History of significant buffs & nerfs

[danr]

I'm just curious - I know that armour was nerfed in 0.6, as was Stone Arrow.

What other major nerfs / buffs have occurred in the history of DCSS, and when?

E.g. when was rSlow removed?

[Kate]

In 0.6, rSlow was removed, as was the Divinations magic school. Spammals was nerfed to no longer summon green or orange rats, and to summon at most 2 allies. Poison Arrow was nerfed to be 60% irresistible instead of 30%. Tukima's Dance was nerfed to only be useful with large, heavy weapons. The armour nerf happened, as well as GDA's AC being reduced. Player elemental resistances were reduced. Berserk health boost was reduced from 200% to 150%.

And 0.6 was when I started playing properly (went online and got totally addicted), maybe it wasn't such a great time to start.

[galehar]

Poison Arrow was nerfed to be 60% irresistible instead of 30%.

Isn't it the other way around?

Tukima's Dance was nerfed to only be useful with large, heavy weapons.

And also a big emphasize was put on the spell power (at least, that's what the code comments says). So it's now quite powerful for dedicated enchanters, but not so much for other casters who only dabble in enchantment until they can caste haste at an acceptable success.

[danr]

The other difference I noticed in 0.4.5 was that my actual HP did not go down after the rage left. This made it actually an effective healing technique if you could afford the hunger.

[Kate]

Poison Arrow was nerfed to be 60% irresistible instead of 30%.

Isn't it the other way around?

Oops yeah, that is what I meant.

[jpeg]

And 0.6 was when I started playing properly (went online and got totally addicted), maybe it wasn't such a great time to start.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Stonesoup has a long history of nerfing stuff.

For example, 0.1 started out with, among others:

• Enhancer staves boost spell power only, not success rates.
• Detect creatures is somewhat inaccurate; level-map is cleared before DC.
• Sif Muna piety increases only when training spell skills (as opposed to when casting)

Of course, there were buffs, too. For example:

• Shields are better.
• Curare-tipped needles are available in addition to generic poisoned needles.

I love reading the changelog.

[danr]

Another big buff is the introduction of branded ammo.

There was a comment in another thread about "power creep". I think it would be interesting to have a side-by-side list of nerfs and buffs to see which there's been more of. I notice the nerfs more than the buffs, but others think the game is getting more buffs.

[jpeg]

I think it would be interesting to have a side-by-side list of nerfs and buffs to see which there's been more of. I notice the nerfs more than the buffs, but others think the game is getting more buffs.

Oh, please do! I'd be really interested in the results.
changelog.txt is fairly comprehensive, so go through it and try to work out what was made stronger and what was weakened.

However, you'll probably find that for some changes, it's hard to tell. Some players consider the removal of Selective Amnesia a clear nerf, others cheer at making it available to more characters. Melded equipment keeping its ponderous effect (and stat boosts) is a nerf and a buff at the same time. So it probably depends on your playing style and your favourite builds.

Also, a lot of the time balance goes back and forth. I'd also consider large interface improvements as buffs in disguise.

[danr]

I was going to give it a shot but I looked at just your post on 0.8 development alone and gadzooks there is a lot...

I'm going to do as suggested and just trust the devs, reserving of course the right to make crazy or not so crazy suggestions every now and then. I hope my weapon equipping screen idea gets into the hopper for 0.9 development!

[joellercoaster]

Melded equipment keeping its ponderous effect (and stat boosts) is a nerf and a buff at the same time.

I'm quite looking forward to having another go at Chei-worshipping Transmuters in 0.8! The stat boosts were my favourite thing.

Which reminds me - does the upcoming change include keeping Ponderous gloves on when you're using Blade Hands?

[galehar]

Melded equipment keeping its ponderous effect (and stat boosts) is a nerf and a buff at the same time.

I'm quite looking forward to having another go at Chei-worshipping Transmuters in 0.8! The stat boosts were my favourite thing.

Which reminds me - does the upcoming change include keeping Ponderous gloves on when you're using Blade Hands?

Yes