Burning HP rather than stamina would be super dangerous, and we also have no idea what it would imply to bypass stamina and damage HP directly (Mostly what happens if HP is 0 but stamina is full?). As far as I know, everything affects your stamina first. So for simplicity sake, it should probably do so as well.
I would probably have it do something like add an amount of damage equal to character level, but also cause damage to the user equal to character level each round.
Basically it would be like having Weapon Specialization again, but causing damage to yourself. It has to be damaging enough to the user compared to the damage bonus that it's not a no-brainer to use. I think my suggestion will make it balanced, but wont make it something you use all the time.
Why not just use Corona? Energy resistance and damage.
So it's like Plasma Sheath but a little bit better and then also zaps your life?
Yeah I have never played Dark Souls but I looked up the power. Doing what you want would be hard to nail down. It kind of sounds like you are going for a Rage mechanic though. Kind of like a glass cannon? Higher damage minus AC maybe?
Well how much health do you have at level 8? Looking at that how many rounds would it take to kill you doing 8 damage a round? I can't do math right now.
So it's like Plasma Sheath but a little bit better and then also zaps your life?
The difference is that it's not fire damage, so less likely to be resisted, and could be stacked for example activate both corona and this power. You could also use plasma sheath, and unlike that power it doesn't have a buildup time (for full attunement).
Also, the pregen Solarion has 132 hp. So it would take 16.5 rounds to reach 0 hp if you only took damage from the suggested power, of course that is unlikely.
Yeah, it's something you stack with other damage bonuses to really go all out, but you're risking your combat longevity.
I might make this a graviton power, and flavor it as using gravity to enhance your melee blows but that it also stresses and strains your body causing damage as you use it. Also, once you turn it on you can't choose to turn it off. Making it a tough choice.
Plasma Steath doesn't need to fully attune. Only attune: When you are attuned or fully attuned, your attacks with plasma sheath deal additional fire damage equal to half your level.
Deadly Aim is a bad choice though, it brings down average damage in most cases.
And yes, this power would make Solarions the best melee damage dealers. Which is about their only niche, so I'm okay with that.
@HWalsh
its pretty hard as a solarian to get 28 str (more realistic you'll end up with 26 str)
At this point you are debating 1 damage point. I think the example still stands.
Attack would probably be better. I am if you are constantly going to take damage why not make it a guaranteed hit? Maybe increasing attack x2 per round getting more and more powerful but damage to you is increased x2 as well. The longer you are in it the more danger you are putting yourself in.
Maybe starting at a half character lvl and x2 that.
Or maybe
At lvl 8 when you unlock power.
+4 attack = +8 damage to yourself
+8 attack = +16 damage to yourself
But you can't turn it off until combat has ended?
Haven't done the math. Just seems like a funny/different mechanic.