Posted by Humble Explorer on February 13, 2000 at 16:48:35:
Howdy all, H. Ex.
This is a long one so please bear with me. Lately there has been a lot of complaining about the power of liches and how they are unfair. Others point out that only the best characters (role players and survivors) can succeed at becoming a lich and thus it is a reward type class. I agree with this. I like the idea of rewarding the best (role players / hunters) on the mud because they are the ones who make the game exciting. People still talk about Istendil all the time and 90% of the posts here are about Entropy Lich.
What about the other classes? I've only heard of quest forms for transmuters. What about shamans, warriors, etc. I know hero level shamans and druids are about the toughest thing in the game but still can't really match up against a lich. (Am I wrong here?) (As a side note I think it would be great if every class had some type of quest power/skill that immortals could grant to the best players out there. For instance Hero thieves or rangers? Some of the hardest classes to play at hero, yet a few people stick them out for the fun and role play.)
I know that Arch-mages should have the possibility of becoming Uber-powerful, but what of the communers? I think most would agree paladins need a re-vamp so I'll talk about a good shaman. Does a really good player playing a good shaman stand much of a chance against a lich one on one? (I think most people would agree they do not.) I've always thought that this was sort of a slap in the face to the immortals that a "infidel" wizard could summon more power then the highest of their faith. (Not sure what to say to Twist about this though…)
I think that certain, hand-picked, communing classes should be able to go on quests of their Faith with a level of difficulty rivaling the Lich quest. Those who succeed would be granted special supplications/powers by their immortal to increase their power specifically in dealing with the enemies of their faith. Ex. Paladins would gain special abilities against liches and evil communers only, evil shaman would get special abilities against good communers, etc.
This would reward the best players of more classes then just liches. (I for one just can't role play a lich but think I could do a good job with a paladin.) This increases the power of a hand full of the strongest players in the game, but only in a narrow way, and only against the other most powerful characters in the game. Paladins would gain powers against liches and evil communers only, something for instance that wouldn't help them at all against a neutral warrior since they really are not a blood enemy of their faith.
Example for a Good Shaman/Healer, granted extra "quest" powers:
-Lich Zombies would fear to touch or harm them due to their intense aura of goodness.
-Their faith would make them immune to Crimson Scourge and sleep.
-Their ability to turn undead would be enhanced slightly.
K, I've rambled enough feel free to flame away.