I like that idea about root. That would be a very minor yet nice thing for
us.
I also like the idea of being able to customize spells (a little bit).
Maybe have trade offs like if you want your Shadow step to teleport you more
in a straight line then you would have to use more mana when casting it or
maybe it would have to take a little longer to cast. I really do think that
we should be the master of our spells and at least any spell we research (I
too think it would be fun to have to research all spells past first level -
of course the components would have to be easy to find) we should be able to
customize a bit. That would make us feel a little more like wizards and not
just "battlefield artillery".
Good ideas!
-Solric of the 3rd Circle
-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Morrison [mailto:
ken.morrison@...]
Sent: Friday, May 14, 1999 1:15 PM
To:
eq_wizards@onelist.com
Subject: [eq_wizards] Our spells
Ok, I'll grant you that maybe we shouldn't know when Root is about to end.
How about, as it wears off, the *victim* (he he) starts to move slowly at
first towards us and then faster, faster etc. Then we would be able to
decide whether to run or not... Or, even better, get rid of Root and
O'Keils Radiation and replace with an offensive/holding spell, something say
similar to Bigby's Crushing Hand. Imagine the animation for that one! A
high wailing keening noise as a giant, disembodied, ghostly hand flies from
our fingertips, grows and wraps around our foe, slowing/stopping him in his
tracks and adding a modest amount of crushing damage to boot! <ahhhh...
drool...> Who wouldnt want that spell? AND it fits in with "Best defense
is offense". I would sacrifice Root and O'Keils for that spell or something
like it.
As for Fade and Shadowstep, I cant speak for Shadowstep, but I have been
teleported EVERYWHERE with Fade. Backwards, Forwards, sideways, 1 foot to
really far away! Gee. Thats helpful. Hmmm. I am a Wizard. Physically I
am extremely weak. Blown away by a stiff breeze kinda weak. I approach my
mentor. "Please", I beg him "can you show me how to harness this tremendous
power we have to help me escape an angered creature." "Of course, buy this
spell of Fade and you will be put safely beyond the reach of your foes." He
smiles warmly and kindly at me all the while accepting my hard earned gold.
I run out of the shop so intent on my shiny new spell, that I don't notice
the mocking laughter from behind. < A random distance and direction is sheer
lazy programming. OK lets see, generate 2 random numbers, apply to current
coords. There, thats it for that spell> Traditionally in fantasy
literature, Wizards dont go about popping themselves somewhere they cant
see...thats a good way to end up part of a rock or tree... Hey Verant,
heres any easy fix for you. Make Fade go in the direction we are facing a
minimum distance...make it a quick escape spell. Put the onus on the Wizard
to face himself in his chosen escape routes direction. Things start to go
bad, Fade and run like hell. Done. Wouldnt really need Shadowstep then
would we??? Frees up another spell...hmmm.
I read somewhere a Verant programmer said he only had so much room in a
database for spells...thats kind of sad really...maybe that is why there are
some missing animations and shared animations.
Personally, I would rather have to research and or quest for ALL OF OUR
SPELLS, IF and only IF we could design them the way we wanted... so that
my Fade was different than someone elses... but I know that is a pipe dream
so dont flame me for it okay?
Sorry about the long post, happens when you are a fast typer...