Idea for Steel and Shadow

[matrim]

As I use Selen a lot (but the new Tamilin is so good too, stop making decisions so hard TBs!) I am constantly thinking of ways she could be cooler. Well here it goes!
Steel and Shadow, buffs for 1 turn (no skill increases this), uses 8 AP
1. +12% critical, +8MP, increases AP consumption of ranged attacks by 6
2-9 some fancy numbers showing increases
10. +40% critical, +15MP, increases AP consumption of ranged attacks by 6

Ok, hear me out on this. The buff only lasts 1 turn and with the way you have combat set up that means you can only take advantage of this buff if you surprise the monsters (buffs run for a turn if you lose stealth so this buff would expire before you could use it). It uses 8 AP which makes it unusable in combat, check! Gives critical for some satisfyingly big hits in the opening round. Blocks out PS and normal ranged shots in the opening round so there is a cost associated with taking this talent (no opening round debuff/AE rain of death with PS). Lastly, huge MP boost to be able to move in, hit what you want to hit, and move back to safety. Possible applications: Move in and KILL! The most obvious and straight forward, be an awesome ninja stealth killer and then run back to Vraes to avoid the brutal retaliation (This is how everyone wants to play their rogue!). Debuff, Punishing Blades is strong but I find it hard to use as I tend to AE and rely on Selen to clean up after. If I use PB to debuff first then inevitably some of the monsters are left standing which Vincent dislikes. With this you can run in, conceivably PB 7 different targets to set up some awesome hits and then get out and let the AE death rain down on the same or next turn. This is also a way different flavour than Tamilin's stealth talent, which is refreshing.

Whatcha think?

[fallen]

matrim - Instead of having it cost 8 AP, I think we'd just say it can't be cast in combat. That would be easy enough.

I am not sure about the increase of AP consumption of ranged attacks, not sure how we'd add that to the system. The rest look like the kind of abilities you'd want, but I am not sure I like the implementation as a Buff.

We are continually looking at S&S, along with a very short list of other Talents, considering how to improve them. Currently, the improvement plans are on the shelf in favor of finishing E4 again.

Great post!

[Cory Trese]

Yeah variable effect AP isn't something we'd be able to include ... both from system cost and UI, user explain and UX.

I think we want to make it a more fun Talent without making it too hard to use ... or require too much player pre-planning.

[xdesperado]

Make it a buffing/cursing attack.
Keep the surprise crit % and damage but have successful hits give her a +MP buff and curse enemies with -Resistance and Parry. Keeps it relevant even in scripted fights while still providing a big bonus for surprise rounds.

[matrim]

xdesperado I was trying to think of something similar but I could not get around the fact that you were still eating 4-7 AP/MP to get to the enemy to see any benefit. It works for Tamilin because it is a devastating ranged attack. Selen's is melee focused but just trying to use it puts her in the middle of all those melee mobs and anything that can shoot. On top of the danger, there is the fact that you have 4ish AP left to use on the attack by the time you get there and no recourse afterward to minimize retaliation. It is a hard thing to balance that is for sure.

[wascalwywabbit]

matrim That sounds like a pretty cool idea.

fallen If she gains sufficient mp thru a buff like DoS would that allow the SaS remain an empowered attack, since you suggest you don't want SaS a self buff? E.g. DoS (maybe BN too?) gains 1 mp per lvl stealth round only (remains as is for non-stealth), SaS remains hit crit melee talent with an attacking self buff (e.g. +1 prry +1% crit per lvl, 3 rnd) or curse (-prry, -dmg?) added? She needs something to help keep her alive in the midst with SaS.

As it stands now stealth round wins are valuable for survival rates, scouting and positioning, but the enemies start so far away characters/talents not built for range and mp are not really gaining much.

[xdesperado]

Ok just a crazy idea I had, probably way overpowered and too hard to implement.

Level 1: AP by weapon, SP8; +3 Damage, +1 Accuracy, +3% Critical, Curses for -1 Resistance for 3 rounds on successful melee attack. Surprise Round only attack adds 100% damage figured before any possible critical.
Level 2: SP12; +6 Damage, +2 Accuracy, +6% Critical, -2 Resistance, Self buff for +1MP for 3 rounds on successful melee attack.
Level 3: SP18; +9 Damage, +3 Accuracy, +9% Critical, -3 Resistance, Curses for -2 Parry for 3 rounds on successful melee attack.
Level 4: SP24; +12 Damage, +4 Accuracy, +12% Critical, -4 Resistance, Attack becomes small cross shaped.
Level 5: SP30; +15 Damage, +5 Accuracy, +15% Critical, -5 Resistance. Surprise round only attack adds 150% damage figured before any possible critical.
Level 6: SP36; +18 Damage, +6 Accuracy, +18% Critical, -6 Resistance, +2MP.
Level 7: SP42; +21 Damage, +7 Accuracy, +21% Critical, -7 Resistance, -4 Parry.
Level 8: SP50; +24 Damage, +8 Accuracy, +24% Critical, -8 Resistance, attack becomes small square.
Level 9: SP58; +27 Damage, +9 Accuracy, +27% Critical, -9 Resistance, +3MP.
Level 10: SP64; +30 Damage, +10 Accuracy, +30% Critical, -10 Resistance. Surprise Round only attack adds 200% Damage figured before any possible Critical.

[fallen]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Some good ideas for sure, that might help us move forward at a later date.

[Cory Trese]

Hahaha fallen you sly dog

[wascalwywabbit]

Mar 29, 2016 20:26:51 GMT -5 fallen said:

...that might help us move forward at a later date.

I see what you did there... Give us enough mp to move backward as well, if no safety boost, ok?

PS I know ep 4 is primary, but it'd be a shame for Selen to not have a top-notch lvl 18 by end-game.

[fallen]

Thanks!

As Cory semi-mentioned, we've already started kicking around an idea. Just a matter of hours.