28 replies to this topic

[Deval]

This idea was spawned off a comment attempting to insult another persons idea, oh the irony.


--
Spell: Otherling (A dumbed down version could be called decoy or duplicate.)

"You manipulate your life essence to summon an otherling"

"Allimac appears to tear in two, summoning an otherling."

Once off mana cost per casting: 50

Effect: The spell is designed as a diversionary tool for combat. Once cast, the spell creates a duplicate of the mage in the list of characters on the grid, directly above or below the spellcaster, the side it spawns is completly random (50/50 on either side). The duplicate serves no other purpose other than to sit and take damage from others on the grid who mistakenly attack it. The duplicate cannot be distinguished from the mage that cast the spell, and has a hp equal to the full hp of the casting mage.

The duplicate has an armor rating equal to that of the equipment on the mage who cast it (Meaning this excludes armor enhancing spells that are in effect on the caster) The duplicate has the same statistics as the casting mage, and damage & chance to hit is calculated against those stats like any other opponent..

This spell lasts as long as the Otherling has hp, or the casting mages hp expires (I.E is killed).
---


I have most likely missed something or made an oversight in the attempt to spill the idea out of my head unburdened, if clarification is needed, say so, and I will do my best to resolve the issue.

Edited by Deval, 15 March 2004 - 03:37 AM.

[Squee]

Would this otherling follow the mage around?

[Deval]

Yes

[Squee]

I have over 300 mana. Can I cast this spell 5 times in a row just because I like to annoy people?

[Deval]

You may only have one otherling present per mage at any given time.

[Squee]

If a player (of a lower level of said mage) attacks a mage's otherling, will they gain experience as if it were a true player?

[Deval]

As far as I knew, you didn't get experience for attacking other players? Unless there has been a major change I missed... If so, no.

[Silverwizard]

Deval I like the idea, it would add some fun protection for mages. Very good, would save the mage from the pks it inevitably gets.

[ice_cold]

If a player (of a lower level of said mage) attacks a mage's otherling, will they gain experience as if it were a true player?

ANYWAYS I think everything is great, but I don't like the fact that it moves around with you...

[alone]

I'm unsure on this idea.. I mean, it's good.. But.. As mages are, it'll make only a slight difference. So, there's a 50/50 chance you'll get to watch your Otherling get rounded, right before you are? Most PK parties consist of enough characters to at least drop three other characters (sometimes more).. Unless the mage user had stamina and had lightning reactions, I don't see this making a huge difference..

What was the purpose you had in mind for the idea, Deval?

Edited by alone, 15 March 2004 - 12:59 PM.

[Malavon]

The idea is good, but I think the names a little... odd.

[Squee]

Well, last time I checked, if you attack a true player that's of a higher level than you are, you gain EXP. This could have changed, though, so don't hold me to it.

If memory serves me right, it was 10 exp POD.

[alone]

I can remember it being suggested.. But never being implemented?

I didn't think you took drugs, Squee?

[Squee]

I used to have this EXP list (I think it's still on the Broken website).

I still remember some stuff on there. I think you get 10 exp. POD, as well as 10 exp POD when attack a player a higher level than you.

[World]

This could be abused by someone casting it and goes invis

[newb]

Nifty idea, but too many problems.

Plus it wouldn't be good unless there as a 1-alt kind of thing going on.

edit: ::curses school keyboards::

Edited by newb, 15 March 2004 - 06:00 PM.

[Squee]

This could be abused by someone casting it and goes invis

Abused how?

A mage casts this, goes invisible. A party of thieves try to assassinate it, the real mage pops out and kills them all.

I don't see any real problem with this. It would keep players on their toes.

[Wolfgang]

Plus it wouldn't be good unless there as a 1-alt kind of thing going on.

I dont see how.

[Deval]

I honestly do not believe that the current abuse of alts is any reflection on the spell. It gives the mages the ability to inadvertently soak a few hits from an already dwindling hp, not forgetting the fact that the Otherling has the chance to dodge attacks. Also, saying that it will die quickly due to the size of the parties is a null point. That is a problem with the game, not with the spell, and regardless of the size of an opponent party, still gives the mage the chance to get away with his exp, if nothing else.

As for saying it would be abused with Invisibility, rubbish. The otherling itself does nothing but stand there and dodge/soak damage, it just means people will have to be a little wiser before jumping what they think is an otherwise defenceless mage. Comparing this argument RE abuse against the pacifist ability Greater Pact, I feel the argument is somewhat voided.

[alone]

Ok Deval. You sold it to me
I like the idea, I'm for it..!

[Flux]

Aidon and I were discussing the implementation of a few different accompaniment spells that would balance out mages to a level that is satisfactory. This is a great idea.

If this was the only change made to mages, I would say I like it as it is.

However, incorporated with a few other things, I would knock it down to 1/3 the casters HP and not allow it to follow.

[Squee]

It was already stated that the Otherlings can't follow.

As for the 1/3 HP...I don't think that would work. An Archmaster mage has around 200 HP. 1/3 of 200 is about 66.

An Archmaster fighter can dish out 66+ damage in one hit even without spells.

[Deval]

Aaaaaaaaactually, it was said that Otherlings would actually follow the mage, but it would appear to be somewhat frowned upon, so that being said, scrap the whole following thing.

Otherlings 'do not' follow the mage.

[Silverwizard]

I do not agree with the 1/3 hp, unless you do like a mirror image spell where you get like 8 copies of you all with 1 hp, that would be fun, especially against thieves or rangers who waste all their stam trying to hit someone with 1 hp. I think mages have no damage as is, how about 1/3 the damage of your average arch zerker, meaning average mage HP.

[Deval]

I also am in opposition to the 1/3 hp, considering that spell armor bonuses do not effect the Otherling.

[alone]

1/3rd? My word.. I mean.. Sure, if it was a Beserker!!
Concidering it doesn't fight back, only has a small amount of armor and can't follow (anymore).. I would have thought full HP was a must have.

And, Havanor, why're are you and Aidon working on this, isn't it Pandilex's job.. The classes.. Not complaining, it's just something he said he's working on, even JLH has said several time it's Pandilex's job.

Edited by alone, 16 March 2004 - 11:19 AM.

[Flux]

I said Aidon and I were discussing what should be done with mages, nothing more.

Also, I had stated that "if this was the only change to mages" full hp would be tidy.

But if we're talking about adding to mages AC and giving them more innate spells/skills and whatnot, than yes, I do think a full HP clone on top of it would be a tad much. Perhaps a forumla such as: HP*[(int*3.0)/100], which comes out to 60% base HP with 20 INT.

[Squee]

When you put it that way, how can I argue? ^__^

[Wolfgang]

I would like to see this implimented in game.