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View Full Version : Aasimar Scourge Divine Form change?



Arsont
10-14-2018, 01:42 AM
Howdy yall,

I'm looking at tring my main to work on Scourge lives, and rolled a test toon to mess around with the enhancements. While using the Divine Form toggle, I noticed how awkward it is to actually be effective in combat. While the long activation/"cast" time isn't a problem for the normal Aasimar tier 4 toggles (Ascendant Fallen/Protector Bonds) due to their static nature, the graduating buff/debuff nature of the Iconic version makes the long "cast" time very annoying, and effectively makes the ability unusable in normal questing.

The bonuses given are fairly strong, but I don't think they're so much stronger than Ascendant Fallen Bond as to warrant the severe debuffs. That being said, while I don't like the debuffs to begin with, I can understand wanting them there for a thematic reason (There ARE still people in the game who appreciate such things). That's another discussion entirely, but one I'm not opposed to having.

Instead, my simple request is that the toggle "cast" time on the Aasimar Scourge Divine Form be reduced. I'd prefer if it were removed entirely, so that the toggle is activated instantly (Similar to many other stance toggles), but I'd be fine if it were simply reduced to the duration of an action boost/standard spell cast (Similar to any class action boost, or in-combat buffs such as Divine Might/Divine Favor). Anything to make it actually usable in combat.

Even if the "cast" time were removed entirely as I would like, the toggle has a built in 3 minute timer, with a maximum uptime of 74 seconds (Assuming perfect execution in disabling the ability). In reaper, the graduating light damage and move speed are very harsh, making that 74 seconds even shorter, depending on incoming damage. With this being the case, I think there's already enough safeguards built in to moderate the ability (Not that I believe such moderation is needed).

Obviously, I'd be most appreciative if someone from the DDO team could implement the changes I suggest. However, I would also appreciate if someone could give me any insight as to why this change has not been implemented, or even point me to a place where a discussion was had regarding the nature of this ability (That is, why it was designed the way it was).

Respectfully waiting any responses.

DrawingGuy
10-14-2018, 08:09 AM
Really, when it comes to activation time, I see it as a question of, should this ability be able to be chained on bosses? It's a 1ap double action boost with no activation limit (beyond SP, and we all know how "limiting" that is) with a minor hit/dmg boost as well. As for the penalties, it does depend on the situation on how impactful they are. The light damage even at 30 is pennies of an end-game total, and a vamp or Monk FOL trigger alone can counter it (at least on rapid attack builds like Tempest), so unless you're HP total is riding 1-shot range, it isn't a big deal. The vuln damage is indeed a big deal for any incoming damage, especially on high reapers, but is only for 14 of the 74 seconds. The movement speed I actually almost see as a good thing. For static tank-and-spanks, it makes no difference; and for active combat it lets you not have to pay attention to the timer as the sudden slowdown lets you know to turn it off. Obviously playing better and not having it would mean a few more seconds, but as a mechanic for a general populace, it helps.

That said, even though the penalties are not a big deal in many cases (beyond the vuln, and even that only matters if you have incoming damage), they're not a non-factor. The is also the relatively long CD of 3 minutes. I do think the move could afford to have a quick activation time for chaining as it would be that shave needed to take it from meme DPS on uber-completionists with 12 racial points already to a real consideration.

Alcides
10-17-2018, 10:54 AM
This ability as a capstone is terrible. They could have just added a little more to the fallen and protector toggles and called it a day. Or they could have added a better buff toggle since it is an iconic class. Bit alas the devs have moved on and this won't get touched for several years or ever as that will not produce immediate and measurable revenue.