Posted by Kastellyn on July 18, 2000 at 12:32:10:

In Reply to: Is there a way for a Defender to protect himself from an area spell? nt posted by Newbie Rager on July 18, 2000 at 10:17:45:

Ok, noone asked, but here goes...

Berserkers, while the most popular of the three paths, also have the most drawbacks when their powers are used. Of the three, these guys are the only ones who have the capability to bring death down upon themselves (if used at the wrong time, or exploited properly by one's enemies). From a purely game mechanics point of view, the number of classes that (in my opinion) benefit the most from their powers are limited to warriors, assassins and a few thieves.

The power of the scout is vastly underestimated. Of the three paths, I believe scouts to be the most difficult to kill. That makes sense, as their function is to scout out the enemy, remain undetected, and live to talk about it. More classes benefit from the scout powers than the berserker classes; in my mind, bards, assassins, thieves and rangers make great scouts (all for different reasons). I was a scout, so I know from whence I speak. A bit more detail? Spell evasion is, without a doubt, one of the most underrated Battlerager powers. Critical hit is extremely powerful, especially when used in a raid situation (i.e. when your enemies are the most difficult to damage). I've seen deathblows wound an enemy. Can't say the same for critical hit! Discern spell is the most situationally dependent of the powers, but for a bard, thief or assassin, extremely useful in deciding how to initiate combat on a sleeping (blackjacked/strangled) Master.

Defenders get a bad rap, but they can be played extremely effectively by any of the five classes, so they are the most versatile. Their powers are the most far ranging and useful for keeping others (not always yourself, though) alive. You have to have a different mindset from the typical barbarian to play a defender, which just opens wide the doors for unique and effective roleplaying. Did I say scouts are the most difficult to kill? Maybe I should amend that with a nice Defender assassin...scary!

I agree that a village of barbarians should have more berserkers than the other two. That's sort of what barbarians do. But I also strongly agree with Thror that the benefits and skills, advantages and disadvantages of the other two paths are not fully understood by everyone. Let me be the first to whine about it here: "Scouts and Defenders are overpowered! Imms, what were you thinking!?!?"

;P

Follow Ups:

• Re: My thoughts (even though noone asked for them...) Magtograme 13:43:07 7/18/2000 (7)
  • Double block should be removed, to me it's the skill embodiment of gang-bang promotion. nt Imbrogno 14:26:52 7/18/2000 (6)
    • Here's an idea for a replacement even... Imbrogno 14:29:15 7/18/2000 (5)
      • I like that.... some more ideas along the same line Magtograme 14:41:07 7/18/2000 (4)
        • You could give them some sort of altruism-like skill, or the ability to jump in front of a spell's attack and thus absorb its blow. I don't know if I'd want to jump in front of cone of cold as a fire giant though...shiver. nt Imbrogno 14:47:19 7/18/2000 (3)
          • That's a nifty idea. Warrior 16:31:36 7/18/2000 (0)
          • hell no... I got unspeaked thru resist by that....., but I would have loved a defender to jump in front :) (nt) Magtograme 14:51:46 7/18/2000 (1)
            • You'd obviously have to give them some kind of uber-resist, a defender could only take so much. nt Imbrogno 14:59:27 7/18/2000 (0)

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