Fallen
08-21-2006, 06:25 PM
In my studies over the years of the spells commonly available upon scrolls, I often puzzle over the various facets of a seemingly neglected system. Many spells which used to be found on scrolls have seemingly disappeared from the system, while others were never added since the spell's inception. In this post, I will attempt to outline which spells I believe have been improperly removed from the system, and give my opinion as to why the spells in question should be (re)instated back into the general scroll population. Afterwards, I will post my ideas on creating a means to reintroduce high level spells onto scrolls, as well as an entirely new concept in item design for the treasure system, or auction quality releases.
Onto the current level 1-19 Scroll Exempt List:
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Sorcerer - Two spells exempt, one logical (Scroll Infusion)
Dark Catalyst (719) - As far as I can tell, Dark Catalyst cannot be found upon scrolls. There is no reason why this spell should be exempt. It works just as any other warding based attack spell, albeit a powerful one.
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Ranger - Four spells exempt, one logical (Imbue)
Whispering Willow (605) - This is an excellent and highly useful spell in select situations, though I do not believe it to be so much so that it should be classified as a niche ranger spell. The Lore bonus upgrades more than cover the issue of rangers remaining the most proficient users of this spell.
Camoflauge (608) - This is a spell that would prove useful in only rare situations, though certainly more than many of the utility/combat based spells commonly found upon scrolls such as Vibration Chant or Slow.
Spike Thorn (616) - Like Boil Earth, this spell would be useful only when under-hunting or for a ranger conserving mana. However, as Boil Earth IS found upon scrolls, why not Spike Thorn? I actually DO hunt with Boil Earth from time to time, as it is a fun change of pace, and it is an offensive spell that can be utilized when out of mana and spirit.
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Paladin - *7* spells exempt
Dauntless (1606) - Why is this spell exempt? It is no different from many other spells that aid with AS. Bravery, Heroism, Benediction, ect. It is a highly useful spell.
Divine Shield (1609) - Much like the spell 1605, or Arm of the Arkati, this spell would provide an excellent, though albeit limited, bonus to those who hunt in groups with shields. I wouldn't consider this to be an overpowered release as most areas higher in level have spell burst limitations, and this would be a difficult choice above a pure defensive spell.
Higher Vision (1610) - A standard defensive spell. No tricky bonuses. No odd clauses. Why is this spell exempt?
Patron's Blessing (1611) - This is a rather complicated spell, so I can see why it could possibly be exempt from the scroll lists. However, the benefits are quite interesting if a bit lackluster at their base level. Still, is there any specific reason why this spell is exempt?
Champion's Might (1612) - A very interesting and powerful spell. However, the spell is effectively limited due to its duration, even if the spell is stackable. To be cast more than an infrequent amount, the spell would have to be unlocked and infused, which is certainly difficult to do when dealing with the Paladin Circle. Still, I see no reason why this spell should not show up on scrolls.
Divine Vengeance (1613) - Due to the nature of this spell, I can understand it being kept as exempt. It is intrinsic to the Arkati/Paladin professional relationship, and seems to be a "niche" spell.
Guard of the Meek (1618) - This spell would be an excellent addition to the commonly generated scroll lists due to the fact that it would never actually raise the caster's DS. It is not unbalancing in any way, due to the fact that the bonus is not terrifically large, and there are many other spells that provide aid to only those that are in the caster's group. It would promote grouping, and would be limited by spell burst in later areas.
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Empathic Circle - One spell Exempt
Empathic Focus (1109) - This is a spell that once did appear on scrolls, though can no longer be found. It is also one of my pet peeves. The duration for this spell is quite short, which would provide an adequate balance to those wishing to make constant use of its benefits. There is NO reason in my mind why this spell should be exempt. If we can use Strength of will, and Arm of the Arkati..why not Empathic Focus? Please place this spell BACK on the normally found scroll list.
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Bardic Circle - Many spells Exempt due to the nature of bardic magic
Stunning Shout (1008) - A spell that could work well enough due to the nature of its use. No reason to be exempt.
Song of Unraveling (1013) - Many bard spells are useless on scrolls due to the way their magic works. However, this spell would be perfectly fine in its limited lore-free capacity should it be found upon scrolls. It would not be terribly overpowering, though would certainly be beneficial from time to time.
Song of Depression (1015) - Though not terribly useful, there is no reason for this spell to be exempt.
Song of Rage (1016) - Again, this spell would work just as well as any other non-self cast warding based spell, such as frenzy. Please allow for the spell to generate upon scrolls.
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Wizard Circle - Three Exemptions, One logical (Charge Item)
Rapid Fire (515) - This is a spell that can be of definite use in combat scenarios, though only lasts a short while. It did once generate upon scrolls, although it no longer does. Is there any reason why? The spell's duration limits it from constant use, even from an unlocked scroll. Due to its high mana costs, no scroll would hold out for long with its recharging. This spell should be added back into the general scroll population.
Immolation (519) - Another in a relatively long list of odd spell exemptions. This spell was also once found upon scrolls, though seemingly no longer gens. Immolation requires a warding roll so isn't useful to most non-wizards. However, it CAN be of use to some, including wizards who wish to conserve mana. Why not allow it? I see absolutely no reason.
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Major Spiritual - Three exemptions, Two logical (Living Spell, Spirit Servant)
Mass Interference (217) - A definite oddity to the exempt list, so much so that I believe it may just be my poor luck in never coming across this spell. I can see no reason at all why this spell would be exempt from the scroll generator.
(See Following Post for Part Two)
Onto the current level 1-19 Scroll Exempt List:
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Sorcerer - Two spells exempt, one logical (Scroll Infusion)
Dark Catalyst (719) - As far as I can tell, Dark Catalyst cannot be found upon scrolls. There is no reason why this spell should be exempt. It works just as any other warding based attack spell, albeit a powerful one.
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Ranger - Four spells exempt, one logical (Imbue)
Whispering Willow (605) - This is an excellent and highly useful spell in select situations, though I do not believe it to be so much so that it should be classified as a niche ranger spell. The Lore bonus upgrades more than cover the issue of rangers remaining the most proficient users of this spell.
Camoflauge (608) - This is a spell that would prove useful in only rare situations, though certainly more than many of the utility/combat based spells commonly found upon scrolls such as Vibration Chant or Slow.
Spike Thorn (616) - Like Boil Earth, this spell would be useful only when under-hunting or for a ranger conserving mana. However, as Boil Earth IS found upon scrolls, why not Spike Thorn? I actually DO hunt with Boil Earth from time to time, as it is a fun change of pace, and it is an offensive spell that can be utilized when out of mana and spirit.
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Paladin - *7* spells exempt
Dauntless (1606) - Why is this spell exempt? It is no different from many other spells that aid with AS. Bravery, Heroism, Benediction, ect. It is a highly useful spell.
Divine Shield (1609) - Much like the spell 1605, or Arm of the Arkati, this spell would provide an excellent, though albeit limited, bonus to those who hunt in groups with shields. I wouldn't consider this to be an overpowered release as most areas higher in level have spell burst limitations, and this would be a difficult choice above a pure defensive spell.
Higher Vision (1610) - A standard defensive spell. No tricky bonuses. No odd clauses. Why is this spell exempt?
Patron's Blessing (1611) - This is a rather complicated spell, so I can see why it could possibly be exempt from the scroll lists. However, the benefits are quite interesting if a bit lackluster at their base level. Still, is there any specific reason why this spell is exempt?
Champion's Might (1612) - A very interesting and powerful spell. However, the spell is effectively limited due to its duration, even if the spell is stackable. To be cast more than an infrequent amount, the spell would have to be unlocked and infused, which is certainly difficult to do when dealing with the Paladin Circle. Still, I see no reason why this spell should not show up on scrolls.
Divine Vengeance (1613) - Due to the nature of this spell, I can understand it being kept as exempt. It is intrinsic to the Arkati/Paladin professional relationship, and seems to be a "niche" spell.
Guard of the Meek (1618) - This spell would be an excellent addition to the commonly generated scroll lists due to the fact that it would never actually raise the caster's DS. It is not unbalancing in any way, due to the fact that the bonus is not terrifically large, and there are many other spells that provide aid to only those that are in the caster's group. It would promote grouping, and would be limited by spell burst in later areas.
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Empathic Circle - One spell Exempt
Empathic Focus (1109) - This is a spell that once did appear on scrolls, though can no longer be found. It is also one of my pet peeves. The duration for this spell is quite short, which would provide an adequate balance to those wishing to make constant use of its benefits. There is NO reason in my mind why this spell should be exempt. If we can use Strength of will, and Arm of the Arkati..why not Empathic Focus? Please place this spell BACK on the normally found scroll list.
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Bardic Circle - Many spells Exempt due to the nature of bardic magic
Stunning Shout (1008) - A spell that could work well enough due to the nature of its use. No reason to be exempt.
Song of Unraveling (1013) - Many bard spells are useless on scrolls due to the way their magic works. However, this spell would be perfectly fine in its limited lore-free capacity should it be found upon scrolls. It would not be terribly overpowering, though would certainly be beneficial from time to time.
Song of Depression (1015) - Though not terribly useful, there is no reason for this spell to be exempt.
Song of Rage (1016) - Again, this spell would work just as well as any other non-self cast warding based spell, such as frenzy. Please allow for the spell to generate upon scrolls.
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Wizard Circle - Three Exemptions, One logical (Charge Item)
Rapid Fire (515) - This is a spell that can be of definite use in combat scenarios, though only lasts a short while. It did once generate upon scrolls, although it no longer does. Is there any reason why? The spell's duration limits it from constant use, even from an unlocked scroll. Due to its high mana costs, no scroll would hold out for long with its recharging. This spell should be added back into the general scroll population.
Immolation (519) - Another in a relatively long list of odd spell exemptions. This spell was also once found upon scrolls, though seemingly no longer gens. Immolation requires a warding roll so isn't useful to most non-wizards. However, it CAN be of use to some, including wizards who wish to conserve mana. Why not allow it? I see absolutely no reason.
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Major Spiritual - Three exemptions, Two logical (Living Spell, Spirit Servant)
Mass Interference (217) - A definite oddity to the exempt list, so much so that I believe it may just be my poor luck in never coming across this spell. I can see no reason at all why this spell would be exempt from the scroll generator.
(See Following Post for Part Two)