Goblin Squad Member
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So I was dreaming this morning over coffee as my eyes slowly opened and my voice began to smooth.
If my Druid ever made it to where he could cause a lighting strike, what should that be like? What is the ideal I have for that event?
For me, when I was preparing to cast the spell I should select the spell similarly as I would draw a bow, and when I had proper aim, tension, or focus for its intensity/ferocity I would release it.
While I prepared to cast lightning I imagined the world growing darker, as if a cloud were overhead. When I unleashed the power of lightning, at the same time the bolt struck, the rest of the world became even darker, such that the lightning bolt was all the more impressive. After the briefest moment the sound of the lightning stike would thunder in a great echoing CRACK. The eyes would be as if stunned for a moment until they recovered from the flash.
What spell effects would you like to see and hear for the various great actions we should be able to take?
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Goblin Squad Member
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That would be a dramatic scene for those nearby. Each spell should have some effect on the "victin" (I guess victim isn't the right word, as some dramatic spells are beneficial), and spectators would see something different. Fireballs shot at you would be terrifying, Your eyes are on the ball of flame, but others with a side view would see shadows change angle as the fireball sped towards its target. The impact would light up a large area with a flash of light almost as bright as day.
Heaven forbid you start casting fireball in a cavern chamber (as many inexperienced mages are wont to do). A good DM will be working out where the excess firepower of the blast will escape the cavern and shoot out of every hole. That sort of flash can't be missed by any of the wide-eyed creatues living in the cave used to navigating in the pitch black.
What fun these effects would be!
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Goblin Squad Member
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Effects like a flashbang would be awesome. Screen jitter for a half second followed by blurred graphics for a some time increment depending on distance from the point of impact. Dulled sounds for a few seconds afterwards. Charred ground at the point of impact. Characters involuntarily coughing after inhaling ozone/ash. There are heaps of little things that could be added that would magic seems more tangible and real - not to mention scary.
Imagine the first great battle involving dozens of mages. Us poor little sword wielders are not going to have much fun running through the artillery :)
Also imagine the sounds from over the next hill or the other side of the woods. The constant 'foomp foomp foomp' and flashes of light as lightning strikes hit and fireballs erupt. Awesome times ahead!
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Goblin Squad Member
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I'd certainly like spells to be more toned-down than other mmorpgs, but depending on their frequency of use and their power.
Certainly it would be great to see a small effect for the beginner spells. And for high level something more potent.
The casting animation for potent spells also, I like the idea of winding up for a great release of energy and is in keeping with mental concentration without disturbance being required.
I definitely agree, little side-effect effects add neat touches to such animations with small sparks flying and building towards the crescendo of releasing the, in this case, lightning bolt. Definitely that vibe of distorting the natural order of things when spells go off!