Slightly off topic, but we created a joke build in pathfinder that involved grappling an opponent and forcing them to inhale a cocktail of several doses of inhalable drugs. The severe stat damage, with no save mind you, would then make them almost comatose and leave us able to do as we pleased. We were going to theorize more effective methods of delivery, but we decided it was too op.
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Slightly off topic, but we created a joke build in pathfinder that involved grappling an opponent and forcing them to inhale a cocktail of several doses of inhalable drugs. The severe stat damage, with no save mind you, would then make them almost comatose and leave us able to do as we pleased. We were going to theorize more effective methods of delivery, but we decided it was too op.
Not to mention just a little bit awkward. Not sure how to feel about all that "do as we please" business....
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So, I'm not walking away from the idea of playing with fatigue and exhaustion, but what do you guys think of this suggestion from the GitP forums?
"I think, rather than Lust, you should go for something like Avarice. This would be the one more focused on Feint and Steal (which was in the previous version of the document), and could still use the Spellstealing enchantment idea. Also happens to encompass a much different aspect of Desire, since Love and Lust can overlap in some cases."
Sorry, the intent was to steal, loot, clean up, alter documents, ect then set it up to look like they just got really drunk/high. If authorities check it out, since the drugged person could just not think anything odd happened if the scene was set a certain way, there would be no traces of magic and any alterations we've made to the scene of the crime would be incredibly difficult to discover by investigator.
Anyway, the drug rules that were printed allows players to quickly and cheaply create significantly more effective+cheaper poisons than the poisons that are available, especially since they have steeper stat damage with no save.
This is only tangental to the Daevic, but if a player has class features that involve drugs the player may discover just how useful they are as poisons and some unintended game play consequences may occur, such as discussions of balloons full of inhalable drug powder being lobbed into rooms in an attempt to severely stat damage those inside with no save.
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This is only tangental to the Daevic, but if a player has class features that involve drugs the player may discover just how useful they are as poisons and some unintended game play consequences may occur, such as discussions of balloons full of inhalable drug powder being lobbed into rooms in an attempt to severely stat damage those inside with no save.
I'm picturing drug dealers lobbing aerosol dispensers full of heroin into a bank and then strolling through to collect the cash from nonsensical tellers.
Now to decide if I want to be responsible for triggering a new war on drugs in Golarion...
So, I'm not walking away from the idea of playing with fatigue and exhaustion, but what do you guys think of this suggestion from the GitP forums?
"I think, rather than Lust, you should go for something like Avarice. This would be the one more focused on Feint and Steal (which was in the previous version of the document), and could still use the Spellstealing enchantment idea. Also happens to encompass a much different aspect of Desire, since Love and Lust can overlap in some cases."
What do I think? I think you should do both. I think Avarice should actually be an archetype for Desire, similar to the Cutthroat archetype of the Soulknife. Basically, the "rogue archetype."
Would such a War on drugs have Andoran at the forefront?
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What do I think? I think you should do both. I think Avarice should actually be an archetype for Desire, similar to the Cutthroat archetype of the Soulknife. Basically, the "rogue archetype."So, I'm not walking away from the idea of playing with fatigue and exhaustion, but what do you guys think of this suggestion from the GitP forums?
"I think, rather than Lust, you should go for something like Avarice. This would be the one more focused on Feint and Steal (which was in the previous version of the document), and could still use the Spellstealing enchantment idea. Also happens to encompass a much different aspect of Desire, since Love and Lust can overlap in some cases."
The other option is that I decide which one I like best and the other one goes into the folder marked "Akashic Mysteries: Lords of Essence" as additional supplemental material.
Speaking of which.....
Here's a little snippet from the Pharaoh's class abilities:
Alignment: Any
Hit die: d12
Class Skills:The pharaoh’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are: Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (history) (Int), Knowledge (martial) (Int), Knowledge (nobility) (Int), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Swim (Str).
Skill Ranks Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Proficiencies: Pharaohs are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and with light armor and bucklers.
Deific Stamina: The pharaoh’s body is fortified with potent akashic energy, allowing him to shrug off injuries that might cripple a lesser man. Beginning at 1st level, the pharaoh starts each day with temporary hit points equal to twice his current Essence pool. Once expended these temporary hit points replenish slowly over time; the pharaoh restores a number of temporary hit points each hour equal to his current Essence pool.
If the pharaoh’s Essence pool is lowered by any effect, such as taking Essence burn to power an ability, he immediately loses 2 temporary hit points per point of Essence lost and cannot regain these temporary hit points until he first recovers the lost Essence.
Unbroken Flesh: As the pharaoh’s power grows, the akashic energy thrumming in his veins fortifies is body against injury even farther, making his skin as strong and unyielding as sculpted marble. Starting at 4th level the pharaoh gains 1 point of natural armor for every 3 points of Essence in his Essence pool.
Any effect that lowers his Essence pool lowers this natural armor bonus accordingly.
Indomitable Spirit: The pharaoh’s overflowing power now not only fortifies his body, but his mind as well. Starting at 8th level the pharaoh gains a +1 bonus to Will saves for every 4 points of Essence in his Essence pool. Any effect that lowers his Essence pool lowers this bonus accordingly.
Elemental Intransigence: A god fears not the tools of creation, whether it be the howling wind or the earth’s fiery blood. From 12th level on the pharaoh gains 1 point of resistance to fire, cold, electricity, and acid for every two points of Essence in his Essence pool. Any effect that lowers his Essence pool lowers this resistance accordingly.
Nascent Immortality: The deific spark that has smoldered in the pharaoh’s breast now burns with an unquenchable flame. When an attack reduces the pharaoh to 0 hit points or fewer, he may, as an immediate action, take an amount of Essence burn up to his current available Essence pool and heal 5 hit points for each point of Essence burn taken. The pharaoh may activate this ability even if the damage which triggered it would normally be enough to kill him.
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I have taken an immediate liking to this class. The Pharoah looks very tough in every sense of the word.
As for your solution to the Desire problem, that sounds reasonable. For some reason I didn't expect the second Akashic book to expand the classes from the first. That was silly of me!
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I have taken an immediate liking to this class. The Pharoah looks very tough in every sense of the word.
As for your solution to the Desire problem, that sounds reasonable. For some reason I didn't expect the second Akashic book to expand the classes from the first. That was silly of me!
The idea behind the Pharaoh (our first akashic/martial initiator cross-over) is that I want him to play like a living god who expends portions of his divinity to perform his more "divine" acts. I want it to make sense to the player that his character is part of a tradition of powerful men and women who convinced entire nations of their divinity, while simultaneously tying in the idea that their power stems from a finite source. Instead of readying and expending maneuvers, the Pharaoh takes Essence burn to to activate them, so every time he hurls a lance of akashic energy to disrupt an enemies spell, or hurtles forward to bull rush an entire enemy formation with a chariot of akashic fire, his defensive abilities (natural armor, resistances, etc.) suffer a corresponding decrease, to the point that if you overspend your Essence to annihilate a battlefield, you're going to be a very average guy in a leather vest with a javelin and khopesh praying that you're not caught with your divine pants around your very normal ankles.
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I want this class so bad.
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Here's a little snippet from the Pharaoh's class abilities
This sounds very, very interesting. I'd love to playtest that.
And the character background ideas keep popping up.
I'm dieing to see both these books published!
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Any chance you'd be willing to let us have access to the pharoh early on? For beta testing of course, and not just because I'm an impatient person.
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Any chance you'd be willing to let us have access to the pharoh early on? For beta testing of course, and not just because I'm an impatient person.
I'll make you a deal; if I get one piece of new feedback on each of the current open playtest items (Guru, Daevic, Archetypes, Races) from at least 5 individuals in this thread, I'll put the Pharaoh out for public alpha as soon as the Empty Pyramid discipline is reviewed by Chris
I'll make you a deal; if I get one piece of new feedback on each of the current open playtest items (Guru, Daevic, Archetypes, Races) from at least 5 individuals in this thread, I'll put the Pharaoh out for public alpha as soon as the Empty Pyramid discipline is reviewed by Chris
Deal.
Update coming this evening guys, including the long awaited revised Desire Passion for the Daevic! Since I know you all probably can't wait to get your hands on it until I have a chance to post it up tonight, here's a little sneak preview:
Desire Passion:Desire: Daevas of Desire seek out servants whose lust for physical pleasures burns within them with an all-consuming ferocity. Wild hedonists, passionate lovers, men and women who make their living or spend their gold in houses of ill repute, even drug addicts and gluttons have all been known to attract the attention of daevas of this Passion. A Daevic who selects this Passion is almost never of Lawful alignment as their driving needs usually consume any consideration they might have for rules or codes.
Lust: Daevics who follow the path of lust often lack the commitment necessary to form a long term bond with a sentient being, but this makes them no less possessive of what they consider theirs. At 6th level the daevic may spend a standard action to grant either his wielded weapon the Called weapon enhancement, or his worn armor the Adhesive enhancement. At 11th level he may grant both of these abilities simultaneously, and at 16th level he may add the Spellstealing ability to his wielded weapon and the Improved Shadow ability to his armor in addition to the standard enhancements. The daevic may use this ability a number of times per day equal to his Charisma bonus (minimum 1), and its effects last for 1 hour per class level. The daevic may not have more than 1 instance of this ability active at a time, and the enhancements fade from the weapon and armor if they leave his possession for more than 1 minute.
I'm inclined to agree with Adam B. 135, the majority of the abilities there for "lust" don't really mesh well with each other. You should definitely go with splitting it into two: Lust and Avarice. If you're scrambling for ideas/inspiration for Avarice themed abilities I highly suggest you go take a look at Larfleeze from DC Comic's Green Lantern. Spellstealing effect fits right in for Avarice as does the Covetous Aura that Adam B. 135 tossed in further up.
And more for amusement than truly fitting in, but having the Avaric deavic being able to summon a Mad Monkeys effect composed of essence taking on the forms of his/her past victims amuses me to no end.
You got it boss, here comes some of my feedback. Bare in mind I'm not a master with math and aside from the daevic and vizier I haven't managed to try out many of these, so my feedback will be sparse at best.
The Guru
Baring in mind I haven't played this yet, but I have only good things to say about this class. I love the flavor, I think their veil-list is spot on for them, and the different Philosophies give this class a lot of replay potential. I only hope we will see even more Philosophies in the future as more options are never an issue (not one word from anyone on rules bloat, it's something I think too many people fear instead of handling in a mature way). Gentle Touch also seems weird now that the class is no longer barred from dealing lethal damage, however its mechanics are fine and an interesting talent few classes have.
The Vizier
Let me start this by saying that i really do like this class. IT does fill the niche of a akashic wizard very well and I like is class features a lot. I just have an issue with its veil-list.
Let me explain- I think the veil-list in it self is fine in many respects in giving the vizier access to a lot of the talents other 'wizards' need: specifically buffing/debuff, defense, skills, and divination. However the problem I have is with the viziers offensive power (damage), something I feel is lacking. Once upon a time the beta vizier had a medium BAB and d8 for HP, so making up a lack of attacking veils could be done with old fashioned combat. However that's not a great option anymore.
Now I am not saying the vizier completely lacks offensive veils however doesn't have many in the grand-scheme of things, especially ones that don't require binding to a chakra first; off the top of my head I can think of four that deal damage without being bound: horns of the minotaur, riven darts, storm gauntlets, and choker/gorget of the wyrm (two of those are melee options as well, something that just sets the vizier up for a world of pain). I know a few more add damage after bound but still this feels low to me. I mean I know the real strength of 'wizards' (sorcerers, psions, actual wizards) lies in utility and shutting enemies down but I can build a wizard who only prepares spells that kill things with elemental blasts or a psion who tears you apart with their mind; I can build a blaster with other 'wizard' classes but I don't feel like I can with the vizier.
But then this is just me and I bet many people are going to disagree with me. That's fine, I am just saying I'd love more veils that offer damage potential, especially without having to get face to face with an orc at level one to do so.
The Daevic
Love it as it is. I was a little skeptical about the changes to Passions at first but they've grown on me. Like the guru my only real 'issue' comes in the fact that I'd like more options; heck in my own games I am working on homebrew passions for Agony and Mirth.
Akashic Races
I admit, I wasn't sure how to feel about the races at first because they all seemed to be anthropomorphic versions of animals you'd see on the Silk Road; however I've come to see that as a good thing more than a negative. I really like the gamel because it's something I haven't seen done before, and I look forward to what other creatures are talented in the use of akashic magic. I heard someone mention yetis but I'm not sure if that's true or not (but I hope it is). The akashic races are definitely a lot more interesting than there MoI counterparts; move over ducklings, a camel just took your place.
Akashic Archetypes
I have no problem with these archetypes but I grudgingly also admit none of them seem like one I'd ever play beyond the akashic warrior. They're not bad, they just don't really jump out at me and some seem to be particular complicated to play with their unusual essence mechanics.
Akashic Mysteries Beta
As a hole I love what you've done so far Ssalarn with akashic options. I think it's a great evolution of incarnem. The vizier's veil-list is my only problem I have at the moment but it's a minor one overall, and one I have dealt with by making custom veils and waiting for more to be made by others. Good job so far, can't wait for the release.
Oh, also one last issue (though very minor): no update to the totemist? I get that Akashic Mysteries is going to be its own hing but it is the spiritual successor to MoI, which is best known for its totemist class, and for good reason. Just as a concept the totemist is an amazing idea; a class that can equip monster abilities like gear? Sign me up! I no it's too late to include a revamp of this class in Akashic Mysteries but maybe you can fit it (or the psionic flowshaper) in the second book or maybe a third one down the road.
Akashic Mysteries: Primal Instinct?
Mic-drop
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Updates posted guys, including preliminary Desire Passion for the Daevic (I haven't had time to update the Lust entry yet, but just be aware that that will be changing) and two new Daevic veils, Heartsblood Caress and Lover's Tread. We had some minor adjustments made to the Dark Lord's Ring of Essence Binding, and the Chakra Power feat no longer has a Strength component in the prereqs. The Contemplation ability of the psionic archetypes has been modified to conform more tightly with the golden rule of psionics.
I like the Lover's Tread; the Heartsblood Caress is nice too though I'm not really familiar enough with the spell to judge it properly at the moment.
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I like the Lover's Tread; the Heartsblood Caress is nice too though I'm not really familiar enough with the spell to judge it properly at the moment.
I really felt like the Desire daevic had to have access to unnatural lust one way or another, and the 10 year old in me couldn't help but throw in a pun related to falling head over heels in love.
Daevic
• Not much to say here that I have not already. I am a fan of every Passion, and can see myself using each one once.
• I would love to see some Daevic feats, hopefully 1 for each Passion.
• The table says that the Daevic can bind a veil to his foot slot at level 2, while the Chakra Binds ability makes no mention of feet. The veils themselves say that a Daevic can bind veils to their feet at 1st level.
• Lover’s Tread is probably the funniest veil, and also a veil that is immediately useful. I am really happy with its design.
Guru
• Again, not much to say here. I like the Guru and all of his philosophies. Vayist has the strongest flavor in its mechanics to me.
• Personally, I want to see unarmed strikes + improved unarmed strikes from the Sineater philosophy added to all other philosophies.
• I would like to see one Guru feat for every philosophy.
• Synergies with existing Akashic feats with similar effects, such as having Veilbound Resilience improve the Seal Wounds ability, could be cool.
Archetypes
• I cannot find the primary Veilweaving modifier on the archetypes.
• Snake Charmer: Adamant Coils ability has no duration listed.
Races
• They are all good, though I feel it strange that only the Sobek have 2 racial traits that can be essence receptacles.
• The Gamla could benefit from gaining one or two racial skill bonuses. Survival, Handle Animal, and Appraise all feel like good options based off what you have written about their society.
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Damn everything, I keep forgetting to add that Daevic feet issue back to my fix log. I corrected it a while back and then had to roll back to an earlier iteration. I'll get on that now.
Primary Veilweaving modifier is Wisdom unless otherwise listed, but obviously that doesn't mesh right with some of the archetypes. I'll jump in and correct that for the next release.
Side note guys, Prince of Knives and I are hashing out the Empty Pyramid discipline for you right now so we can get the Pharaoh up and running for alpha testing. Prince has threatened to use his knives on me if I don't make a few changes to the way Empty Pyramid works, so I'll let you know what happens there...
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Well, at least nobody can make the joke that the Pharoah uses weaboo fighting magic when it obviously uses superior Egyptian fighting magic.
Well, at least nobody can make the joke that the Pharoah uses weaboo fighting magic when it obviously uses superior Egyptian fighting magic.
I wonder if we'll see Imohtep's Sand/Nile Face Wave as a maneuver.
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Well, at least nobody can make the joke that the Pharoah uses weaboo fighting magic when it obviously uses superior Egyptian fighting magic.I wonder if we'll see Imohtep's Sand/Nile Face Wave as a maneuver.
If you do it'll be a fairly high level one. And it'll be probably be one of the very few maneuvers you'll ever see that affects a 100 foot radius transforming the affected area so that every square is treated as difficult terrain, dealing 5d8 damage to all enemies in the area of effect, and causing those who fail their saves to risk suffocation and those who succeed to still be entangled.
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If you do it'll be a fairly high level one. And it'll be probably be one of the very few maneuvers you'll ever see that affects a 100 foot radius transforming the affected area so that every square is treated as difficult terrain, dealing 5d8 damage to all enemies in the area of effect, and causing those who fail their saves to risk suffocation and those who succeed to still be entangled.Well, at least nobody can make the joke that the Pharoah uses weaboo fighting magic when it obviously uses superior Egyptian fighting magic.I wonder if we'll see Imohtep's Sand/Nile Face Wave as a maneuver.
Martials with crowd control. Man I love this even more. The game needs more stuff like this. =)
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Martials with crowd control. Man I love this even more. The game needs more stuff like this. =)If you do it'll be a fairly high level one. And it'll be probably be one of the very few maneuvers you'll ever see that affects a 100 foot radius transforming the affected area so that every square is treated as difficult terrain, dealing 5d8 damage to all enemies in the area of effect, and causing those who fail their saves to risk suffocation and those who succeed to still be entangled.Well, at least nobody can make the joke that the Pharoah uses weaboo fighting magic when it obviously uses superior Egyptian fighting magic.I wonder if we'll see Imohtep's Sand/Nile Face Wave as a maneuver.
To be fair, the Pharaoh is really stretching the word "martial". Given the fact that he's using a supernatural discipline, he's closer to a non-Vancian gish than a martial.
Heh, fair enough
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Okay, feedback on everything for which feedback was requested.
Guru: I love love love the guru. So much. The weapons are amazing and highly flavorful. I certainly like Akasin and Sineater, but the Vayist just seems so much... I don't want to say "cooler" or "more interesting", but that's sorta it? One of the only other comments I have is that Crack the Shell doesn't say the level it's gained at in the description. Immortal Essence doesn't either, but it's pretty obviously the capstone.
Daevic: I really do like the daevic. It's really awesome and does its job well. I especially adore the new Lover's Tread veil, if only for the "head over heels" and "falling madly in love" puns I could easily make.
Races: I adore all three races presently presented. Camels, alligators, and eagles all have such an intrinsic connection to everything that the fluff is going for that I can't seem to find fault.
Archetypes: As said before, primary veilweaving modifiers appear to not exist for these guys. However, I love the fluff and crunch on all of them~
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Will there be a subscription or draft we can buy like with Path of War or the mini releases that led up to Pionics unleased? How long down the pipe do you think those might be?
Yes, there will be a subscription release just like Path of War. Right now we've got a little bit of a bottleneck in our production schedule, but as soon as we get all the GenCon release and Kickstarter stuff out the door (and/or find someone who both has strong layout skills and is willing to work within the limited budget of a 3pp company) the Vizier and subscription will both be going up for purchase and the Guru, Daevic, and Supplemental materials will follow quickly after.
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Vizier: Other than expecting the alignment to be any evil, I think it's fairly spot on. Wasn't able to find anything that's noticeably under or over powered.
Guru: From the description I was expecting to like the class more, but it seems to have fallen flat for me. I can't even put my finger as to the specific issue I have because as far as I can tell it is a very solid, effective class that doesn't have a proclivity of stepping on others toes.
Daevic: I actually expected to like this class the least as it sounded the most like a direct knock-off of one of the MoI classes (the totemist to be specific). After reading it though I find my opinion has changed and can accept it as a worthy successor.
Races: Really like the Sobek as playable reptilian humanoids is something a lot of fantasy RPGs are lacking in my opinion. I'm a little concerned about the balance of a large race like the Gamla, but the Suqur hit all the right notes for me.
Archetypes: OMG do want the Akashic Warrior Fighter. I want to build an Android Akashic Warrior who uses Shape Veil to gain Hand Cannon and wields a tower shield. The other stuff is interesting and looks quite balanced, but just doesn't hit that same "must build this" button the way Akashic Warrior does. Of course that could just be me.
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That's 4 towards sealing our deal, and I'm working on getting the Pharaoh ready for alpha as we speak, so the biggest thing I've got left to do is get Empty Pyramid ready for the Path of War team to proof. Thanks for all of the helpful insight guys! I'm excited to start getting finished products in your hands and expanding the supplemental materials for the initial release compilation.
**EDIT**
Let me know what you guys think of this as the Pharaoh's capstone:
Sun God’s Might: In ancient times the first pharaohs were said to be descended from the sun itself, true inheritors of its awesome power. At 20th level the pharaoh shows exactly how this legend began. By taking 10 points of Essence burn as a full round action, the pharaoh becomes an avatar of akashic might; he gains Regeneration 5, may activate akashic maneuvers without taking Essence burn, and enemies who end their turn within 10 feet of the pharaoh take 5d6 points of damage as he is swathed in a whirling cascade of fiery akashic energy. Half of the damage is fire, but the other half results directly from pure akashic power and is not subject to being reduced by resistance or immunity to fire-based attacks. In addition, while this ability is active the pharaoh gains a secondary benefit depending on his alignment: Evil pharaohs gain a profane bonus to armor class, attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws equal to their Charisma modifier. Good Pharaohs instead gain a sacred bonus. Neutral Pharaohs must choose whether to receive a sacred or profane bonus when they first gain this ability and may not change their choice thereafter. At the end of each round this ability is active the pharaoh takes 1 point of Essence burn. The pharaoh may end this ability at any time as a free action, or it ends automatically when his Essence pool is reduced to 0.
That is a very flavorful capstone ability and I like it. The wording of the alignment part is a bit clunky, but that can be smoothed out later.
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That is a very flavorful capstone ability and I like it. The wording of the alignment part is a bit clunky, but that can be smoothed out later.
Yeah I figure we'll get that smoothed out as we go forward. Remember, it is only the alpha release :)
My real concern is getting playtesters to not refer to it as "going super saiyan".
Agreed in that it's awesome. The sacred/profane issue was pretty straightforward to me, but there's a lot of things in the game already that pretty much already operate that way.
My real concern is getting playtesters to not refer to it as "going super saiyan".
Don't get your hopes up =)
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Yes, this will have a subscription option, since it will be released like Psionics Expanded, Psionic Bestiary, and Path of War - each individual part and then a final release all for the price of the final release.
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My real concern is getting playtesters to not refer to it as "going super saiyan".
... you fool! You've sown the seeds of your own downfall within the minds of playtesters!
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I was going to try to be #5 for your deal and provide insightful feedback for each of the documents, but I just don't have the powers of concentration necessary right now.
I can say that I am intrigued by everything I saw, but haven't been able to really evaluate them in a useful fashion. I will definitely be jumping on the WIP subscription when it becomes available.
There is obviously a lot of time that has gone into this and apparently during a rough patch. That and your willingness to take suggestions and criticism here speak well of you and the product. I can't wait to see how it ends up. Cheers!
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Believe me, I was not thinking super saiyan at all. With the Strength of Ra!
It sounds powerful, but for a full-round action and 10 essence burn + a constant upkeep it had better be.
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Believe me, I was not thinking super saiyan at all. With the Strength of Ra!
It sounds powerful, but for a full-round action and 10 essence burn + a constant upkeep it had better be.
That reference has made this message board about 20% cooler.
As to the Pharaoh's capstone I was initially conflicted about whether the cost was too high or too low and how I should respond. I've since settled on "it's probably just right."
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Believe me, I was not thinking super saiyan at all. With the Strength of Ra!
It sounds powerful, but for a full-round action and 10 essence burn + a constant upkeep it had better be.That reference has made this message board about 20% cooler.
As to the Pharaoh's capstone I was initially conflicted about whether the cost was too high or too low and how I should respond. I've since settled on "it's probably just right."
Maybe this version of the Pharaoh with missing class abilities and no mechanics to go along with the maneuver descriptions will help you decide. Since I've gotten 4 out of 5 of the requested reviews, here's roughly 4/5 of a class :)
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Believe me, I was not thinking super saiyan at all. With the Strength of Ra!
It sounds powerful, but for a full-round action and 10 essence burn + a constant upkeep it had better be.
You bastard. Now not only is my fiancee making me watch the entire Mummies Alive! series on YouTube, she's also asking me if I've done veils for all their abilities so she can play as them. Your humor has turned into my work.
PharaohWhile awesome, he seems... Off. Taking Essence burn to power abilities? Abilities based on how much un-burned Essence you have? It... kind of seems you could replace Essence with Power Points and, after fiddling with the numbers, still come out at the same spot.
Essence has the advantage being quickly renewable, doing what it does with relatively simple math, and it's fluid. There's also mechanics for investing into akashic disciplines that haven't been hammered out yet, some more investment based class abilities that need to be filled in, and the fact that you probably want to combo this guy up with akashic feats since he's got the highest progression Essence pool.
Could I do something similar with power points? Yeah, psionics are boss sauce and the power point system is nice because you can do pretty much anything with it. Do I like this more as an Essence user? At the moment yeah, I really do. I kind of wanted the Pharaoh to take all of my favorite elements from Ultimate Psionics, Akashic Mysteries, and Path of War, and incorporate them into a new whole that's relatively simple to play but has enough moving parts for an experienced player to really be able to ratchet up the intensity.
I actually like the idea of Essence burn. It creates situations of "Well I have these cool flat bonuses, but in a pinch I can lower those bonuses to do something awesome!" Which is very cinematic and cool!
Well, I hope you at least enjoy Mummies Alive! And thank you for posting this preview. I am quite fond of the class features, and was pleasantly surprised with the inclusion of the familiar. I really like this little scarab. The idea of being a "divinely" tough guy who sacrifices his toughness to smite his foes is quite cool.
I do have a few questions:
Is the Pharaoh a 7/9 initiator?
Does the Heart Scarab grant any special ability like how the snapping turtle grants +2 to fortitude saves or the crab grants a bonus to grapple checks?
Will the Empty Pyramid discipline be an essence receptacle?
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Man, that preview just makes me want to play a Pharaoh even more. As if I wasn't sold on the class already what with it combining two of my favourite sub-systems in an interesting way.
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Well, I hope you at least enjoy Mummies Alive! And thank you for posting this preview. I am quite fond of the class features, and was pleasantly surprised with the inclusion of the familiar. I really like this little scarab. The idea of being a "divinely" tough guy who sacrifices his toughness to smite his foes is quite cool.
I do have a few questions:
Is the Pharaoh a 7/9 initiator?
Does the Heart Scarab grant any special ability like how the snapping turtle grants +2 to fortitude saves or the crab grants a bonus to grapple checks?
Will the Empty Pyramid discipline be an essence receptacle?
Turns out "Mummies Alive!" actually has some interesting inspiration for veils... And absolutely terrible writing. The nineties were a magical time. (Also, in case it wasn't clear, I wasn't actually mad at you and I thought the link was hilarious).
Empty Pyramid isn't 7/9, I just haven't written levels 8 and 9 yet. The heart scarab will grant a special ability, I just haven't determined if an extra point of Essence isn't too potent compared to what other familiars grant. Currently, yes, Empty Pyramid will be an Essence receptacle. There's still some discussion going on on the back end though, and we may still make some adjustments to the way everything comes together. Specifically, I'm not sure if we're going to continue with the current plan (you can invest Essence into the discipline to boost its associated maneuvers, akashic maneuvers cause Essence burn), or if we might try something a little different (You can invest the maneuvers individually when you ready them, the invested Essence is burned when the maneuver is expended, and the discipline itself is not a receptacle).
I'll try and make a point of doing some reviewing tonight =) Finally not having to overtime for the first time in a week and a half.