Rainbow Blast Powerset
I'm sorry, but the treat of a Care Bear SG scares me too much.
@Mechaniker
Official Old Angry German Guy of CoV.
My Characters: http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=247787
Retint Energy Blast. Thank you, I16! We love you!
to TO THE END!
Villains are those who dedicate their lives to causing mayhem. Villians are people from the planet Villia!
Can I have a horsey too?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yZHm...eature=related
Srs sggstin IS srs?!
Is that even legal?
Still..it...it actually sounds quite good. A bit daft, maybe. But interesting XD
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
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As for the actual visuals, they sound nice. But you're better off hoping the devs will get around to making alternate animations for sets and making this one for Energy or Fire Blast.
There's no mechanical uniqueness to it, just a few 'different' powers like a reskinned Drain Psyche and a 'ranged Follow-up'. Concept-wise, it's fulfilled by Energy Blast or even Fire Blast. And the lack of some sort of secondary effect weakens its unity as a set.
As for the actual visuals, they sound nice. But you're better off hoping the devs will get around to making alternate animations for sets and making this one for Energy or Fire Blast. |
So. Yeah. Mechanically different from any blast set in at least 3 powers. Visually different in -every- power.
-Rachel-
Ehhh I'll give you color drain. But there is no Ranged Follow Up, and definitely not one in any existing set (like Fire Blast or Energy Blast). So that's New. Prism Fall is sort of like a Fireball attack, I suppose... But as a Ground Target power rather than a target power you get some freedoms in it's placing. Unique to this set. And the Tier 9 Nuke is mechanically unique, too, for a blast set. Sure it uses some of the same tech as Lightning Rod or Shield Charge but it drops the pet before the Teleport.
So. Yeah. Mechanically different from any blast set in at least 3 powers. Visually different in -every- power. -Rachel- |
And the TP nova fails me to provide a unique feel to this set, mechanic wise. Yes, it's not like any other nova but why is this the pivot point for unique mechanics for the set? Why would you even want to TP into the enemy and have no endurance afterwards? I.e. what's so unique about it considering the entire set?
Nothing really groundbreaking and as far as I can tell, most new sets are pretty much that. Groundbreaking and unique to set them apart from any other set.
Archery? Groundbreaking and Unique...? Sonic Blast? Pain Domination? Katana?
How about Willpower..? Or Earth Assault?
Most of these sets have powers in them already in the game, somewhere else. Or barring that they have pretty "Standard" powers. Pain Dom is a re-skin and slight revamp of Empathy, Earth Assault is a mashup of Stone Melee with some ranged attacks Katana is a direct reskinning of Broadsword just like Maces and Axes are almost identical. Willpower has some damage resistance, a little defense, some +HP, and regen. All of which can be found in other sets.
The rest of your argument, however, is sound. There really is no reason for these other powers to have unique or semi-unique mechanics. And I say "Unique" in the sense of "Unique to a Blast Set".
So from -that- perspective I suppose I should return to the drawing board with Rainbow blast... or at the least a few of it's powers. Anyone have any suggestions?
-Rachel-
Secondary: My Little Pony Assault!
Just reskin the Nemesis Horse a few times and there you go!
-Rachel-
It has potential. Make it Energy/Lethal damage and it could be a laserific counterpart to Energy Blast.
Goodbye may seem forever
Farewell is like the end
But in my heart's the memory
And there you'll always be
-- The Fox and the Hound
Archery? Groundbreaking and Unique...? Sonic Blast? Pain Domination? Katana?
How about Willpower..? Or Earth Assault? |
Katana was one of the 1st powersets in the game so isn't what I'm talking about. Pain Domination yeah, it's 'unique' in that it's like an offensive version of Empathy that buffs he user as he heals others...that's something new...and still keeps close to Empathy (like everyone wanted).
As for suggestions, I dunno. Give me a chance to take another shot and maybe I'll be hit by inspiration...Maybe play on he whole 'rainbow' 'spectrum of colors' deal. You've got 6 colors (violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red), combined colors (white) and lack of color (black). 8 colors there. Plus some sort of build up power or control power...
Make a proc mechanic that requires 3 frequencies of the spectrum that does *something*? Kinda like DB combos but you don't have to use a certain string of attacks? Just put 3 wavelengths on a foe at once...
Goodbye may seem forever
Farewell is like the end
But in my heart's the memory
And there you'll always be
-- The Fox and the Hound
I'm trying to think how the Tier9's going to work there. It sounds like Omega Maneuver +Teleport away, if I'm reading it right - which would likely make it the safest nuke in the game (Electric and Ice are probably safest ATM, with ranged nukes, Ice's still being a DOT IIRC.)
Description wise, I like it. Mechanically, though - yeah, not sure how it'd work. Set off the nuke (with a slight delay,) then teleport. Teleport, now, requires a target. Even Shield Charge/Lightning Rod require one. If it's possible to randomly TP away instantly after the taunting pet is placed, I think it'd work (though add some risk you're going to land in another group.)
The other thing I'm not sure of is the 5% chance for random damage type being added in. Most that I can think of with "chance to..." something have just one effect. While it fits with the theme, I'm not sure it's doable in that way. Now, if each attach had a chance of its own damage type (one does fire, one does ice, etc.) it would still maintain some of the flavor you're going for. (Of course, if it IS mechanically possible - hey, why not.)
Sounds like it'd be an interesting enough set though on first readthrough.
That's exactly how it works, Bill.
5% chance of Fire DoT
5% Chance of Cold based Slow
5% Chance of Toxic -Regen
5% Chance of Dark -Acc
5% Chance of Energy Knockback/Knockdown
5% Chance of Electric -Recovery
5% Chance of Radiation -Def
5% Chance of Psi -Recharge
5% Chance of Sonic -Dam Res
Statistically speaking that means the set has only a 40% chance to have -any- secondary effect. However we've all had those wonderful anecdotal instances where multiple 5% chances lined up, whether it's a critical hit when you have a 5% chance of hitting your target or rolling 20 on a d20 fice or six times in a row. Statistical anomalies like these would definitely make up for the random nature of the secondary effect, I'd wager.
And, actually, the Nuke would be no safer than Sonic, Fire, Energy, Dark, or Rad's nuke. You still run into the middle of a group of enemies who, unless taunted or controlled in some fashion, will smack you with their en-masse alpha strike in the few moments before you put the targeting recticle down. And yes, it's a Point Blank drop for the pet with the teleport to location, not a randomized teleport.
Just need to re-envision several new powers with linking mechanisms... Though I've thought of one for the ranged Follow Up! Rainbow-Based laser Sighting! XD
-Rachel-
And, actually, the Nuke would be no safer than Sonic, Fire, Energy, Dark, or Rad's nuke. You still run into the middle of a group of enemies who, unless taunted or controlled in some fashion, will smack you with their en-masse alpha strike in the few moments before you put the targeting recticle down. And yes, it's a Point Blank drop for the pet with the teleport to location, not a randomized teleport.
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Shield charge, lightning rod, etc. you pick your spot and tp/attack there. It's pretty straightforward - arrive and the attack goes off.
Going the other way? You're doing an awful lot - as you say, running in (or SJing, SSing, teleporting,) firing off the pet and then - hopefully - teleporting out. I'm not sure of any power that does anything similar (yeah, I know, part of the point) or if the mechanics of that work (much less you having time to put down that reticle and TP out - itself with mroe of a delay. Plus, try to use it in any PVP zone and the TP out won't work, suppressed after attacking or being attacked. No, I doubt anyone would use it as a PVP attack, but dealing with the mobs in a zone, perhaps.)
Which is part of why I brought up the random TP. That *might* be doable (thoughthe PVP issue remains,) and removes the need (and time needed) for the player to figure out where to TP to.
Think you misunderstand me, though.
Shield charge, lightning rod, etc. you pick your spot and tp/attack there. It's pretty straightforward - arrive and the attack goes off. Going the other way? You're doing an awful lot - as you say, running in (or SJing, SSing, teleporting,) firing off the pet and then - hopefully - teleporting out. I'm not sure of any power that does anything similar (yeah, I know, part of the point) or if the mechanics of that work (much less you having time to put down that reticle and TP out - itself with mroe of a delay. Plus, try to use it in any PVP zone and the TP out won't work, suppressed after attacking or being attacked. No, I doubt anyone would use it as a PVP attack, but dealing with the mobs in a zone, perhaps.) Which is part of why I brought up the random TP. That *might* be doable (thoughthe PVP issue remains,) and removes the need (and time needed) for the player to figure out where to TP to. |
As for travel suppression, does spawning a pet count as an attack? I understand the TP suppression hits if the player attacks or is attacked... but I'm not sure on pet-spawns.
-Rachel-
Edit: To be perfectly clear, Bill, I'm -not- certain it's possible to drop the pet and then teleport. I'm fairly sure it is, but... *shrugs!* Alternatively it could be made into a Rainbow-based Lightning Rod, instead? Wouldn't upset me in the slightest!
As for travel suppression, does spawning a pet count as an attack? I understand the TP suppression hits if the player attacks or is attacked... but I'm not sure on pet-spawns.
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Edit: To be perfectly clear, Bill, I'm -not- certain it's possible to drop the pet and then teleport. I'm fairly sure it is, but... *shrugs!* Alternatively it could be made into a Rainbow-based Lightning Rod, instead? Wouldn't upset me in the slightest! |
You could give the nuke a placate-type effect and perhaps a short invisibility/phase. It'd be more desirable than either cramming a random teleport down the player's throat or running into the middle of a crowd and fiddling with the teleport mechanic in order to nuke and leave.
Goodbye may seem forever
Farewell is like the end
But in my heart's the memory
And there you'll always be
-- The Fox and the Hound
At this point I think the problem tiers are six eight and nine.
For Eight I really like the idea of draining an opponent's vibrance and color using the Desaturation value that, currently, only comes into play during Oroboros missions, and even then only at the beginning or end of the mission.
So how about we make "Color Drain" into a targeted AoE or Cone AoE which applies a +recharge to the player and slows the targets with the chance to stun? Effectively siphoning off their vibrance to enhance your own. The more enemies in the AoE, the more the +recharge.
Prism Fall does seem to come out of the blue in a set that uses Rainbows. So how about we replace it with a ground target AoE Moderate Damage and Blind effect? Prismatic Flash could be a rainbow colored ball of light exploding in the area.
Now for the Tier 9 issue I think we need to move away from teleporting effects, as cool as I like to think they are. Instead let's go for a mini-nuke rather than a full nuke. Ground target AoE "Ultima" effect. Those of you who've played the various Final Fantasy games have seen the expanding sphere effect caused by the "Ultima" spell. How about applying that to the animation of this power with a play of rainbow colors on it.
As an added bonus of the mininuke (doing damage near to Rain of Arrows as opposed to Nova) how about having -all- the color effects apply? Or have a greater than normal chance to apply on the Tier nine?
As another interesting option, how about making -all- the attacks in the set dish out "Illusion" damage? Split the powers between energy and lethal, and apply a delay before a partial heal (like Spectral Wounds). This would replace the "Color Effect" and instead increase the overall damage of the set, making it very useful against minions and lieutenants, but less useful against Bosses, EBs, AVs, Monsters, and GMs (who generally live long enough to get the "Healing" component).
-Rachel-
ROY G. BIV - that's the seven colours in a rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. |
Anyways, since you're so adamant about this concept, I'll propose my take on it...
Rename "Rainbow Blast" to "Radiant Blast" - Why? Because you're able to color your powers to use whatever colors you want either using all colors or just 1. It really isn't a rainbow if you decide to use only 1 or 2 colors.
Radiant Blast: Using varying wavelengths and combinations of light, the user of Radiant Blasts can create mixtures of energy then manipulate them in varying ways. Either unleashing the effects upon enemies or absorbing them for your own benefit.
Wavelength mix = requires a mix of 3 different frequencies. For explanation's sake, we'll say color names. The set will have 6 blasts, 1 control that relate to a certain end of the spectrum. You must combine at least 3 (like combos but in no specific order) to unleash either Wavelength mixes. Using a color associated with the other end cancels the mix and using attacks consistent with either category continues to proc the effect. The proc does not stack with the same user.
--Infrared (red, orange, yellow or green) = 100% proc for fire dmg and -def or +regen and ToHit on self.
--Ultraviolet (violet, indigo, blue or green) = 100% proc for -res and foe knockdown or +res to all but psi/toxic on self.
1. High Oscillating Shot (ST energy dmg; *special color splash 'red') Note, the animations would be the same suggested by the OP. To differentiate them, the length of oscillation for the arcs differ, being smaller and faster waves for 'high/red' and longer and slower waves for 'low/violet'. Also, color splash is like Gauntlet in that it spreads the special to all in range.
2. Low Oscillating Burst (ST energy dmg; *special color splash 'violet')
3. Low Frequency Wave (Cone energy dmg; *special color splash 'indigo')
4. High Frequency Stream (ST moderate energy dmg; self +dmg/ToHit; *special color splash 'orange')
5. Low Oscillating Orb (Ranged AoE energy/knockdown; *special color splash 'blue')
6. High Radiant Rain (Ground target AoE energy dmg/slow; *special color splash 'yellow')
7. Absorb Radiance (Cone Foe -dmg/slow movement; *special removes all color splash; *special self buff per-foe)Note, you get a self buff for each foe caught in this that also has the corresponding wavelength mix.
8. Radiant Flash (ST foe hold/-ToHit; *special color splash 'green')Note, this is the 'middle' frequency of all the color and can be used to produce the Infrared effect or Ultraviolet effect.
9. Prismatic Burst (wide arc cone nova, self -END, -recovery, -regen) This uses all colors, i.e. white. So does not interfere with either Infrared or Ultraviolet effects.
Notes: The splash color effect has a decent duration so there's no real haste to get the effect. The names are up for debate but basically, High = Infrared and Low = Ultraviolet for simplicity by the user. Ideally, the user could proc one of the combos once then use Absorb radiance to buff himself OR they can keep using same frequency powers and continue to proc the effect. The -def from Infrared doesn't stack but you can keep getting the fire dmg on all in range. Similarly, the -res doesn't stack from Ultraviolet but you can keep KD on the enemies.
This r srs suggestion!
The concept is just how it sounds. Firing multicolored beams at the target. Initially "Rainbow" Blasts, but with power customization you could give the power two colors and it would create a blended spectrum between the two. Kind of like how using Dark Miasma's shadowfall creates a blend between colors.
The spec in the sky
Now there would be two "Catches" for the powerset. Firstly I don't imagine "Rainbow Blast" as a single beam of rainbow striated light. I imagine it, primarily, as a series of multicolored ribbons of light moving towards the target in arcs. Similar to Ghost Widow's "Hold" Patron power. The arcing light flying towards and engulfing the target. Just change the arc so that most of the powers hit the target directly. The second "Catch" is that Rainbows don't naturally do damage or have any secondary effect. In light of this I suggest that each power in the set have a 5% chance of granting one of the other "Standard" secondary effects. 5% chance of slow (ala Cold) or -rec (like electric), etc.
So! Without further ado.
Tier One: Rainbow Shot; Single Target Ranged Minor Damage (Special Color Effect). Simple, clean, Effective. Extend one hand, fling energy ribbons, move on. Recharge: Very Fast, End Cost small.
Tier Two: Rainbow Blast; Single Target Ranged Moderate Damage (Special Color Effect). Again, very simple, almost "Standard" for Blast sets. Two handed Rainbow Blast. Recharge Fast, End Cost Low
Tier Three: Prismatic Wave; Cone AoE Moderate damage (Special Color Effect). Similar to Energy Torrent, but likely the animation of "Lift" yank both hands up and send a high-arcing energy wave-form which undulates towards the targets. Recharge Moderate, End Cost Moderate
Tier Four: Spectrum Sight; Single Target Ranged Minor Self +Acc +Dam Damage (Special Color Effect) Ranged Follow Up. Small damage boost (10-15%) moderate Accuracy boost (35-40%) This would be the one power in the set that fires a single striated beam of light at the target, using the same animation as Eye Beam from Radiation Blast. Recharge around a minute, end cost moderate.
Tier Five: Color Sphere; Targeted Range AoE Moderate Damage (Special Color Effect) Fireball Effect. I'd suggest a new animation for this power, combining the Kinetic Melee energy ball formation with the Poison secondary's "Alkaloid" Lob. Recharge Long, End Cost Moderate.
Tier Six: Prism Fall; Ground Target AoE High Damage (Special Color Effect) You cause a Rainbow to touch down in the area designated. Same character animation as "Rain of Fire" with a single application of damage. Recharge Very Long, End Cost High.
Tier Seven: Prismatic Burst; Short Range Single Target Superior Damage (Special Color Effect) Again, the Kinetic melee "Rainbow Ball" formation thrown short-range into the target. Functions as Energy Burst. Recharge: Long End Cost: High
Tier Eight: Color Drain; Point Blank AoE Self +Regen +Recovery Enemy -Regen. Uses a similar animation to Personal Force Field, steals enemy regen to give the player health and end over time. Could also use the "Desaturation Effect" to cause the player or player's team's colors to fade out, then back in, if they've got the option on in the menu. End Cost Low, Recharge Very Long.
Tier Nine: Rainbow; Ground Target AoE Taunt Damage Extreme Self Teleport Self -End Self -Recovery (Special Color Effect). Inverse Lightning Rod. You call down the Rainbow in the form of a Pet Power which Taunts all enemies in a 30 foot burst of itself, has a short delay (.7 seconds?) , then animates as a rainbow. Player teleports immediately after choosing the ground target leaving enemies moving to where he or she was just before the rainbow comes down in the area. Recharge: Very Long, End Cost: Moderate
So! Wholly new set, mechanically different from most of what we've got in play at the moment, new thematic appearance would play well into "Magic" characters, and it still fits within the basic outlines of a blast powerset's requirements (two single target attacks in the first tier, two or more AoEs, etc)
Don't tell me it can be done with Energy Blast. It can't. The idea, the theme, could. But the mechanical differences and animations I've supplied could not be done with Energy Blast. It's like saying "Who needs Katana, when we've got Broadsword!" Or "Willpower? Feh! We've got Invuln!"
-Rachel-