During my ‘abilities workshop’ https://www.pantheonmmo.com/content/forums/topic/4121/ability-workshop post I showcased an idea of ability synergies and multi-layered abilities which help tanks (and other classes) make meaningful choices. I want in this thread to get a response from developers about these types of abilities and if we will see them in Pantheon.
What do you mean Todd? What is a multi-layered wiggidashig?
I’ll give an example of a simple multi-layered ability and abilities with synergies.
Non Multi-layered
Multi-layered
And here is an example of an ability which is Multi-layered and another ability which carries ability synergy.
So what is it going to be then? Pantheon is a ‘new’ game but it takes ‘lessons learned’ from the past and present to bring together a great product. Are multi-layered abilities and ability synergies going to be considered for the game? Or are they going to be treated as a negative feature seen in games these days and avoided?
I can see a trend happening right now where abilities are simplified, and there are many simplified abilities. Then what ends up happening is what makes your character unique is which of these simplified abilities you have active on your spell-bar.
So community, devs.
What will it be? What do you prefer?
A) Simple abilities
B) Simple and Multi-layered & Synergistic abilities
or
C) Turtles everywhere.
-Todd
From the FAQ:
Will there be a limitation to the number of abilities we can use at a given time?
You may be limited to a subset of your abilities for the next encounter, causing you to have to intelligently plan ahead and memorize the spells most effective against the upcoming enemy. Likewise, you'll want to memorize spells that counter the upcoming mob’s abilities. Lastly, you may have some abilities that work synergistically with others in your group. But the key point here is that these tactical decisions can be made right before the actual encounter. Then, say you move on deeper into the dungeon and are about to confront a different boss, with different abilities and a different disposition, it may make tactical sense to prep different abilities. So yes, you are limited to that extent (you cannot simply use any of your 80+ abilities whenever you wish) because planning for the battle ahead and doing so effectively is key to Pantheon. The exact number of spells, abilities, feats and actions one can prep is TBD and won’t likely be finalized until Beta (what’s depicted in screenshots showing the UI is not final).
More importantly, the Living Codex:
Pantheon's Living Codex allows you to customize your Transcendent Abilities
This extraordinary book will serve as the complete compendium for your Class' special abilities. The first section of the Codex, labeled "Essential", will contain the host of standard abilities that characters can naturally train throughout their lifetime. However, in Pantheon, many of the most powerful and exotic abilities can only be found out in the wilds of Terminus: from heavily guarded treasure vaults, dangerous enemies and unimaginable locations -- these most powerful abilities are written on legendary parchments known as Prime Scrolls. The second section of the Codex, labeled "Transcendent", is built for the scribing and intensifying of these powerful Prime Scroll abilities.
Once scribed, players will be able to memorize a total of 10 abilities, mixing both Essential and Transcendent abilities as desired. Once memorized, players will be able to place these abilities on their Ability Bar, giving them full access to their use.
The accompanying image shows the Transcendent section of the Living Codex, where Prime Scroll abilities will be scribed. The Prime Scroll will only fill the top portion of each page; underneath, there will be 3 empty sections that the player can mark with special items which will further enhance the primary ability. These 3 sections are detailed below:
1) Seal of Amplification
Amplifies the bonus modifiers from Mana Climates that affect the Primary Scroll’s mana color. More powerful seals will increase the bonuses. (More on Mana Climates in an upcoming newsletter)
2) Brand of Resilience
Lessens the negative modifiers from Mana Climates that affect the Primary Scroll’s mana color. More powerful brands will decrease the penalties. (More on Mana Climates in an upcoming newsletter)
3) Signet of Synergy
Applying a Signet of Synergy to an ability will unlock different class-specific synergy effects that can be used in combination with synergy effects from other classes, sometimes to awesome effect. However, the Primary Scroll ability must be capable of synergy effects, not all will be.
I think that pretty much explains it.
Beefcake said:From the FAQ:
Will there be a limitation to the number of abilities we can use at a given time?
You may be limited to a subset of your abilities for the next encounter, causing you to have to intelligently plan ahead and memorize the spells most effective against the upcoming enemy. Likewise, you'll want to memorize spells that counter the upcoming mob’s abilities. Lastly, you may have some abilities that work synergistically with others in your group. But the key point here is that these tactical decisions can be made right before the actual encounter. Then, say you move on deeper into the dungeon and are about to confront a different boss, with different abilities and a different disposition, it may make tactical sense to prep different abilities. So yes, you are limited to that extent (you cannot simply use any of your 80+ abilities whenever you wish) because planning for the battle ahead and doing so effectively is key to Pantheon. The exact number of spells, abilities, feats and actions one can prep is TBD and won’t likely be finalized until Beta (what’s depicted in screenshots showing the UI is not final).More importantly, the Living Codex:
Pantheon's Living Codex allows you to customize your Transcendent Abilities
This extraordinary book will serve as the complete compendium for your Class' special abilities. The first section of the Codex, labeled "Essential", will contain the host of standard abilities that characters can naturally train throughout their lifetime. However, in Pantheon, many of the most powerful and exotic abilities can only be found out in the wilds of Terminus: from heavily guarded treasure vaults, dangerous enemies and unimaginable locations -- these most powerful abilities are written on legendary parchments known as Prime Scrolls. The second section of the Codex, labeled "Transcendent", is built for the scribing and intensifying of these powerful Prime Scroll abilities.
Once scribed, players will be able to memorize a total of 10 abilities, mixing both Essential and Transcendent abilities as desired. Once memorized, players will be able to place these abilities on their Ability Bar, giving them full access to their use.
The accompanying image shows the Transcendent section of the Living Codex, where Prime Scroll abilities will be scribed. The Prime Scroll will only fill the top portion of each page; underneath, there will be 3 empty sections that the player can mark with special items which will further enhance the primary ability. These 3 sections are detailed below:
1) Seal of Amplification
Amplifies the bonus modifiers from Mana Climates that affect the Primary Scroll’s mana color. More powerful seals will increase the bonuses. (More on Mana Climates in an upcoming newsletter)
2) Brand of Resilience
Lessens the negative modifiers from Mana Climates that affect the Primary Scroll’s mana color. More powerful brands will decrease the penalties. (More on Mana Climates in an upcoming newsletter)
3) Signet of Synergy
Applying a Signet of Synergy to an ability will unlock different class-specific synergy effects that can be used in combination with synergy effects from other classes, sometimes to awesome effect. However, the Primary Scroll ability must be capable of synergy effects, not all will be.
I think that pretty much explains it.
Thanks Beefcake :)
As Beefcake has kindly pointed out, these questions have already been addressed and are readily available on this website by following the links below at the bottom of the page, for that reason I will go ahead and close this thread, I encourage everyone to take the time and read through those links as they have a lot of good information that you may not be aware of. :)