Report 679

Report #679
Skillset: Phantasms Skill: Phantomsphere
 Org: Shofangi Status: Rejected Aug 2011
Furies' Decision:
We do not agree that phantomspheres are overpowered and cannot see a reason to
approve this report.
Problem: Phantomspheres currently provide a power free way to essentially force
someone to run away from you for a length of time. It seems that each sphere
cures on a ten second timer upon leaving the demesne, so to cure out of two
phantomspheres it requires 20 seconds in addition to the time to traverse out of
the demesne which can be substantial due to swimming/climbing rubble/etc. In
comparison a Sacraments user can spend 6p to use heretic and infidel and force
someone to run for about 12 seconds to avoid inquisition. I feel that giving
that level of control over a fight (essentially deciding whether someone stays
or leaves) in addition to their demesne is too much. Particularly as it rewards
running with an offensive action and at no power cost.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #1: Add a 3p cost to weaving a phantomsphere.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #2: Add a 2p cost to weaving a phantomsphere, allow focus
 spirit to cure spheres once outside of a demesne.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #3: Allow focus spirit to cure spheres in or outside the
 demesne.
Player Comments:
---[Enyalida on 8/13 @ 20:59 writes]:
When melds were changed to remove demesne-wide effects, the mechanics of
phantomsphere gave mages a distinct advantage over druids, the ability to
utilize their demesne for offense from a distance. I support curtailing that
somewhat.
---[Ethelon on 8/15 @ 23:57 writes]:
Solution 3 would be a good balance.
---[Nydekion on 8/16 @ 07:10 writes]:
Considering the restrictions on phantomspheres (can't attack someone with a
sphere if they are in the same room as the demesne user), a focus spirit cure
ends up turning phantomspheres into something that ends up being fairly useless
as the target can focus in an unrestricted manner as they are in no danger
whatsoever, unlike other focus spirit afflictions which, at least, offer some
danger (most who can give focus spirit afflictions also have a mana-based
insta). Therefore, if a focus spirit cure is given, perhaps allow phantomspheres
in the same room with the demesne user attack targets as well.
---[Enyalida on 8/17 @ 23:07 writes]:
I agree with Nyd, focus spirit curing seems too powerful of a nerf. If made
afocus spirit cure, it would have to be a delayed cure, where you focus spirit
and x seconds later it cures.
---[Morbo on 8/18 @ 01:31 writes]:
I think saying someone is in no danger in a demesne isn't accurate. Not only
would this help buff two of the more underpowered tertiaries (Dreamweaving, TP)
by creating another method to drain significant amounts of mana. The issue with
phantom spheres now is that it costs no power and it is usable in an environment
in which the mage control the environment. Windwalls, rubbles, currents, all of
that helps to make it so the mage can move significantly easier than the target.
This means that being able to attack while not in the room is entirely to the
advantage of the mage, not the target. As it is, phantom spheres completely halt
combat as it gives both the user and the target reasons to run from each other.
That means that this is a powerless offensive ability that translates into an
almost perfect defense for the user. Because phantom spheres completely stop
combat at no cost to the user I would support any of these solutions
---[Xenthos on 8/21 @ 03:55 writes]:
I've always been kind of bothered by phantomspheres and how slowly they cure
once you leave the demesne, especially in an area that is small enough where you
can't really feasibly leave the demesne. I actually do not mind the idea where
two small changes are made: 1) They can also be cured with focus spirit, and 2)
They can be used when in the same room as the caster (as per Nydekion's
comment).
---[Wobou on 8/29 @ 17:01 writes]:
I like Xenthos' compromise.