Spell Graphics

[Kazander13]

<p>Ok, I have quit and come back to the game a few times now and one thing I have noticed now that I have 5 characters is that a  lot of spell graphics are recycled.  I have a Shadowknight, Coercer, Brawler, Warlock, and Brigand, and my wife plays a Defiler, Fury, Guardian, Dirge, and Necromancer.  Now one thing I have noticed is that MOST of the spells we use have the same graphic, I haven't really thought about it enough to post until the other day when I thought, hey, this game is a few years old now.  I can understand it at the beginning, but after a couple of years and several alts later, I'm wondering how this ever has gone so long without being griped at on a higher level.  I mean, I would agree that mechanics take priority, but one of the best aspects of this game is supposed to be the Look and Fee department, yet, when I duo with my wife, I can't tell which spells are hers or mine, they all have the same 5 or 6 graphics.  Floaty skull, black bubbles, the purple misty bubble, the triangle of black goop for wards and reactives etc.  The only oen that really has anything unique is the coercer, but I feel like a wuss casting spells with him because there's no real BANG! to it. just one miniature beam which hits, and another which looks like it bursts into rainbow hued music notes.  Don't get me wrong there are some decent ones out there, but I think it's time to adjust some of these, at elast make them differ from each other.  Spells as they stand are recycled at what, 14 levels?  At least let that class have 14 unique effects instead of borrowing from 3 other classes.  Someone else mentioned that spells from wizards look the same from level one to level seventy....that's just not right.  Especially if you give these spells menacing names, in fact, I wish the guy who thought up the names of spells had some say in the effects department as well.  The only spell effect that I truly applaud is mana sieve from the SK line, hats off to whoever did that.  Other than that, it's an honestly beautiful game, I think it's just time for a spell rehaul.</p>

[Titigabe]

Hi <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I just agree with you! (but try to give a bit of air to your text, so that it won't hurt our eyes anymore *joke*) This problem with spells having the same graphics over and over again has been already discussed about, but I hope they'll be listening to us soon. I think the most boring thing in all that is that, when you level, and get an update of your spell, the graphics just look the same, what ever level you are. If you cast a fire ball when you're level 5, or when you're level 60, it's just the same fire ball, with a different name. As magic is a full part of the gameplay, a solution should really be brought, because I guess many people'll get borred.

[Myles Gordon]

I agree with you guys 100% - the spells look awesome but there needs to be WAY more variety in the spell effects... I'm really tired of looking at that stupid lightning bolt that freezes the guys that's supposed to be a tornado on my fury... and my bug swarm that looks the same as every poison spell in the game.

[Araxes]

I've really felt the same way since day 1 in this game. Every class should have all its own, unique spell animations -- or spell effects, if you will.  As a level 70 Warlock, the only truly unique spell graphic I have is Rift, not including pet graphics, and even then it's actually an enlarged version of an old Conjuror spell.  The green and purple gas clouds are shared, as is the bone hand.  Netherous Realm doesn't even <i>have </i>a graphic.  In a game that's been around for 2 years, where the class selection is supposed to be one of the primary focus, it boggles my mind that the spell animations have not been updated to reflect a more unique sense of class individualism and character.

[Josgar]

I dont really mind the class spell animations being the same... or shared, but maybe if someone gets a more powerful version of a spell, the effects should look slightly different. But think about this: 80+ different spell effects times 24 classes...

[Winter]

<span style="font-size: small; color: #ff66ff; font-family: comic sans ms,sand">I think one of the biggest things to take into consideration here is JUST how far ahead of its time this game was upon release. Considering when it came out, the effects currently in game were breaking new ground for mmorpg's... I'm almost certain that they will do an update of some sort as the game ages - look at how much EQlive changed over the years... It's gradual and will take time, especially with such a complex game with a virtual mountain of spells and skills.</span>

[Titigabe]

I hope you're right... But as far as it goes, we've never heard anything about that. Many things have changed and have been revamped since the game first launched. Now, they have changed the way they design zones, they add cool new races, they promise they'll redo the squeletal model and armors look... But no clues about an update to the spell graphics. I hope RoK will bring exclusive new spells animations.

[xpraetorianx]

hell, coercers are missing effects for a majority of our spells really, and whats there is REALLY vague...

[Myles Gordon]

Bah.. another new spell I got that has NO graphics... I really hope someone is working on new spell effects its like they keep adding more spells but just reuse the same graphics only make them a different color or have no graphics for them at all. 

[Deadrus]

Spells really do need to be redone the the skeletal system first so we can get some clothing veriety. Then once we get that done Please rework the spells. Ive said this in several other posts that wizard spells look so freeking weak. Ice Comet looks like a freeking snow ball. in EQ1 Ice comet looked exactaly what you think of when you hear the name. A freeking huge ball of ice comes from the sky looks like a comet and explodes thowing shards of ice every where. Now thats what it should be in EQ2. I'm really hopeing to see better spell animatoins in the near future after they get the skeleton system revamped.

[Myles Gordon]

Can someone going to Fan Faire bring this up at the panel discussion?

[Smiling-Guk]

<p>They should redesign the spell effects for performance too... they're so particle-heavy but the shapes and behaviours don't always pay off for the trade in performance.</p><p>Honestly for spell visuals it's  time to look at some asian games, certain ones have very impressive spell graphics... Risk Your Life, Cabal Online, etc..... fast-animating and clean spell graphics.  I'm sure the soga team has ideas if the usa group does not.</p>

[Coffee31]

Well it has been some time since this thread went out, butwe still have the same shared graphics. PLEASE SONY revamp the entire spell system, watching the same spells from multiple characters gets old. Increase effects for newer versions of the same spell line, use particles that are part of the world rather than just attached to the character. EQ1 did spells right, surely EQ2 can.

[Gala]

I think the spell effects also give allot of lag. On the next LU they will add the use of dual core computers. This would reduce the lag probably. I gues the next step could be to refamp the spell effects by making them more in line of there name and more efficient to reduce lag.I also saw you psoted at a different location.<a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=430320" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here</a>

[Curs3]

k well this isnt about performance.  Having 24 different spells going on is as equal as 24 of the same..turn your particles down.. anywaysI agree so long as all classes get a good looking at.

[Jeenyous]

<p>Any slot that gives a visible graphic should be given an appearance slot, including charms that give off light, etc.</p><p>Also, any item that gives off a visible <u>particle</u> graphic should be able to be toggled on/off.</p><p>Thank you.</p>

[FetishStar]

I can understand that they are taking the time to do things right BUT as far as Spells, it's really not that hard to put a ncie gif. together, test it and play it......I hate when i see someone else with my spell, drives me crazy as am sure it does them.