I really like the idea that, as someone on here put it so well (sorry can't remember who it was), "Avatars are less of a step up than they are a step sideways". They often totally change how the master plays (like changing a support caster to a melee beastie). Now I only play ASeamus so far (just because I can't decide which avatar to get next, keep changing between APandora, AViks, ACrid, etc. I WANT AVATAR OPHELIA!!!!) so my opinion might be a little biased but I think they are a great OPTION, not a requirement.