Weekly Dev Activities 04/14/08

[Laith]

WHat exactly is the difference between being "Stealth" and not being aggrod?

1. going into stealth costs you time. not much, but enough to interrupt your attack sequence.
2. stealth swings are always at your lowest attack bonus. not sure if it allows TWF if you have gTWF.

most importantly:

3. stealth makes you slow. 50% move speed w/o enhancements. hard to keep up with a target that is apparently not aggroed on you.
4. stealth is interrupted when you take damage. ie: to do the death attack you must have NO aggro, or a really good defense. Increases the benefit of Improved Feint and Bluff (or diplomacy, or Subtle Backstabbing, etc) for a WotA II build.

[Laith]

Maybe, but with extensive experience of Imp Fient, any non-melee monster that gets Bluffed immediately turns tail and flees away from you. Sometimes even the melee monsters move around irregularly after a bluff.

guess i haven't used it since that new AI got implemented.

used to be that they had as good a chance to stand dumbly (aggroed on no one) as to run away.
course, i was planning on getting it again, so i'll see shortly.

[Shyver]

Wel, Looks like WotA has been Successfuly Nerfed already. At least we get a Passive +2 to Critical Hits which still makes it a decent enhancemnet. I think Increasing it to 15 second and relying on a Sneak attack still would of been fine.. Haveing to be in Stealth is stupid. WHat exactly is the difference between being "Stealth" and not being aggrod? If the mob is Focused on SOmeone else, he has no idea that I'm about to throw a death attack at him.... Instead of being "Stealthed" It would make more sense to change it to "Must be Flanking" the mob. if you realy need to add more requirements than just sneak attack.

I like the upgrades to the Paly lines.

WotM II is a Joke though...... We waited an extra 2 weeks to see that?????

Not happy with the "have to be in stealth" pre-release nerf. I too would be fine with the 15 seconds and no aggro, but the stealth part is kind of annoying. At least change it to either "in stealth mode" or "your target is blinded".

[Angelus_dead]

[*]UPDATED Rogue Way of the Assassin II:

• Cost: 2 Action Points
• Prereqs: Rogue Level 12, Rogue Way of the Assassin I, Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy III, Rogue Sneak Attack Training III, 42 Action Points Spent
• Benefit: Grants an additional +2 bonus to damage on critical hits (before multipliers), +2 bonus to Bluff, Hide, and Move Silently skills and a +1 bonus to Fortitude saves against poison. Also grants the ability to make devastating melee attacks that can kill a living target instantly on a successful sneak attack made from stealth if the target fails a Fortitude save, DC 10 + Rogue Level + Int Modifier. (15 second cool-down, can only be performed while stealth and when sneak attacking.)

[*]UPDATED Rogue Way of the Mechanic II:

• Cost: 2 Action Points
• Prereqs: Rogue Level 12, Rogue Way of the Mechanic I, Rogue Disable Device III, Rogue Improved Trap Sense II, Rogue Open Lock III, 42 Action Points Spent
• Benefit: Grants an additional +2 bonus to Disable Device, Open Lock, Repair, Search, and Spot skills. Also grants an additional +4 to saves against traps and 2 points of additional resistance against all elements.

[*]Rogue Way of the Thief Acrobat II:

• Cost: 2 Action Points
• Prereqs: Rogue Level 12, Rogue Way of the Thief Acrobat I, Rogue Dexterity III, 42 Action Points Spent
• Benefit: Grants an additional +2 bonus to Balance, Jump, and Tumble skills, increases your movement rate by 10%, and 2 extra uses per rest of Uncanny Dodge. Also grants a greater increase to attack speed with staves and complete immunity to knockdown effects and slippery surfaces.

Interesting to see the lower level of power here. The first thing that jumps out is that Mechanic2 is quite a weak effect, so naturally the other step 2 rogue specialties shouldn't be highly strong.

Of course the stealth-mode requirement is the obvious nerf to Assassin2, but what hasn't been mentioned yet is the removal of the sneak attack bonus. The previous version of Assassin2 gave +4 damage on sneak attacks, which was very powerful. The new one gives just +2 damage on criticals, which is better in those situations where you have aggro (not too common for a rogue, though). With a keen rapier that comes to about +1 damage per hit, compared to +4 damage from the other effect. (And many rogues use shortswords instead, so it will only give about +0.8 per hit).

Acrobat2 is the cheapest one (because it has no side requirement that a generic rogue won't be expected to have already), but also possibly the most powerful, because knockdown immunity can be a big deal. However, it's also a rarely needed defense, because you can go a long time without seeing a monster who makes a knockdown attempt. (It'll be cool to see rogues solo Stormreaver though). So I guess it looks decently balanced now, although maybe the other specialties could stand to have a prereq trimmed off them.

[dragnmoon]

4. stealth is interrupted when you take damage. ie: to do the death attack you must have NO aggro, or a really good defense. Increases the benefit of Improved Feint and Bluff (or diplomacy) for a WotA II build.

This one is not a problem..

If you have aggro.. You are not going to use this ability anyway..since it requires a Sneak attack so being in stealth or not stealth..it still would have not worked....and A good Rogue knows how to get rid of Aggro..

[Angelus_dead]

14. stealth is interrupted when you take damage. ie: to do the death attack you must have NO aggro, or a really good defense. Increases the benefit of Improved Feint and Bluff (or diplomacy, or Subtle Backstabbing, etc) for a WotA II build.

Being attacked takes you out of stealth even if it doesn't damage you.

[Angelus_dead]

This one is not a problem..

If you have aggro.. You are not going to use this ability anyway..since it requires a Sneak attack so being in stealth or not stealth..it still would have not worked....and A good Rogue knows how to get rid of Aggro..

No. You can sneak attack a monster even if some other monster has aggro on you. But you can't stay in stealth for long if anything nearby is trying to attack you.

[Laith]

thanks Angelus.

hmm... traps dont take you out of stealth unless they do damage. i figured monsters followed the same rule. been awhile though i guess. could be wrong entirely i suppose.

[Angelus_dead]

2. stealth swings are always at your lowest attack bonus. not sure if it allows TWF if you have gTWF.

Stealth mode does not allow TWF regardless of your feats, which is a bug. The character is obviously doing an attack animation with both hands, so both hands should get an attack roll.

[Beherit_Baphomar]

NEW [/COLOR]A bug which prevented the player from purchasing items at a barkeep (and other vendors who do not repair) has been fixed.

PRAISE BE!!!!

And PRAISE BE!!! That the bar tenders can repair!!!!!!!!!!11

[dragnmoon]

No. You can sneak attack a monster even if some other monster has aggro on you. But you can't stay in stealth for long if anything nearby is trying to attack you.

Should have been more specific...

I meant you can't sneak attack the Monster that has aggro on you...

And If something is trying to attack me... Personally I am worrying about other things, other then getting a sneak attack off..Like using Diplo.. Either way..I still would not have used death attack in that situation..

[thatguy]

Mod 7 is looking better all the time. Too bad there is no level increase though.

[Impaqt]

I have been praying for an end to the Shield Wall tactic.. c'mon, buddy.. you're mad at the caster, and I'm in the way. Hit me, punk! HIT ME!

Now iof mobs would just run out of Walls of Fire and cloudkills when they can't hit the caster.. mm.. cooking with oil!

-sigh- I am all for this as well. The Giant Construct in STK isnt realy that difficult.... People ars SO used to the Sheild block and have the caster MM him thactic its pathetic...

On my Assassin build I solo'd STK the other day. Got to the boss... and Go him down to about 20% by myself. (yes, it was Normal.. But hey, I'm Level 4). I then opened up a LFM for folks, Just so I could share the last chest.. Hey, I had to recharge and go back in anyway.

GOt 2 barbs and a Ranger that joined...

Told em everything was cleared, the Boss was down to about 20%, and that I was waiting at the end for em....

One barb says " How we gona do this without a Caster?"

I just Solo'd him down to 20% and he worried?

So I buff Up, Jump down (WHile the barbs and ranger are still up top) and finish him off before they even get down the chute... Then go to work on the Eles.

Quest COmpletion....

He can be DPS'd just fine...... Adamantine breaks his DR. He doesnt have that many hit points.

[dragnmoon]

Mod 7 is looking better all the time. Too bad there is no level increase though.

I am just hoping they actually support the level increase we got in Mod 6...since they didn't in Mod 6...

My Anger will know no bounds if they don't.. I will be even more angrier then I was when they Nerfed HV

[dameron]

[U][B][COLOR=LemonChiffon] [*]UPDATED Rogue Way of the Assassin II:

• Cost: 2 Action Points
• Prereqs: Rogue Level 12, Rogue Way of the Assassin I, Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy III, Rogue Sneak Attack Training III, 42 Action Points Spent
• Benefit: Grants an additional +2 bonus to damage on critical hits (before multipliers), +2 bonus to Bluff, Hide, and Move Silently skills and a +1 bonus to Fortitude saves against poison. Also grants the ability to make devastating melee attacks that can kill a living target instantly on a successful sneak attack made from stealth if the target fails a Fortitude save, DC 10 + Rogue Level + Int Modifier. (15 second cool-down, can only be performed while stealth and when sneak attacking.)

Wow, you guys really gutted that enhancement.


Scenario 1:

"Hold on, I'm going to spend 20 seconds sneaking up on that mob and then I'm going to deliv...."

FoD! Next!

Scenario 2:

My first attempt failed but at least I got away thanks to my trusty "Dimension Door" scroll. Now to sneak back and finish the job... BZZZRRT!! Negative.

My first attempt failed but at least I got away thanks to my wizard friend blinding the mob. Now to sneak back and finish the job... BZZZRRT!! Negative.

My first attempt failed but at least I got away thanks to my wizard friend Holding the mob. Now to sneak back and finish the job... BZZZRRT!! Negative.

My first attempt failed but at least I got away thanks to my wizard friend turning the mob to stone. Now to sneak back and finish the job... BZZZRRT!! Negative.

It's a total waste of AP now.

[Impaqt]

I am just hoping they actually support the level increase we got in Mod 6...since they didn't in Mod 6...

My Anger will know no bounds if they don't.. I will be even more angrier then I was when they Nerfed HV

Now sure what that means.... Did we not get enough new content to Recap our Characters? Do we not have access to some incredibly powerful Items and Weaponry? are Elite quests not a Challenge to the average player??

[Impaqt]

Wow, you guys really gutted that enhancement.


Scenario 1:

"Hold on, I'm going to spend 20 seconds sneaking up on that mob and then I'm going to deliv...."

FoD! Next!

Scenario 2:

My first attempt failed but at least I got away thanks to my trusty "Dimension Door" scroll. Now to sneak back and finish the job... BZZZRRT!! Negative.

My first attempt failed but at least I got away thanks to my wizard friend blinding the mob. Now to sneak back and finish the job... BZZZRRT!! Negative.

My first attempt failed but at least I got away thanks to my wizard friend Holding the mob. Now to sneak back and finish the job... BZZZRRT!! Negative.

My first attempt failed but at least I got away thanks to my wizard friend turning the mob to stone. Now to sneak back and finish the job... BZZZRRT!! Negative.

It's a total waste of AP now.

Why wouldnt you just DPS em to death if they are Blinded, Held or stoned?

[rimble]

Quest COmpletion....

He can be DPS'd just fine...... Adamantine breaks his DR. He doesnt have that many hit points.

Yeah, would be nice to have a res shrine appear after his (and the elementals) death. Just saves wasted time running back and wasted time for people standing there holding the instance open for the people running back.

[LordFancyPants]

Devs,

Will we be able stack Paladin Sacrafice and Exalted Smite? Cuz if we can wow....think about using a khopesh with improved crit slasing with them stacking your threat range would be 15-20, and +6 crit multiplier + 9d6 holy damage...just wow. I hope they stack. Please let them stack!

I misread the question... I have no clue.... sorry.... San Dimas high school football rules!

[dragnmoon]

Now sure what that means.... Did we not get enough new content to Recap our Characters? Do we not have access to some incredibly powerful Items and Weaponry? are Elite quests not a Challenge to the average player??

Did we only get 17 new spells?*we got 46 and 48 the last 2 mods with level increase*.. And 5 new level approbate quests and only 1 explorer area..*always get just 1 raid*?..did we get only a couple of new enhancements?.. Did we see any New useful feats that a Fighter can use since they are all about Feats?... I can go on...