Report 746

Report #746
Skillset: Psionics Skill: Shatter
 Org: Serenguard Status: Rejected Jan 2012
Furies' Decision:
We do not agree that this is necessary and reject it.
Problem: At the moment, a psionic shield is rendered nearly pointless with the
current mechanics of psionics' shatter ability. Psionic attacks are only stopped
by the ability INVOKE CIRCLE PSI and EVOKE PENTAGRAM PSI, being able to bypass
prismatic barriers and regular shields otherwise. Psi shatter has been confirmed
to be able to be used off channel balance, costs 0.8-1.2 seconds of equilibrium
and costs absolutely nothing to the user if a psionic shield is not present. As
a result of the last thing mentioned, psionic users rarely need to pay a great
deal of attention to whether or not an opponent has placed up a psi shield, and
instead throw in "psi shatter <target>" as a "just in case" with no repercussion
at all. This means a psionic user who does not pay attention to shields being
raised will never have to accidentally hit a shield anyway. This report aims to
make some changes to psi shatter in order for the psi-shield to have, at least,
some minimal utility.
Solution #1: Increase the equilibrium loss to 2.5 seconds minimum.
Solution #2: In addition to solution 1, allow psi shatter to consume
 equilibrium whether or not a shield is present, in order to keep
 it inline with its non-psionic analogues such as raze, void,
 nullify and sulphur.
Solution #3:
Player Comments:
---[Enyalida on 12/24 @ 19:25 writes]:
For all of the 'autocombat' digs that were pointed at druids back in the day, TK
is still the most prevalent autocombat enabled skillset in the game. Smash one
alias (or have your system do so), with a stock of more or less randomly applied
illusions, and a little code to use bodyscan and heartburst when appropriate.
The math on bursts versus curing rates means that you are one of the only
classes guaranteed to win eventually. This shatter thing makes it easier, just
stick it on the front of your alias and you're good to go! Solution 2 has my
support.
---[Ushaara on 1/6 @ 16:49 writes]:
Certainly agree that it should consume equilibrium, even if no shield is
present, so I'd support soln #2. I think the duration of its equilibrium loss
though is perhaps a bit more debateable.
---[Rivius on 1/7 @ 05:43 writes]:
I merely set it as 2.5 seconds because that appears to be roughly the
equilibrium time to void/nullify a regular shield. I welcome any suggestions for
its duration.
---[Shuyin on 1/11 @ 20:18 writes]:
Both solution 1 and 2 is my vote
---[Xenthos on 1/15 @ 23:25 writes]:
I fully agree with implementing both of these, being able to just have it in the
alias with no loss or penalty, especially with the low cost for use, makes the
Psi shield absolutely worthless (when it should be something that can protect
you if you are spending all your time going full-defense like that-- and keep in
mind, that doesn't even help you against non-psi attacks so they could be
staffing or etc).
---[Sidd on 1/19 @ 20:40 writes]:
Very much needed, solutions 1 and 2 are good
---[Janalon on 1/24 @ 11:38 writes]:
Solution 1 and 2 are fine with me.
---[Wobou on 1/24 @ 15:32 writes]:
I personally think both solutions should be implemented. Spamming a psishield
should be about as effective against psionic attacks as spamming shield is for
regular attacks. Although I'm not sure if void is 2.5s, whatever it is it should
be equivalent.
---[Neos on 1/26 @ 22:47 writes]:
I'm okay with sol 2.