Report 380

Report #380
Skillset: Nekotai Skill: Sprongcree
 Org: Nekotai Status: Completed May 2010
Furies' Decision:
The balance time has been halved.
Problem: Sprongcree as currently implemented is difficult to use in any
situation save one on one. PLACE (POISON) LEFT|RIGHT causes around a four second
equilibrium loss, which makes it difficult to use effectively in combat, a
problem compounded by the fact that darts are single use items, and must be
reapplied if a form with the Dart modifier is to have full effect. This is
particularly hurtful when considering that a dart is a requirement for
FinalSting, meaning that in group combat a Nekotai will only have one or two
chances to attempt an already questionable instakill. As a final annoyance, the
act of placing a dart on one's foot is counted as a hostile action for no
logical reason. One or more of the following solutions are proposed.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #1: Give each placed dart a number of charges before they
 go away. 5 seems like a good amount.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #2: Reduce the equilibrium time on PLACE (POISON)
 LEFT|RIGHT to 2 seconds or less, allowing for dart
 placement without fear of momentum loss.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #3: Make PLACE (POISON) LEFT|RIGHT a non-hostile action.
Player Comments:
---[Viynain on 5/13 @ 01:34 writes]:
I'd go for solution one, but instead of making it 5, just make it the standard
number of applications of poison a weapon can have when envenomed. Since the
kick itself would still consume ka, making the prepwork for it more of a hassle
just makes the ability a pain to use. Could also add in an envenom/wipe syntax
for the dart too, in case people want to change venoms.
---[Placeus on 5/14 @ 01:43 writes]:
I would prefer solution 2 to solution 1. A third chance to apply a poison is
quite powerful particularly when applied with a kick that bypasses parry and
rebounding. If the current equilibrium cost is too steep, I would suggest
reducing it rather than allowing the dart to be envenomed multiple times.
---[Fillin on 5/18 @ 07:13 writes]:
My feelings are basically the same as Placeus's. Solution 2 or 3.
---[Thul on 5/19 @ 07:31 writes]:
In case it's not clear, item 3 is a little quality of life thing I'd like to see
done, and not a full solution to the problem. Max poisons on a weapon is 25, I
think... might be a little much, even considering the ka cost of the modifier.
Longer comment to follow, as Lerad has offered a solution which I found quite
interesting but am unable to currently put into slot 3.
---[Thul on 5/19 @ 07:32 writes]:
Option 4: Noting that sprongcree's two-action setup is too much of a pain,
condense sprongcree to one kick, a la spronghai. Syntax would be KA SPRONGCREE
(target) (poison) (left|right) and the kick would consume a dart and a dose of
poison as necessary. Ka cost would be 225 (same as KA KICK with DART modifier at
present.) This would maintain the idea behind the skill, while allowing for
easier use. It would come at the expense of the ability to add poisons to the
other Nekotai kicks (Spronghai and Sprongma, and Sprongk if it were worth using)
and necessitate a similar reworking of FinalSting.
---[Placeus on 5/20 @ 00:52 writes]:
I think solution 4 would be as bad as solution 1. With easy access to an
envenoming kick, what is to stop the nekotai from envenoming with mantakaya
every time, kicking first in a form and never having to worry about parry,
stance and doing +50% damage on every form? There are also problems that would
arise from easier venom locks, easier prones with double morphite etc. I don't
think making a 3rd venom on a kick easy to do is a good idea.
---[Fillin on 5/21 @ 04:08 writes]:
Not to mention, doesn't the Nekotai modifier that greatly reduces shrugging also
apply to the dart kicks?
---[Raeri on 5/21 @ 09:00 writes]:
Darts seem to me to be intended as a burst offense option. I don't think giving
Nekotai (who already have access to an extra poison application via Spit)
another sustained poison app available every kata (raising them up to a
sustainable 4 applications per kata: nekai/nekai/spit/dart) is needed. Solution
2 or 3, if needed.
---[Thul on 5/23 @ 17:33 writes]:
I don't think poisons are as good as you think they are. 3-4 poisons per form
(ScorpionSpit only refreshes about once every other attack, assuming one is
willing to sacrifice the rather nice passive defense gained from not spitting at
every available opportunity,) aren't going to cause a lock on their own. At the
very minimum, sustainable tri-poison forms would require 375 ka, which is
momentum 3, and comes without speed or any other afflictions to speak of. After
that, you're entering the point where you should start fearing for your life
around a monk anyway.