Report 717

Report #717
Skillset: Telepathy Skill: New
 Org: Pyromancers Status: Completed Nov 2011
Furies' Decision:
We will consider these solutions further. We do not like solution 2 or 3. We
will probably implement a modified version of solution 1 and try to work out
something to fill in the other areas that are lacking in Telepathy.
Problem: Oftentimes, even for the non-combatants, Telekinesis (TK) is chosen
over Telepathy (TP) for the amount of utility available in the former's
skillset. From the simple PsychicLift to the grand ForceField, TK far outshines
TP from a utility stand point alone, much less when combat is taken into
perspective as well. A report is thus made to hopefully introduce some more
mechanical benefits to TP to encourage its choice for newcomers to any mage
guild who, more often than not, just get pointed towards the benefits TK gives
since TP has nothing suitable to offer in consideration.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #1: Create a new ability desirable for roleplayers on a
 locked channel. Have this skill enable the caster to
 psychically understand any spoken language, much like
 the Illithoid.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #2: Create a new ability desirable for influencers on a
 locked channel. Have this skill increase the amount
 of esteem and experience gained from influencing.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #3: Create a new ability desirable for bashers on a
 locked channel. Have this skill give the caster a
 percent chance to deal a burst of psychic damage
 after a staffcast/blast attack done on a denizen
 (mind, only denizens). Flavoured around the concept
 of an afterthought.
Player Comments:
---[Viynain on 11/9 @ 03:54 writes]:
Ideally, solution one AND another solution would be introduced to TP much as how
TK has two neat utility skills in the skillset. If folk have some neater utility
ideas, feel free to speak up. Just keep in mind TP's flavour!
---[Rathan on 11/9 @ 14:44 writes]:
While I agree with the basic premise of the report, each solution fails to
provide justifications for its proposed new skill. Those of us on this side of
the game can infer them easily enough, but you may have an easier time getting
the report past the admin if, after you describe the ability, you write one or
two sentences explaining why each individual skill would be needed/desired. I
have just noticed that reports tend to get rejected when they have three very
different solutions without explanations of how each one addresses the problem.
---[Viynain on 11/9 @ 20:22 writes]:
As most reports have a tendency to ramble, keeping the ideas as proposed short
in the report itself is desirable while specifics are outlined in the comments
section, As for providing justification for each new skill, their interpretation
can vary widely from person to person. From a mechanical point of view, the
problem is clearly stated in the corresponding section. From a flavour
perspective, solutions one and three are either stated already or obvious. For
the second solution, the Telepath in question already has an ability to subvert
will. Applying a stronger influence is obvious, but repeated so often, it is
dull (though welcome, if no other option persists). Changing the reward from
stronger influence to an increased gain from influence instead would be a spin
away, but still retains close proximity to the original flavour of the idea.
---[Xenthos on 11/14 @ 23:10 writes]:
I don't really like any of these solutions. TK is picked because it provides a
huge amount of tankiness in PvE. I had envisioned something similar in regards
to providing tankiness in influencing-- for example, a 15%-25% reduction in ego
costs when -influencing- an NPC, as well as a buff to influencing in general,
when the channel is locked. This would give it great appeal to the other end of
the playerbase, the influencing section.
---[Xenthos on 11/14 @ 23:11 writes]:
The RP justification is clear, a Telepath has the ability to sense moods and
'steer the conversation' appropriately, reducing costs and making their
influencing more effective.
---[Rivius on 11/19 @ 09:06 writes]:
Hrm. I like Xenthos' idea though if I had to choose from the given solutions, I
would go with 1 and 2 perhaps (no reason why they would be mutually exclusive).
---[Shedrin on 11/27 @ 23:52 writes]:
I like Xentho's solution as well. Otherwise, Sol 2.