Slime Squisher
Posts: 352
Joined: Monday, 14th December 2015, 00:43
BVC needs further nerf(s) before the tournament
Borngjor's Vile Cluth is:
- smite-targetted with effective range 6 (see point below), meaning it covers almost all LOS
- 3x3 AoE
- it's extremely MP efficient - its full duration's damage is worth around a level 7 or 8 cast
- it immobilizes enemies, allowing for extremely efficient kiting
- it constricts enemies, lowering their EV, making spells like Iron Shot almost a guaranteed hit; it also helps with physical attacks if the player chooses them instead
- works on almost everything
- doesn't miss
- it requires convenient spell schools; if you are a caster, proceeding from BVC into higher necromancy and/or Statue or Shatter is very plausible
- it's only level 5
In its current state, even if nerfed after 0.21, it should be level 6, possibly even level 7. Yes, it's not as effective at lower spell power, but at higher ones it really shines and can kill a lot of things on its own; if it doesn't kill on its own, it will tremendously help killing with something else.
To be honest, I'm not really sure how to deal with it, luckily that's what the wonderful Game Design Discussion subforum is for! My suggestions are:
- make it level 6 or 7
- change schools to less useful ones, like Charms/Poison, so people don't as easily pick it up on the way to other powerful spells; spell's theme might have to be changed slightly for this
- remove immobilization and constriction or remove constriction and lower damage
- remove smite targetting and lower AoE
- drastically lower damage
I think the last option is the least fun, but not only am I not a great game designer, I haven't even thought these suggestions through. What I'm sure about though is that BVC is still too good and a nerf should be introduced before the tournament.
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EDIT: Comparison with other spells filling the support/damage hybrid niche.
- Irradiate: melee, damages allies, contaminates, more awkward spell schools
- Yara's Violent Unraveling: requires line of fire, requires target to be buffed/debuffed, damages allies (and the player if in melee), very awkward spell schools
- Ring of Fire: melee, damages allies, gives heavy rC penalty, two levels higher
- Singularity: removed from the game
- For this message the author Leszczynek has received thanks: 4
- Octopode-monk-of-XOM, Sprucery, VeryAngryFelid, ZoFy