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View Full Version : Fixing transparency gaps (e.g. all SLAs should have complete descriptions)



Oliphant
10-17-2016, 12:38 PM
It occurs to me that the gaps in game regarding transparency affect me more than bugs. Bugs rarely stop me from having fun or occur to me as the reason I'm not achieving a goal. But every time I experiment with a build/life, I find myself wondering exactly how things work due to one or several important build features lacking thorough descriptions of mechanics. Perhaps a few missing links here and there helped create some mystery in the early game, in the sense of immersion and drama; but, now the game is mature and quite complex - there are plenty of mysteries for new players to figure out without hiding the ball.

When transparency is improved, bugs are easier to identify and analyze. Missing descriptions about game features are easy to fix and there's a finite list you could grind through if you wanted to. Fixing bugs is hard and open ended.

The example that comes to mind is the SLA that does not explicitly describe how a DC is calculated. Often these are SLA versions of existing spells. The spellbook versions always (or almost always) describe exactly how the DC is calculated and you can see the current DC amount if you scroll over the spell in a hotbar. The SLA version is often silent on the formula for calculating the DC and you cannot scroll over the SLA version and see the current DC amount.

I noticed in the U33 preview that some SLA descriptions have been fixed and was encouraged. It reminded me to post this. I hope for a description update pass for all feats, named loot, and enhancements one day...

Oliphant
10-17-2016, 12:42 PM
Sometimes the issue is not transparency per se, the description and the mechanic just don't match (error/bug). For example, a deep gnome ability was supposed to affect illusion DC but it affected enchantment DC instead. The deep gnome SLAs do not reveal the current DC when you scroll over them on hotbar so they did not help with figuring this out. If you looked at the spell versions you could see the DCs and with a little trial and error you can figure out it was boosting the wrong school.

JOTMON
10-17-2016, 01:04 PM
not just SLA's many descriptions of many things in the game are outdated, unclear, or just plain wrong.. a description pass is long past due.

Coyopa
10-17-2016, 01:43 PM
Sorry, that's all going to have to wait for the next summer intern. :D