Report 767

Report #767
Skillset: Necromancy Skill: Deathweapon
 Org: Ur'Guard Status: Rejected Jan 2012
Furies' Decision:
Deathweapon intentionally has status maluses. We dislike the offered solutions
and decline them.
Problem: Deathweapon is currently more of a drawback to use than a bonus in
combat. Currently, when you mark a weapon it reduces stats -8/-8/-8 (1 handed
weapons), increases deathmark 1 level every successful hit, and scales the
plague affliction application as the deathmark level rises starting at level 1
mark which is particularly insignificant. Due to how the scaling works,
deathmark is only of remote use in 1v1 situations yielding a plague aff low %
chance at the sacrifice of damage, precision, and speed.
Solution #1: Let deathweapon mark a weapon with +5 stats for 1 handers
 (+10/11/5 for 2handers) instead of the reduction, add power cost
 if necessary
Solution #2: New syntax to add 20 precision (1h, convert for 2h) instead of
 its current effects (no plague affs)
Solution #3: Keep deathweapon stat reduction, but allow the deathweapon to do
 double wounds on the marked weapon (50% total bonus) while under
 Omen for 1 handers and 50% bonus wounds for 2 handers
Player Comments:
---[Xenthos on 1/15 @ 23:39 writes]:
I can't help but look at solution 1 and then look at report 722 (where it
specifically states that DeathMark is supposed to have a negative effect based
on what it adds). I don't see any way for this to be fair if it keeps the
current effects -and- adds stats. Solution 3 is massively over-powered (the
highest artifact rune is +15%!). At absolute most it should be a +10% bonus,
but even that is pretty strong when considering that it would stack with the
artifact. Solution 2 seems more plausible. Instead of plague affs you could
have it increase precision (or wounding %) the higher the dark mark levels go up
to a reasonable cap.
---[Shuyin on 1/16 @ 01:02 writes]:
Solution 2, solution 3 is overpowered and there's no need for solution 1, given
report 722. Deathmark is a powerful affliction as it is.
---[Ixion on 1/16 @ 03:24 writes]:
Please note that this report is about deathweapon specifically, but given its
tie in to deathmark it's reasonable to mention it. @Xenthos- Deathmark does not
modify the weapon, deathweapon does. I am claiming that a low % chance of a
single plague aff is incredibly weak and is the cause of this report (no one
uses DW because the stat reduction outweighs any benefit from the plague affs).
@Shuyin's "Deathmark is a powerful affliction as it is" comment- Deathmark does
a few things for those unfamiliar with the skill. It increases tortute damage
(nihilist only), gives a sense that provides various info about a person,
increases balance regain from 1s to 2s on a crucifixion at full mark, and
supposedly increases rate of contagion afflictions. Deathweapon does as I
described above in the problem section. I'd argue that DM isn't what I would
call a "powerful affliction" even remotely, but that can be done elsewhere more
appropriately.
---[Ixion on 1/16 @ 03:35 writes]:
A bit more of an explanation: I think DW can use a bit of a buff given how I
believe necromancy to be sub-par compared to weapon modifiers of all the other
warrior guilds. Templars get weapons modified by chaosaura (50% rate temp
insanity), paladins get righteousarms (1/6 divinus damage conversion), both
communes get +10 all stats weaponaura, and Sentinels get +20 speed via alacrity.
I agree with Shuyin in thinking solution 2 is the best way to alter the skill.
---[Ushaara on 1/16 @ 18:45 writes]:
Just on that last comment, the +20 speed from alacrity only lasts 80s and so is
somewhat different to the other permanent auras listed. That said, I do agree
that deathweapon could use improving. Of the above solutions, I would support
solutions 1 or 2.
---[Sidd on 1/17 @ 18:26 writes]:
I'm a bit confused about solution 2, is that adding an option to either add 20
precision or give a chance for plague affs? Would it be 20 precision to both 1h
weapons or 10 to each for 20 total? Would it still reduce stats on speed and
damage by 5?
---[Ixion on 1/17 @ 21:21 writes]:
Right, my intent was to have a seperate syntax for the precision addition
instead of its current effects (aka option between the two). Replacing it
entirely, if that's easier, works just as well. The +20 precision was for 1
handers (*2.2 for 2h conversion, +44), and only one weapon can be marked at a
time presently. My logic behind the number 20 was that others' weaponauras yield
+10 allstats for 1 handers (+30 on -each- weapon, not one) and +20/22/10 for 2
handers (+52 total), and that Aeonics just received +20 speed (speed is the same
for 1h and 2h). Given Ushaara's comment a power cost to modify the weapon would
be appropriate as well.
---[Ixion on 1/17 @ 21:30 writes]:
@Sidd's last question: speed/damage would remain unaltered since the specified
reason for the reduction was due to the plague affs.
---[Sidd on 1/17 @ 21:59 writes]:
I ran an idea by Ixion, keeping the initial stat reduction of -8, but having
precision increase as deathmark builds up to a max of 28 (+20 of original
value). This would keep the unique aspect of the scaling deathmark, but he did
not agree, stating that he would rather get rid of the deathmark building
altogether and just have a +20(+44 2h) precision bonus added. I'd be agreeable
to this, though I kind of like the idea of the scaling to deathmark.
---[Ixion on 1/17 @ 22:50 writes]:
I'd still prefer solution 2 as it's much simpler, but after talking with Sidd
here's another idea we discussed: Remove plague affs, keep mark building, leave
damage and speed malus in place as it is currently (preferrably just remove the
malus since no plague affs, but if admins think that's too much then okay), add
10 prec if deathweapon is applied to a weapon and add 1 bonus precision for
every mark level (at max mark, +25 1h/+55 2h precision). This idea would keep
the scaling mark mechanic and flavour in place, allow DW to be useful and still
a benefit outside of 1v1.
---[Llandros on 1/17 @ 23:14 writes]:
One of the more helpful features of deathmark for warriors was that it gave free
assess which is now free for everyone. I'm fine with 1 or 2. Solution 3 might be
much. The Sidd/Ixion idea would be ok too.
---[Wobou on 1/24 @ 16:00 writes]:
I echo pretty much everything Llandros has stated
---[Ixion on 1/26 @ 18:30 writes]:
Thinking about this report more and more, I really think solution 2 is the most
on par with other warrior guilds followed by solution 1. I can't really justify
DW having a malus when the other warrior guilds have what they have (see above)
---[Morbo on 1/26 @ 20:57 writes]:
I utterly love solution 2, it is both elegant and beautiful with the silkiness
of a beautiful stranger
---[Sidd on 1/27 @ 17:09 writes]:
It's pretty obvious that the admin response in 722 means the reason for the
malus on deathweapon is the building of deathmark, not the random plague affs
(otherwise why would they approve giving tempinsanity for no malus?). There
isn't a single other warrior aura that allows you to build an affliction on top
of wounding/damage that takes balance/time to cure. Deathmark is a nice
affliction, which is the reason for the malus.
---[Ixion on 1/28 @ 22:39 writes]:
No problem there, remove the deathmark build. It can be built 3 times faster
with other skills and only of decent benefit 1v1.
---[Sidd on 1/29 @ 14:43 writes]:
I'm fine with that, but you may be able to build it faster with other methods,
but you can build it up in addition to wounds/damaging as it is right now.
---[Xenthos on 1/29 @ 15:53 writes]:
Not sure how there's no problem there. As Sidd said, it is built up in addition
to the damage, wounding, and affliction of each attack requiring an additional
cure on top of the standard.
---[Ixion on 1/31 @ 08:24 writes]:
@Xenthos 'No problem there, remove the deathmark build'