Report 27

Report #27
Skillset: Druidry Skill: Thornrend
 Org: Blacktalon Status: Rejected Aug 2008
Furies' Decision:
The report is too complex and crams too many suggestions into one.
Problem: The potential for Thornrend to be another killing skill for druids is
there, but currently, it is difficult to pull off against anyone but those who
are ignorant of what thornlashes are. This is a skill that acts outside of sap,
making it attractive for those who want or need to kill a person outside of the
treetops. However, unlike sap, there are few ways for a druid to "stick" lashes.
Because most people know to writhe free or use the ignite enchantment, this
skill is not as viable as we would like, especially when in many situations we
can simply use sap.
Solution #1: The following small changes would ideally be implemented
 together, in order to help stick lashes and allow a possible
 rend. (1) Have a small bleed added when first lashing a limb,
 about 25, as there is no initial bleed associated with the
 ability. (2) Have normal writhe command cure nature vines before
 thornlashes, forcing them to choose between writhe and writhe
 lash. (3) Raise lashed legs chances of slowing movement, from the
 current 25% one lashed leg, 50% two lashed legs (from tests
 provided, these appear to be the figures) to 40% one leg, 80% two
 legs.
Player Comments:
---[Nessa on 8/20 @ 11:38 writes]:
While we agree that Thornrend is an instant kill skill which is almost
impossible to pull off on an experienced combatant, we do not agree with the
suggested solution. A few factors to take note, thornlash/rend can only be done
in forest, any movement out of a forest cures any lashed limbs, all lashed limbs
can be cured instantly by igniting oneself (This would negate the effect of
lengthening writhe time completely). For a skill which does not do any damage or
bleed,and does not prevent movement like other writhe-cured afflictions, the
effects of lashed legs and arms are the only thing going for it.
---[Nessa on 8/20 @ 11:38 writes]:
We have put together a set of tweaks which we feel will help make thornlash have
more effect and stick better to lead up to a possible thornrend. (1) Have a
small bleed added when first lashing a limb, about 25. (2) Have normal writhe
command cure vines before thornlashes, forcing them to choose between writhe and
writhe lash to prioritise. (3) Raise lashed legs chances of slowing movement.
From the current 25% one lashed leg, 50% two lashed legs(from tests, this
appears to be the figures) to 40% one leg, 80% two legs. (4) As armbalance is
only used by monks and onehander warriors, we suggest to change the effect to
include any skills which require the use of arms (basically any skills which a
broken/mangled arm would stop). Have the increase in balance for such skills be
increased accordingly.
---[Nyir on 8/29 @ 00:02 writes]:
I have changed my first solution, as I like the ideas listed in the above
comment much more than the initial proposal and feel they better address the
problem. I have however removed the arm balance suggested tweak because, with
the leg balance, an arm balance that affects everyone instead of the current
individuals might be too much at this point.