engineer use say a hand held version of a particle accelerator to punch holes in his enemies? Or some form of laser used to cut rock or hard metals? Or even small chemical devices that would be similiar to AoE grenades like nepalm etc. Now weapons like this would be based partly on Pistol, heavy weapons, grenades (low req eng skills) and primarily on mech eng, elec eng.
Introduction of weapons like this would further enhance the "feel" and atmosphere of an engineer not to mention reduce the Vektor ND clones that are going on.
One point I made was that new bots should be made available. These would be various versions of bots such as a ranged weapon bot variant of the melee bot we currently have. The info i've heard of the kamikazee bot sounds like a step in the right direction though.
The other issue I have is with Traders. Not exactly sure what the Funcom vision of this prof is but it seems mixed. Why the Trader has any trade skill at all is beyond me. Take a look at modern day "Traders", that is stock brokers and their ilk. Tell me what kind of RL Trader has knowledge about even auto mechanics let alone Quantum Physics. The AO version should be similiar IMO where the Trader is allowed access to special trade areas such as the upcoming black-market. But I think the best role for the trader would be to make them a hybrid NT/Soldier. They are pretty much on the mark now but enhancing HP and nano skills would go a long way. But at the cost of removing their trade skill nanos or giving them to the eng. Traders are like nano-vampires where they give and take items, skills and nanos at their whim and I don't really see how their being the best trade skill prof fits in.