Report 303

Report #303
Skillset: Starhymn Skill: None
 Org: Cantors Status: Completed Jan 2010
Furies' Decision:
Solution 1
Problem: Starhymn is generally considered the weakest bardic spec. There are two
reasons for this. One, Starhymn lacks offensive kick after its damage skills
were downgraded. Two, while Starhymn is defensively capable (although not as
capable as Aeromancy), its effects are spread thin compared to other guilds'
defensive songs (compare Processional and StarLight to UndeadBlues and
NecroBallad, for example). The thinly spread effects also exacerbate the fact
that Starhymn has the fewest songs of all bard specs. An effective solution
would both consolidate defensive skills and create new synergistic offensive
options.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #1: Add StarLight's effect to Processional. Change
 StarLight to give, at random, sensitivity, sun
 allergy, or vomiting (or some other offensive skill
 thematic to light).
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #2: Add Processional's effect to StarLight. Change
 Processional to give, at random, paralysis, locked
 throat, or impatience (or some other offensive skill
 thematic to fear/anticipation).
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #3: Add MercifulSanctus to LoveCanticle's effect. Change
 MercifulSanctus to a defense for the bard and her
 allies that provides a 50% chance for any mental
 affliction given to the bard/ally to also be given to
 the attacker (or some other offensive skill thematic
 to justice).
Player Comments:
---[Xenthos on 1/20 @ 23:05 writes]:
I'm not a fan of combining LoveCanticle / MercifulSanctus (#3).
---[Romero on 1/27 @ 13:15 writes]:
Solution 2 seems far overpowered. You want two focus body cures and an
impatience afflict all in one go? no, no, and no. Cantor needs some buffs but
lets not forget the OP of near constant blackout spam from Cantors which has
great group synergy. I can imagine Solution 1 -maybe- working
---[Vusilk on 1/28 @ 00:49 writes]:
No, not "all in one go". One at random, as written in the solution. Also,
Cantors have only one blackout skill, which is targeted and costs three power;
I'm not sure that constitutes group blackout spam.
---[Jael on 1/28 @ 01:42 writes]:
Romero, I think you misunderstood the suggestion. He's asking for a song that
gives 1 affliction from a set of 3 every 10 seconds. Solution #2 would therefore
give at random: paralysis, locked throat, OR impatience every 10 seconds.
Likewise, PrincessFarewell (the blackout you describe) costs 3p per blast - as
stated above!
---[Jael on 1/28 @ 01:42 writes]:
The above being said, I don't necessarily like any of these solutions because I
do not feel they will address Starhymn as a whole. Crowding more passive
afflictions into the weakest bard specialization will certainly make it more
annoying in group combat, but it will not address the lack of synergy the
skillset has as a whole. I think this should be tabled in favor of a true
administration overhaul of Starhymn. Starhymn provides no real means in
assisting a Cantor in killing an opponent. A lot of minor afflictions just will
never cut it against someone who can cure.
---[Jael on 1/28 @ 01:44 writes]:
She, not he.
---[Vusilk on 1/28 @ 02:02 writes]:
While a special look at Starhymn is certainly something some Cantors are looking
for, that might very well be impossible, especially given the issues that are
likely to arise from the new guild additions. Instead, we are hoping to address
Starhymn's (many) issues piecewise, which should be possible if we are careful.
However, that said, I didn't feel it was appropriate to put a substantial
offensive ability at the low stanza level; we are working on a suggestion for a
kill condition for next month's report, pending the results of this month's
report.