Official: Symbol of the Proselyte (340) Released into Test Instance

[Fallen]

Later tonight, I'll be deploying Symbol of the Proselyte (340) to the test instance. (I will post an update to this thread once it is ready.) While there, it is available for testing and feedback. Any bugs and feedback should be posted in this thread. Below is some information regarding the spell to help players know the intended mechanics:

Symbol of the Proselyte (340): Clerics are called upon to convert new followers to their flock and to punish the unrepentant. When cast upon a holy symbol that matches the caster's deity, the wielder of the symbol is able to receive a Spirit CS or bolt AS bonus equal to 5 + the caster's (INF bonus / 2) for the next few warding or bolt spells. It has base duration of 3 casts + 1 additional cast per (Spiritual Lore, Blessings skill / 50). If the target's spell is cast against an opposing alignment of the caster's deity (Bane/Smite) then there is an additional +CS/AS modifier equal to the caster's (WIS bonus / 3). In addition, when the attack is made, instead of adding a d100, it will use 50 + d50 (similar to the Truehand CMAN). To gain the benefit of this effect, the target should CHANT to the symbol, initiating the buff for the next cast (up to 30 seconds). It consumes 2 spirit points to cast this spell upon a symbol.

Notes:
* The spell is castable on others or specifically at objects. When cast at players (or with no target, to specify yourself), it will check the target's hands for the symbol.
* A holy symbol is a predefined object. Clerics and Paladins can generate unlimited number of these symbols at the Zul Logoth shrine. Old symbols (sold from various merchants) will automatically be converted to the new system if it can detect the deity of the symbol. This is usually done by matching the previous descriptions of old symbols or if the deity name is in the description and the object is a "symbol".
* If you have a symbol that does not automatically convert to work with the spell and you think it is a bug, please BUGITEM it. This will provide me with the exact details regarding the object so that I may investigate it fully.
* Clerics and Paladins can APPRAISE a symbol to determine which deity it is set to.
* Once the spell goes live, we'll be running a few merchant services to convert old symbols that could not be automatically converted.
* Holy symbols for this system can only be dedicated to a single deity. If the symbol is scripted and provides different messaging/effects based upon CONVERT status, it will not work (since the deity changes based upon the user's CONVERT status).
* Once a player activates the buff from a symbol, they cannot activate the buff from any other symbol for 10 minutes.
* The symbol must be worn before a player can CHANT to it to activate the buff.

Below is a preview of the spell:

First Person:
>prep 340
You raise your hand while murmuring a soft orison, focusing on the Symbol of the Proselyte spell...
Your spell is ready.
>cast
You gesture.
You rest your hand atop your banded onyx key symbol. The edges of your hand go black, and from the core of the symbol shines a golden light. The effect is not unlike light through a keyhole.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
>
>chant symbol
You chant a reverent orison and lightly clasp your banded onyx key symbol. A rush of divine power washes over you. Your symbol pulses once and you feel the eternal watchfulness of Lorminstra staring through your eyes.
>
>incant 201
You trace a sign while beseeching the spirits to empower you with the Calm spell...
Your spell is ready.
You gesture at a giant rat.
CS: +344 - TD: +3 + CvA: +25 + 50 + d50: +29 == +445
Warding failed!
A calm washes over a giant rat.
The divine power suffusing your actions wanes, leaving you bereft of Lorminstra's aid.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.

Third Person:
Estild gestures.
Estild rests his hand atop his banded onyx key symbol. The edges of his hand go black, and from the core of the symbol shines a golden light. The effect is not unlike light through a keyhole.
>
Estild chants a reverent orison and lightly clasp his banded onyx key symbol. A rush of golden light flows out of his symbol, attaching itself to him like a second skin of infinite points of light.

GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team
*
.

[mrjrd222]

So for most high end clerics it'll be a 6 cast CS boost of about 15 in most cases (although this is a reason to fixstat now for my cleric, who's inf is only 70 at level 91). 8-10 more CS for those casting at the right targets (undead if you have smite).

I... really like this.

I have two characters that hunt together that both follow Koar, I have bought a bunch of Koar trinkets that I have recently taken off because they did nothing. Maybe soon I can bless them and keep them handy for a dangerous creature or when I want to show off.

I wish it added to physical AS and not only bolt AS, but I guess we can't ask for much more then 20-25 extra CS for a few casts.

[Asha]

40 mana though.

[Fallen]

It can be cast while resting when you're not doing anything with the mana.

[mrjrd222]

Did it mention how many (if more then 1) symbols a single cleric can bless at one time?

Can I own like 10 symbols and bless them all and use one every 10 minutes on a hunt?

Can the 2 spirit needed to bless a symbol kill me? Haha.

[Inspire]

I haven't played a cleric in awhile but do they need more CS/AS?

[Fallen]

Spirit Slayer handled that problem, they also have a spell process that gives them a CS boost.

[mrjrd222]

A spell process?

[Fallen]

A spell process?

I'm sure a Cleric could provide more concrete information, but one of their spells has a bonus attributed to it that works sort of like Coup de Grace. After killing a creature with one of their spell, their CS has the potential to gain a boost based off of their Wisdom bonus, I believe. It can be quite sizable if the Cleric is specced for the ability, but I don't think it is viable to have it sustained throughout an entire hunt.

Via the officials on Fervent Reproach (312) - The cleric may also receive a backlash of residual energy that will instill into them an enhanced wisdom (Wisdom Stat bonus) as well as amplified health and mana (maximum Health and maximum Mana bonus). Training in the Spiritual Lore, Blessing (http://www.play.net/gs4/info/skills.asp#spirlore) skill increases the duration of these bonuses. Focusing the power of the spell through prayer increases the chance of this backlash happening, and once the bonus is applied to the cleric, it will not occur again until the effects have faded.

So, Wisdom is their CS stat, thus raising their CS with the bonus. I don't know if that would stack if you already had your WIS stat otherwised enhanced. For non-sorcerers, everyone's CS is bumped up with every point gained to their CS Stat bonus.

[phantasm]

I thought he was going to say 208 and a paladin buddy.

[mrjrd222]

I thought he was going to say 208 and a paladin buddy.

This is a much better way to boost cleric CS then 312.

While I'm not purposefully spec'd for 312's backlash effect, I do have 65 ranks of blessings lore and I can tell you the boost doesn't last very long, and is unfortunately random and not refreshable or stackable with itself. If you happen to get a backlash of +1 wisdom stat bonus (it is stat bonus, not bonus bonus) then you're stuck at 101 wisdom for the next 1-2 minutes without the chance of a new backlash that might add +10 wisdom (This is about the highest I've seen).

Don't get me wrong, it's definitely a CS boost, but most clerics with enough mana to use 312 will be using 317, as it has nearly the same amount of damage and has 2-3 thances to crit, while 312 is pure HP damage, and for full effect needs to be charged for 3-6 seconds of hard roundtime.

I just hope critter TD's don't get boosted after level 40 because we're expected to keep a trinket blessed...

[Fallen]

I doubt critter TDs will be adjusted. These new CS boosters like 312 and 340 aren't sustainable to the point where it is expected for the Cleric to use them every cast.

[Stry]

Did some testing on this last night (ended up getting only 5 hours of sleep. Oops)

It will be a very nice addition, you can charge the symbol while you rest, so that costs you nothing.

- CHANT SYMBOL during the hunt takes No RT and you can pretty much script it as an OS button for an extra CS or Bolt AS boost.

- The CS and AS bonus applies to all spells, and is higher depending on if you are Smite/Bane attuned and if your target is Undead/Living. (So a smite cleric gets a higher bonus when casting against undead.)

- It does however only last 1 cast. If they dodge/block your bolt, you're SOL for that charge and have to CHANT SYMBOL again if you want the bonus, using another charge.

- It also didn't work with 319. Update: This was said to be unintentional and will be fixed.

- You CAN recharge your symbol, but it costs 40 mana and 2 spirit.

- If you stockpile a few symbols, you can only use 1 different symbol per 10 minutes. This is the cool down mentioned.




Things I didn't think to test(or couldn't):
-Spirit Slayer+340 ?
-Passing the symbol to a paladin to use for a CS boost.
-blessing more than 1 symbol

[mrjrd222]

Ok so 1 use per 10 minutes, so even having multiple symbols you couldn't get the boost for a reasonable amount of time.

Does it work for 316? Is the boost there for only the first target or all targets trying to be censured?

[Gelston]

It might be worth it for 135 if it did every one of them, I doubt this is the case.

[dott]

Ok so 1 use per 10 minutes, so even having multiple symbols you couldn't get the boost for a reasonable amount of time.

Does it work for 316? Is the boost there for only the first target or all targets trying to be censured?

It's not one use per 10 minutes, it's one symbol per 10 minutes. Each symbol can have a certain number of charges as listed.

That's just to prevent stocking up on loaded symbols and using them all in a hunt, I'd bet.

-mark

[mrjrd222]

Did some testing on this last night (ended up getting only 5 hours of sleep. Oops)

- It does however only last 1 cast. If they dodge/block your bolt, you're SOL for 10 minutes.


It's not one use per 10 minutes, it's one symbol per 10 minutes. Each symbol can have a certain number of charges as listed.

That's just to prevent stocking up on loaded symbols and using them all in a hunt, I'd bet.

-mark

I'll trust the guy that did testing in this case.

[Herachio]

I'll trust the guy that did testing in this case.

I'm not certain, but if it's the same person who posted on the officials that they did some testing they also said that the 10 minute cool-down was not in effect on the test server. This, is most likely because they mis-understood the statement about the cool-down as it only applies to using another symbol within 10 minutes. You should be able to use all the charges from 1 symbol back to back if you choose to. From what I remember about the original spell description provided and Estild's recap.

The cool-down is there so you can't just spam symbol after symbol after symbol if your carrying around 50 already charged.

[Herachio]

I sure hope enhanced INF works for the bonus.

Normal (Bonus) ... Enhanced (Bonus)

Influence (INF): 90 (25) ... 130 (45)

By the way, can someone who has access test to see if enhancives work with it and also does it work with 240?

[Stry]

I'll trust the guy that did testing in this case.

Well, it seems I misunderstood regarding the 10 minute cool down.

It is regarding 10 minutes per symbol.

So - once you use 1 charge from 1 symbol, you cannot use another symbol for 10 minutes.

You CAN however use all your 3+ charges in your current symbol one after another. GM-Estild clarified this for me on the officials. Sorry for the confusion. That part seems to be working and makes this spell pretty damn awesome.

On a positive note, they fixed the bug I found. AND they plan to update it to work with 319, which will be epic.

Edit: I updated my OP with the corrected info. Sorry.

[Fallen]

SWELLMAN1 - The symbol does not grant the CS or AS bonus on the final charge held in the symbol, but you do get the +50 +50d roll, on the final charge.

Fixed.

SWELLMAN2 - The bonus doesn't get applied to 319.

This isn't intentionally. Due to how Divine Wrath (319) is setup, it'll require an update to account for this spell.

SWELLMAN3 - The 10 minute cool down was not in effect in the test instance.

I think you're misunderstanding the 10 minute cooldown. The cooldown only applies to activating the buff from different symbols. Specifically, you can use all the charges from a single symbol in any amount of time. You can also cast 340 at any number of symbols in any amount of time. However, once a symbol is out of charges, you can't just get out another symbol to use. You can recast the spell at the original symbol (thus costing 40 mana and 2 spirit during a hunt) if you really wanted to though.

SWELLMANSuggestions after using it?1- Make it so that each CHANT lasts for several casts, rather than just one. Base of 1 cast, chance for more based off of lore, perhaps religion.Or - Have it last a flat 30 seconds per CHANT.2- Change the cool down from 10min per CHANT to 10min per Cast of 340.

We're unlikely to implement the first idea, as the spell is not intended as a persistent effect. It's a quick boost for a single attack when you need it, similar to Spirit Strike (117). As for your second idea, see my above paragraph about the cooldown.

UNICORN3Does this mean a cleric can cast at an infinite number of symbols in advance and have them stored up for future use?

You can, but anytime you CHANT symbol to activate the buff, you're attuned to that particular symbol for 10 minutes and cannot activate the buff from another symbol during that time.

UNICORN3Do influence enhancives count for the purpose of raising the bonus?

Yes.

Also, negative stat bonuses won't allow the base mod to go below 5 and the alignment mod to go below 0. (No negative CS/AS for using the spell).

GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team

.

[Fallen]

UNICORN3This is pretty cool. Can you cast at the original symbol to refresh it if part of the charges have been used, but not all?Does INF bonus/2 round up or truncate?

You can refresh the number of charges (and combat modifiers) by casting again at the symbol at anytime.

It truncates for the combat modifiers.

GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team


And



UNICORN3Does this mean that if the caster is Bane aligned, the target will get a boost to casts against the undead?Do wisdom enhancives count for this additional boost?

It means if the casting Cleric is Bane aligned, the symbol wielder will get a bonus when casting against the living. Yes, wisdom enhancives will boost the alignment bonus.

GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team

[mrjrd222]

Awesome.

[Ragepriest]

::wipes himself::

Prepare to start seeing symbols disappearing off store shelves. Stock up now!

[Ragepriest]

Does anyone know what the GO-LIVE date is? i.e. when it will be fully available for all?

[Fallen]

Hah no.

[Stry]

Heh, that's cute.

[Stry]

Had a few people ask, so I'll try to get in and test how this works with 240 tonight. I should have another post here before I head out on vacation this weekend.

Edit: Got way busy with CHE stuff last night. Will try to find time tonight.

[Stry]

Lvl 40 cleric with crappy stats:
Strength (STR): 83 (16) ... 83 (16)
Constitution (CON): 67 (8) ... 67 (8)
Dexterity (DEX): 60 (10) ... 60 (10)
Agility (AGI): 64 (17) ... 64 (17)
Discipline (DIS): 76 (8) ... 76 (8)
Aura (AUR): 96 (23) ... 96 (23)
Logic (LOG): 78 (14) ... 78 (14)
Intuition (INT): 100 (25) ... 100 (25)
Wisdom (WIS): 100 (25) ... 100 (25)
Influence (INF): 69 (14) ... 69 (14)

Regular 302, With 240:

You channel at a skeletal lord.
A scintillating, blue-white aura encompasses a skeletal lord.
CS: +209 - TD: +123 + CvA: +1 + d100: +61 == +148
Warding failed!
A cascade of blue-white energy waves buffets a skeletal lord.
The skeletal lord is hit for 33 points of damage!
... 25 points of damage!
Glaring burst to the skeletal lord's chest dances across skin leaving smoking holes!
The skeletal lord is stunned!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.

Abruptly, you sense the attention of your spirit slayer focus upon a skeletal lord. The pattern of your spell is wrested away from you as the mote of white light flares with blinding brilliance.

A scintillating, blue-white aura encompasses a skeletal lord.
CS: +239 - TD: +123 + CvA: +1 + d100: +53 == +170
Warding failed!
Multiple rays of blue-white energy ignite several patches of a skeletal lord's calcified bones in a blaze of energy.
The skeletal lord is hit for 45 points of damage!
... 15 points of damage!
R>
The mote of white light next to you disappears.


302 + 240 + 340

>chant symb
You chant a reverent orison and lightly clasp your crown symbol. A rush of divine power washes over you. Your symbol pulses once and you feel the might of Koar overtake you.


You chant a reverent litany, clasping your hands while focusing upon the Smite spell...
Your spell is ready.
You channel at a skeletal lord.
A scintillating, blue-white aura encompasses a skeletal lord.
CS: +229 - TD: +123 + CvA: +1 + 50 + d50: +17 == +174
Warding failed!
Multiple rays of blue-white energy ignite several patches of a skeletal lord's calcified bones in a blaze of energy.
The skeletal lord is hit for 45 points of damage!
... 25 points of damage!
Skin roasted away from back exposing the skeletal lord's spinal column!
The skeletal lord is stunned!
The divine power suffusing your actions wanes, leaving you bereft of Koar's aid.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.

Abruptly, you sense the attention of your spirit slayer focus upon a skeletal lord. The pattern of your spell is wrested away from you as the mote of white light flares with blinding brilliance.

A scintillating, blue-white aura encompasses a skeletal lord.
CS: +239 - TD: +123 + CvA: +1 + d100: +15 == +132
Warding failed!
A cascade of blue-white energy waves buffets a skeletal lord.
The skeletal lord is hit for 32 points of damage!
... 10 points of damage!
Powerful burst to the skeletal lord's back causes excruciating pain.

Bolt AS:

306 +240


You gesture at a skeletal lord.
You hurl a stream of holy water at a skeletal lord!
AS: +258 vs DS: +169 with AvD: +37 + d100 roll: +3 = +129
... and hit for 19 points of damage!
Acid gets on the right arm raising some large blisters.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.

Abruptly, you sense the attention of your spirit slayer focus upon a skeletal lord. The pattern of your spell is wrested away from you as the mote of white light flares with blinding brilliance.

Your spirit slayer hurls a stream of holy water at a skeletal lord!
AS: +288 vs DS: +169 with AvD: +37 + d100 roll: +81 = +237
... and hit for 95 points of damage!
Acid strikes the arm leaving nothing but a puddle of melted flesh!
The lord's splintered lance falls to the ground.
You hear a sound like a weeping child as a white glow separates itself from the skeletal lord's body as it rises, disappearing into the heavens.
The skeletal lord falls to the ground motionless.

306 + 240 +340

chant symb
You chant a reverent orison and lightly clasp your crown symbol. A rush of divine power washes over you. Your symbol pulses once and you feel the might of Koar overtake you.
>cast lord
You gesture at a skeletal lord.
You hurl a stream of holy water at a skeletal lord!
AS: +278 vs DS: +174 with AvD: +37 + 50 + d50 roll: +3 = +194
... and hit for 53 points of damage!
Burn to the elbow eats through tendons. Muscles snap free!
The divine power suffusing your actions wanes, leaving you bereft of Koar's aid.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.

Abruptly, you sense the attention of your spirit slayer focus upon a skeletal lord. The pattern of your spell is wrested away from you as the mote of white light flares with blinding brilliance.

Your spirit slayer hurls a stream of holy water at a skeletal lord!
AS: +288 vs DS: +174 with AvD: +37 + d100 roll: +17 = +168
... and hit for 37 points of damage!
Hit on the arm chars the skin and eats into the underlying muscles!
The lord's splintered lance falls to the ground.
>
The mote of white light next to you disappears.


Conclusion: 340 does not currently work with 240 - Spirit Slayer.

With this clerics stats you get:
+20 AS or CS boost against undead. + the 50 +50d rolls
+12 AS or CS bonus against living. + the 50 +50d rolls

[Stry]

Also, my cleric is Koar/Smite Aligned

So the bonus is higher against undead.

This is 302 + 340 against living targets:

Regular 302:

You channel at a forest troll.
A scintillating, blue-white aura encompasses a forest troll.
CS: +209 - TD: +57 + CvA: +19 + d100: +20 == +191
Warding failed!
Large wisps of blue-white energy lash out at a forest troll, cauterizing the impact marks on the skin in an instant.
The forest troll is hit for 22 points of damage!
... 30 points of damage!
Insignificant burns to the forest troll's neck.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.

302 +340

>chant symb
You chant a reverent orison and lightly clasp your crown symbol. A rush of divine power washes over you. Your symbol pulses once and you feel the might of Koar overtake you.


You channel at a forest troll.
A scintillating, blue-white aura encompasses a forest troll.
CS: +221 - TD: +57 + CvA: +19 + 50 + d50: +50 == +283
Warding failed!
A massive beam of blue-white energy engulfs a forest troll in a luminous column of light!
The forest troll is hit for 22 points of damage!
... 25 points of damage!
Plasma scalds the forest troll's stomach leaving painful red streaks.
The divine power suffusing your actions wanes, leaving you bereft of Koar's aid.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.
Roundtime: 3 sec.

[Herachio]

Conclusion:[/B] 340 does not currently work with 240 - Spirit Slayer.


Thanks for testing Stry, that's a bummer.

[Ragepriest]

Any word yet on when this goes live?