Air Elementals

[Shade]

Any game of any complexity should have a different levels of challenges within it. There are very good arguments to be made about having easier low level content then higher level content after all. There are also excellent arguments to be made about the value of having some end game content that is incredible difficult.

I agree. And the latest changes did exactly that - there DC now scales with there con score.. And there constitution scales with difficulty. I think Mr Cow had some hard data on this too somewhere.

And if he said:

I think your should adjust air elementals knockback DCs to X on normal difficulty, and leave elite as is.. I'd agree.

He didn't.

I'd like to see there knockback ability get a save - very high DC, say +5 compared to the knockdown portion, but also massive up there whirlwind damage to compensate (its currently around 2d6 dmg, even on high lvl elite versions)

[Cyr]

I agree. And the latest changes did exactly that - there DC now scales with there con score.. And there constitution scales with difficulty. I think Mr Cow had some hard data on this too somewhere.

And if he said:

I think your should adjust air elementals knockback DCs to X on normal difficulty, and leave elite as is.. I'd agree.

He didn't.

I'd like to see there knockback ability get a save - very high DC, say +5 compared to the knockdown portion, but also massive up there whirlwind damage to compensate (its currently around 2d6 dmg, even on high lvl elite versions)

I would not mind them having a moderate reflex save for knockback with a higher one for higher bludgeoning damage. Mostly because I find ping pong mob attacks less enjoyable and more annoying. The damage portion would actually have the potential to kill you without just having you sit on your back or bouncing around the place.

[somenewnoob]

I ran epic Chains of Flame with a high evasion character and crossed paths with an Air Elemental on a bridge towards the top. I was immediately knocked off the bridge clear across the map, and fell all the way to the portal at the very bottom.

I ran Elite New Invasion last night on my cleric, and proceeded to immediately die at the end fight because some sick developer decided Barnzidu needed an Air Elemental bodyguard to keep people pinned on the curse traps. At least we completed, but not before uttering streams of curses.

I can't believe how poorly thought out these changes to Air Elementals are. Why even bother with testing on Lammania? There's no way this should have gone live. Reaver's Fate is completely dead as well.

I did a reavers for the first time since the ele changes and it was so annoying and boring....not difficult....just NOT FUN. Getting knocked back every time you hit one of them, just aggravating. Not a raid I think I'm interested in running anymore.

[Bakarne]

I ran epic Chains of Flame with a high evasion character and crossed paths with an Air Elemental on a bridge towards the top. I was immediately knocked off the bridge clear across the map, and fell all the way to the portal at the very bottom.

I ran Elite New Invasion last night on my cleric, and proceeded to immediately die at the end fight because some sick developer decided Barnzidu needed an Air Elemental bodyguard to keep people pinned on the curse traps. At least we completed, but not before uttering streams of curses.

I can't believe how poorly thought out these changes to Air Elementals are. Why even bother with testing on Lammania? There's no way this should have gone live. Reaver's Fate is completely dead as well.

[Sarisa]

The nature of their save for the knockdown has nothing to do with your own saves. It's a straight STR or DEX check, and you need extremely high levels of STR/DEX in order to stand a chance at remaining upright. Balance also does nothing.

Reflex saves help for reducing the bludgeoning damage they do, but do nothing for remaining upright.

With the insanely high stats that epic Air Eles, elite New Invasion eles, or Elite Reaver's Fate eles have, nobody but the highest STR raged out Barbs can remain upright. 40-50 STR Kensais were being tossed around just as much as 16 STR casters. At least the casters, if they get a moment's break, can back off and kill them at range. Melee's don't have that option.

A level 16 raid should not require a multi-TR'ed fully geared out capped Barbarian in order to properly tank the Reaver without being sent flying all over the whole dungeon.

[countfitz]

It's just one of those things the Devs did without any warning and really for no reason that upsets me, cause I had Bernards Hat cluttering my Bank, finally tossed it, and BAM, this.

Also, I apologize to everyone. Pretty sure it was my decision to toss the hat in the trash that caused the Devs to make the hat a useful item.

[TheKeg]

It's just one of those things the Devs did without any warning and really for no reason that upsets me, cause I had Bernards Hat cluttering my Bank, finally tossed it, and BAM, this.

Also, I apologize to everyone. Pretty sure it was my decision to toss the hat in the trash that caused the Devs to make the hat a useful item.

Doesn't matter as all air eles are a pain (especially at levels before you can actually use/wear/obtain that hat).

I remember my first times through the sands, I vowed never to go there again. Then they changed the elementals (broke them?) and suddenly they weren't doing anything to me. To see them go back to the old state of being is sad as they are once again a huge PITA and I will once again avoid areas like those on my non-caster/non-AA characters.

Too bad too, as I would really like to have madstone boots (6 runs away I think) on my fighter before I TR him. Between the elemental changes, 500 pt disintegrates (doesn't bother me ON MY CAPPED FIGHTER *cough*) and that the anti-gravity thing now (seemingly) pulls you into the center, the quest just isn't any fun to run.

[Templarion]

I like the new air elementals.

Instead of simply increasing their DPS and HP they gave them an unique ability. I like it.

I welcome the new air elementals.

[Vanquishedfo]

I like the new air elementals.

Instead of simply increasing their DPS and HP they gave them an unique ability. I like it.

I welcome the new air elementals.

yeah hamsters on the wheel dont like actual challenge added to the game design which is what they did for once. Buffing numbers is cheap and hurts game balance over all, adding abilities that force tactical thought hurt the brain of the rodent.

[Vanquishedfo]

I was on my level 9 stalwart fighter in the Desert wilderness today. I went to the area with a few Air Elementals on the undead side and couldn't stand up long enough to matter. Even had a level 10 monk there helping me. We both have GOOD STR scores too. Both of us were just getting tossed around like a leaf in the wind.

my rogue ranger who is a thief-acrobat/ tempest named leafon the whirlwind never has feared air els. but he has the sense to pull out a banishing bow and use many shot when he sees them and run the frell away otherwise.