Guitar_Guru
02-03-2006, 12:29 AM
<div></div>Just thought this would be a nice place to post all possible improvements to Warlock AoE spells, since we are after all. . . AoE masters <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Anyway, I dont want this thread to get too jumbled up, so I'd like to request everyone refrain from discussing utility and DD and Procs as of right now, unless they somehow affect the entire encounter/group. Something that I have noticed is that many people (including SOE people, other classes, and even players of the Warlocks themselves) seem to think that DD AOE is what a Warlock should be focused on. However, an idea has recently popped into my head that would make the Warlock class funner, more challenging, and more complex to play, as well as possibly more balanced with other classes in the aspect of utility and procs, though they still pertain to the AoE point-of-mind that Warlocks are now specialized in. . .Currently, I am interested in knowing what the DEV's think of placing more into the AOE category than just DD, which comprises most of the Warlock's AOE arsenal, which is actually rather small to begin with. I think that the Warlock community would be happy if two of three things happened with the Warlock class:1. We, somehow, are put back into the T1 damage class that we "belong" in.2. Our amount AND variety of AOE spells are improved, as well as adjusting the targeting mechanics (i.e. what happens when our AOE spell is casting, but the target dies by group mate).3. Casting times are reduced and aggro management becomes more feasible task.Admittedly, any of these upgrades would be MUCH appreciated in the community of Warlocks. However, I think if just two of these are filled, then we might be able to return to the "plane of balance" in which our characters would idealistically be placed around. I would prefer options 2 and 3, as we would have more to offer to the group than just DPS.Now, in regard to option 2, I have some ideas for new spell lines. . .First off, longer lasting AoE DOT's. These would allow us to do moderate damage, without worrying about getting too much aggro from this one spell alone. By doing 500 damage over 15 seconds, instead of 400 damage instantly, we would be giving the tank more time to draw aggro, but still be able to contribute to the group during those first few seconds of a fight. I also think multiple spell lines of AOE DOT's would be nice, maybe with differant fuctionality, like a stifle/interrupt that activates every 5 seconds for a total of 30 seconds, with a recast timer of. . . say, one minute. This wouldn't be totally owning the competition, yet it adds a nice little flavor to the diversity of our class, which I think would greatly improve the fun-factor of being a Warlock.Second, AOE procs. This would be an interesting aspect to develope, and I believe it would be a very nice addition to our repertiore. Throughout our group, every player has a 5% to cast a small health drain, or stacking debuff to STR and AGI that lasts 20 seconds or so, on the target. I have never seen a true group-wide proc spell yet. Or, if 5% is too low, increase it to 15% or something of the sort. As it stands, we dont have enough concentration slots to buff every group member we need to. Adding more AOE Buffs would be nice too, since we aren't defined as AOE DAMAGE masters, just AOE in general.Third, AOE debuffs/cripplers. Our AOE poison mitigation used to be nice, cant remember the spell name right away though. I think we could possible have AoE stuns, stifles, debuffs, and a lot of other things. Maybe a spell called "Muscular Decay" or something of the sort, that increases the cast time of every spell of the opposing group by 50% or something. The possibilites for effectice, balanced AoE are limitless, we just need to broaden our horizons. Ultimately though, we just more AOE lines that are on seperate timers. Currently, two main AOE DD just isn't cutting it, even when aggro isn't an issue.Edited for typos<div></div><p>Message Edited by Guitar_Guru on <span class="date_text">02-02-2006</span><span class="time_text">11:31 AM</span></p>