9 replies to this topic

[sinisterpink]

The class mechanic of Necromancers was adjusted to include different class skills?

I mean as it stands right now, DS is pretty much used kinda like a health pot that is a little customization through traits. It helps fulfill a Necro's role as a durable caster. But what about DoTs/Conditions? What about Pets? Dont they make up a Necromancer's class identity too? What would you guys think of this idea:

A Necromancer's Life Force is used to power 1 of 3 class skills.

• Death Shroud: As is. Gives players a survivability option.
  
• Plague Siphon: Draws conditions from nearby foes. Casting a second time expends all Life Force and transfers conditions to the target. Stacks/duration of conditions are dependent on the % of Life Force spent. (with this, Plague Signet can be removed and is obsolete, but it gives all Necromancer builds situational condition utility).
  
• Call of Shadows: Spend all Life Force to summon 2 minions to fight for you. The type of minion and their health is dependent on the % of Life Force spent.

Now before you cry OP, of course damage/duration numbers can be scaled wayyyy back (or forward) so they are all fairly balanced with each other and competitively in PVP. What I'm more interested in is building more class identity in the Necro's core mechanics - and not necessarily forcing players to spec specifically into conditions or pets just to feel like they are playing a Necro.

Thoughts? Is it worthwhile suggesting once the official forums go live again?

[infusco]

Definitely overpowered.

First off, your descriptions advise expending all life force to cause X effect. But it doesn't take much to build up a little bit of lifeforce. So you'd need some effect who's strength is based around *how much* lifeforce you have (EDIT: Nevermind, you actually covered that). Secondly, you'd need a *serious* cooldown on your number 2 ability because even the ability to transfer one or two conditions is pretty potent. Certainly longer than it's current 10 (or 5) second cooldown.

And that's on top of the existing Death Shroud which can still be toggled to use 3 or 4 pretty potent abilities in their own right. The devs would have to completely rework LF and DS from scratch to rebalance it. So even if it happens, it won't happen anytime soon

Edited by infusco, 16 August 2012 - 06:56 PM.

[Draecor]

I had the same idea, maybe giving DS different options. Like 2 more cooldowns, one for damage and one for minions.

[bargaw]

I would prefer skill like this:
Channel, costs 15% lifeforce per second
Summons minion per second
(bonus: if lifeforce is depleted, spell drains health instead)

[aga]

I would definately like some skill which uses up life force, but I'd also like to see a peguin eat a tiger.

[sinisterpink]

aga, on 17 August 2012 - 08:19 PM, said:

I would definately like some skill which uses up life force, but I'd also like to see a peguin eat a tiger.

lawl

[Zkarlet]

No one would use DS as it was intended (by anet) with theese suggestions.

[Diathon]

I personally don't like the way DS works now. It doesn't fit with my style of play and I'd love to see number 2 or 3, though taking debuffs from enemies doesn't make much sense in my opinion even if you can choose who to give them to. It'd be much better (and perhaps OP if Plague Signet wasn't removed) if it took them from allies.

[infusco]

Mind you, it would nice to have a fifth DS skill that summons a jagged horror or two, cooldown of 45-60 seconds. To give MM necros a boon. Something with a good cast time so as to drain some LF while he's casting it.

[Yuuki]

a fifth skill would be nice for sure.
besides of minions this could be a well or explode corpse

adding new forms to DS and changing hole play style would make me fuss.

just my 2 cents