Report 1095

Report #1095
Skillset: Crow Skill: SavageArmour
 Org: Ebonguard Status: Rejected Oct 2013
Furies' Decision:
We can revisit this after the buff/debuff overhaul.
Problem: Crow has long been an extremely lackluster choice for warriors,
especially in comparison to the other option available (Night). For a time it
was possible to narrow the gap down by spending thousands of credits to utilize
skillflex and pair Nightkiss with the Crow skillset, but such is no longer an
option. At the same time, that no longer being available means that it is
possible to advance ideas for Crow again without having to consider how it would
impact balance when skillflex is considered.
Solution #1: New ability - SavageArmour. Activateable ability that -requires-
 the user be wearing armour (not greatrobes or highfashion
 outfits). Provides defensive DMP based on armour level:
 leather=5dmp, scale=10dmp, chain=15dmp, plate=20dmp. Consumes 1
 carrion per minute, rate of consumption halved in Crowform.
 (*Note: If too difficult to base on armour type, simply make it
 for plate only)
Solution #2: In addition to solution 1, add an effect based on the current
 user's health. If at 90% health, +5 offensive DMP. If at 50%
 health, +10 offensive dmp. If at 10% health, +20 offensive DMP.
 Scales between these ranges. - As battle rages and the user is
 injured, they become more fierce- but this is not an effect that
 can be controlled by the user.
Player Comments:
---[Xenthos on 10/10 @ 02:52 writes]:
I envision this as essentially an ability that imbues the armour with the
menacing shadow of Crow, causing those who approach to "shy away" (providing the
damage reduction, as blows hit with less effect). The reason for requiring
armour would be so that it does not skew the balance of Blacktalon- while they
could utilize it with leather, it would leave them extraordinarily vulnerable to
wounding from warriors and monks. Solution 1 will definitely not break
Ebonguard balance and should not impact Blacktalon much either, but will reduce
the disparity between the two skillsets and leave both as viable choices for
different reasons.
---[Xenthos on 10/10 @ 02:53 writes]:
I went with carrion as the source instead of power so that if you are attempting
to use this in combat -alongside- the other offensive abilities of Crow, you
will quickly deplete your reserves of stored carrion and be left without any of
these abilities (as I envision this falling once you run out of stored carrion).
I would not be averse to using it as a power defense instead, but this seems to
fit more in the skillset's theme and it would provide the skillset a much needed
niche skill (along with giving Crowform a very tangible and worthwhile reason
for existing for Ebonguard).
---[Synkarin on 10/10 @ 04:48 writes]:
Support both solutions
---[Chade on 10/10 @ 23:42 writes]:
Both solutions supported, sounds good!
---[Wobou on 10/12 @ 17:28 writes]:
Solution 2 sounds good to me.
---[Llandros on 10/14 @ 14:15 writes]:
1 sounds good. If the damage dmp in 2 is tied to wearing armor as well then it's
fine. If not then it's a hefty buff to BT's that can already hit pretty hard.
---[Hiriako on 10/14 @ 22:03 writes]:
Sounds like a reasonable thing. Although I will admit a touch of jealousy on a
neat skill as a Stag user, it seems that Crow is quite poor for warriors. So
supported.
---[Xenthos on 10/15 @ 01:29 writes]:
Llandros: The skill can only be activated when wearing armour (so the buff would
only be in effect when wearing armour, and not robes). Thta's the intent at
least.
---[Talan on 10/16 @ 02:24 writes]:
Support both
---[Vivet on 10/17 @ 14:17 writes]:
Supported.
---[Shuyin on 10/18 @ 04:11 writes]:
Sure
---[Thoros on 10/20 @ 13:36 writes]:
I like the concept of this idea, sounds new and cool. Supported. I feel like 20
dmp for plate is a bit too much though.
---[Xenthos on 10/20 @ 18:29 writes]:
It's less than the 24 for Nightkiss / Drawdown, so I'm not sure why you would
be.
---[Enyalida on 10/20 @ 23:40 writes]:
Presumably (if he feels that 20 is too much) he feels that 24 is ALSO too much.
Just because it exists doesn't necessarily make it a good idea. This sounds
okay, but the defense dmp should be toned down if solution 2 is chosen.
---[Xenthos on 10/21 @ 21:43 writes]:
Why? I can't see a good balance-related reason for his stance (or yours). This
suggestion is not going to imbalance or break Crow for either warriors or Druids
(as there will still be a better alternative for Warriors and the impact is
greatly reduced for Druids). In addition, Night comes with stolen shadow
(+damage), along with weaponaura (+20/+22/+10 to a 2h weapon stats) which still
leaves it superior in that regard as well. I see this as a neatly flavoured
skill that helps to reduce the gulf between them, allowing it to be selected as
a choice by Ebonguard. While it would still be better than nothing if watered
down, watering it down does just widen the gulf further once more.