A Self-cast Environment

[Fallen]

NOTE: This was originally posted on the SR forums. I thought I would throw it up here as well.

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I am a firm believer that Gemstone should become fully self-cast. There has already been some spell alteration and mechanics changes towards this eventual goal. However, I believe many more changes are needed before a Self-cast environment is fully realized.

First, and most obviously, all spells should only be able to be cast upon oneself. Spells such as "Dims", "Blues", and "Powerful looks" will all only be available to those with the ability to cast the spell, or invoking the magic from a scroll or device.
The exception to this standard is through lore training. Currently, several spells that are normally self-cast are able to be placed upon others if the caster has sufficient training in the appropriate lore. However, durations are capped, and you cannot simply cast 4 hours of continuous protection.

Mass/Group spells would no longer stay in effect should those that receive the spell leave the group for more than a set amount of time (1-3 minutes). This time buffer would allow those that accidentally fall out of a group to have a chance to rejoin. Only those that stay joined to the caster will continue to receive the defensive benefits from the spell in question.

What would the effects of such a change entail?

First, there would be greatly reduced begging for spells. Four hours of free DS would no longer be readily available, and squares and pures alike would have to be more careful and skilled to uphunt, or when hunting certain creatures.

Second, squares would place more emphasis on training in Arcane Symbols (Scroll Reading), and Magic Item Use. By the time such spells are considered "needed" to hunt, a square should have more than sufficient training to utilize whichever spells are "required" to hunt in a given area. The availability of such items is already common, and with the introduction of Player Owned Shops and Scroll Infusion, these items are certainly not going to be difficult to procure.

Third, group hunting would become even more enticing. Instead of taking all of that easily obtained extra DS for granted, the defense shall be considered as it truly should; a bonus. There is already an EXP enhancer for hunting in groups. With the eventual inclusion of the Guard/Protect and Combat Leadership features, group hunting may become quite popular, but by no means necessary.

[Snapp]

I doubt they'll ever make all spells self-cast, for the pure reason of $$$. Look at all the multiple accounts they have just for the sake of spelling up.

[Parkbandit]

Exactly. It would be nice from a gameplay standpoint, but from a company (financial) standpoint.. it would be the end. I personally have 3 total accounts and would delete 2 of them. I'm sure I'm not the exception.

Looks like you will be harassed for spells and like it Fallen ;)

[StrayRogue]

The game is more designed around a self-cast environment than ever before. In previous years it was very unbalanced where warriors, armed with redux and every spell in the book, would tear up the levels. This was changed, and so was alot of hunting areas to include Spell-Burst. Arcane Symbols and MIU are needed if you wish to wear spells in those areas.

With the inclusion of the EBP system, most squares don't need spells to hunt at all, and I'd take a guess that most squares don't pay for spell-ups as much as they just take the Blurs/Guards/Colours.

[TheEnforcer]

Originally posted by StrayRogue
With the inclusion of the EBP system, most squares don't need spells to hunt at all, and I'd take a guess that most squares don't pay for spell-ups as much as they just take the Blurs/Guards/Colours. You can count me as one of the squares who doesn't get spell-ups too often and sometimes not at all. Making those spells self cast only would affect Simu more than the characters themselves.

[Fallen]

With the inclusion of the EBP system, most squares don't need spells to hunt at all, and I'd take a guess that most squares don't pay for spell-ups as much as they just take the Blurs/Guards/Colours. >>

I would say most high level squares, 70+, use extensive spells. Either through the use of Multiple Accounts, scrolls/Magic devices, or begging.

[StrayRogue]

Originally posted by Fallen
With the inclusion of the EBP system, most squares don't need spells to hunt at all, and I'd take a guess that most squares don't pay for spell-ups as much as they just take the Blurs/Guards/Colours. >>

I would say most high level squares, 70+, use extensive spells. Either through the use of Multiple Accounts, scrolls/Magic devices, or begging.

Then they have to have the appropriate magic skills to compensate then. Whats your problem?

[Jonty]

Originally posted by Fallen
I would say most high level squares, 70+, use extensive spells. Either through the use of Multiple Accounts, scrolls/Magic devices, or begging.

And I would say you're wrong. One, you're not there to see their hutning habbits. Two, they can't have extensives spells because the rift restricts you to your own spell circles, and OTF has spell-burst. A square would need a lot of magic training to wear extensive spells there.... Magic skills are not a priority for my warrior, so I go spell-less. And if a square wastes a bunch of TPs to train for spell-burst, what's the problem?

[Fallen]

Then they have to have the appropriate magic skills to compensate then. Whats your problem? >>

If you read my original post you would see that I do not have one. Personally, I do not consider begging to be a appropriate magic skill, but to each his own.

Shrugs

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Fallen
squares would place more emphasis on training in Arcane Symbols (Scroll Reading), and Magic Item Use.Not all squares.

Also, I'm pretty sure Combat Leadership has been discontinued permanently.

[Fallen]

How is spellburst and wearing your own spell circles effected by being in a group with mass spells, or with a cleric/bard?

[Jonty]

Originally posted by Fallen
How is spellburst and wearing your own spell circles effected by being in a group with mass spells, or with a cleric/bard?

If you don't have enough magic training to wear those mass spells in spell-burst areas, the spells will blow up.... In the rift, if those spells are not in your own spell circles, they will fall. As for bard and cleric group spells, they work as they normally do.

[StrayRogue]

Begging has nothing to do with it. Without appropriate training outside circle spells CANNOT be used.

[Jonty]

Originally posted by Fallen
Then they have to have the appropriate magic skills to compensate then. Whats your problem? >>

If you read my original post you would see that I do not have one. Personally, I do not consider begging to be a appropriate magic skill, but to each his own.

Shrugs

Yes, and if you read the post he responded to, you'll see that you mentioned 70+ squares.... Hence, he's refering to spell-burst....

[StrayRogue]

Heres a clip of spell-burst. Rogue here has only 401, 101, 107, 406 and 601 on, all self-cast except for the colours, which was mass.

You suddenly feel the essence surrounding you shift and writhe chaotically!
The bright luminescence fades from around you.
... 25 points of damage!
A raw, red hole is drilled in your chest by a powerful bolt!
You return to normal color.
The light blue glow leaves you.
The deep blue glow leaves you.
The silvery luminescence fades from around you.


He was already trained in spells, and Arcane Symbols and MIU and still got blasted. Warriors have it even worse, as their costs are even more prohibitive in these three skills.

[Jonty]

611

I'm pretty sure spells known isn't included in the spell-burst formula.

[Drektor]

i only use a statue in OTF