Warrior-Mages: The Other Magic Meat
Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 3:15 am
Hello Everyone,
I know, the topic of Warrior-Mage is a delicate one, but I would like to toss my two-cents into this debate and offer a few suggestions for improvement as well as point out the things I feel should stay the same.
Disclaimer: Some of my dialogue in this post is meant for humor purposed, I mean no offense by any of it but since we play this game for fun why not make the post fun also?
Topic #1: Knights aka. How to fail at your job.
I could give a huge copy/paste of the Knights abilities and the WaM's restrictions but I shall quickly simplify. Knight have an advantage called Honor's Aegis which gives them bonus Close Physical Defense. They also have a disadvantage called Strength of Word and Steel which states they only get that bonus from Honor's Aegis if they are in all metal armor (no problem) and if they are wielding a shield (hey wait a minute...).
WaM can wear all mithril armor, so meeting the metal requirement is no problem. BUT, and this is a Fugly on date night sized Butt, WaMs cannot use shields of any kind. So the advanced class cancels the advantage of the basic class almost entirely.
Topic #1 Solution: WaMs as Swash-Bucklers
The buckler and targe are both Class A shields that even mages can use. It does not prevent spell casing at all. The buckler/targe would then open up the Knight's special advantage and make the combo actually viable once more.
Topic #2: I'm like a Mage, but worse!
Now, we all know that a WaM is not supposed to be even close to as powerful in magic to a Mage, and the aren't. They have access to the Arcana school which is about 30% Mage only spells, but that is still a lot of cool spells they gain access to, and a slightly lackluster WaM only spell, but still cool beans! However, when we looks at what is supposed to set a WaM apart, their equipment, we see a tragic tale of being a Jack of no trades and a master of turds.
Good Equipment Choices for Mages:
Targe: DEF 2
Mithril Coif: DEF 1
Mithril Greaves: DEF 1, ATK 1
Mithril Vambraces: DEF 1
Gambeson: DEF 1
Robes of the Archmagi: DEF 5 RES +2
Total Defense: DEF 11, ATK 1, RES +2 w/o enchantment
Total Strength Req: 17
Cost: 1875 Mhls
Good Equipment Choices for WaM (Including "special" armor that only WaMs can cast in):
Visored Helm: DEF 2
Mithril Greaves: DEF 1
Mithril Vambraces: DEF 1
Mithril Gauntlets: DEF 1, ATK 1
Gambeson: DEF 1
Mithril Half-Plate: DEF 5
Total Defense: DEF 11, ATK 1 w/o enchantment
Total Strength Req: 27
Cost: 2675 Mhls
That is an extra 800 mhls for the same DEF and 2 less RES on gear that takes 10 more Strength to even carry.
The jack of all trades advanced class is worse geared that the Mage in EVERY WAY other than weapons. And, honestly, how often do Mages rely on weapons? Never, that's when.
Topic #2 Solution: Boost dem numbas, yo
The easiest solution to this dilemma is to just boost the DEF numbers on the Mithril Half-Plate, or allow bucklers and targes for WaMs. The fact Mithril Half-Plate is on the exact same level as the Robes of the Arch Magi (DEF 5) but the Robes of the Arch Magi both cost less and offer and additional +2 RES for free is ridiculous. If nothing else the half plate should get boosted, or a WaM in full mithril armor should get a boosted DEF rating. Alternatively, Robes of the Arch Magi's DEF rating could be lowered.
In Short...
Everything a Wam can do, a Mage can do better... except use weapons they don't need, nor want to.
In its current state the WaM is a trap class, offering versatility but falling well short of delivering on that promise.
The loss of casting spells while heavily armored, or the ability to cast spells through melee weapons, made this class lose it's uniqueness, and its amazing strength. The class WAS overpowered before, there is no doubt about that. But the current incarnation was nerfed way too hard.
I know, the topic of Warrior-Mage is a delicate one, but I would like to toss my two-cents into this debate and offer a few suggestions for improvement as well as point out the things I feel should stay the same.
Disclaimer: Some of my dialogue in this post is meant for humor purposed, I mean no offense by any of it but since we play this game for fun why not make the post fun also?
Topic #1: Knights aka. How to fail at your job.
I could give a huge copy/paste of the Knights abilities and the WaM's restrictions but I shall quickly simplify. Knight have an advantage called Honor's Aegis which gives them bonus Close Physical Defense. They also have a disadvantage called Strength of Word and Steel which states they only get that bonus from Honor's Aegis if they are in all metal armor (no problem) and if they are wielding a shield (hey wait a minute...).
WaM can wear all mithril armor, so meeting the metal requirement is no problem. BUT, and this is a Fugly on date night sized Butt, WaMs cannot use shields of any kind. So the advanced class cancels the advantage of the basic class almost entirely.
Topic #1 Solution: WaMs as Swash-Bucklers
The buckler and targe are both Class A shields that even mages can use. It does not prevent spell casing at all. The buckler/targe would then open up the Knight's special advantage and make the combo actually viable once more.
Topic #2: I'm like a Mage, but worse!
Now, we all know that a WaM is not supposed to be even close to as powerful in magic to a Mage, and the aren't. They have access to the Arcana school which is about 30% Mage only spells, but that is still a lot of cool spells they gain access to, and a slightly lackluster WaM only spell, but still cool beans! However, when we looks at what is supposed to set a WaM apart, their equipment, we see a tragic tale of being a Jack of no trades and a master of turds.
Good Equipment Choices for Mages:
Targe: DEF 2
Mithril Coif: DEF 1
Mithril Greaves: DEF 1, ATK 1
Mithril Vambraces: DEF 1
Gambeson: DEF 1
Robes of the Archmagi: DEF 5 RES +2
Total Defense: DEF 11, ATK 1, RES +2 w/o enchantment
Total Strength Req: 17
Cost: 1875 Mhls
Good Equipment Choices for WaM (Including "special" armor that only WaMs can cast in):
Visored Helm: DEF 2
Mithril Greaves: DEF 1
Mithril Vambraces: DEF 1
Mithril Gauntlets: DEF 1, ATK 1
Gambeson: DEF 1
Mithril Half-Plate: DEF 5
Total Defense: DEF 11, ATK 1 w/o enchantment
Total Strength Req: 27
Cost: 2675 Mhls
That is an extra 800 mhls for the same DEF and 2 less RES on gear that takes 10 more Strength to even carry.
The jack of all trades advanced class is worse geared that the Mage in EVERY WAY other than weapons. And, honestly, how often do Mages rely on weapons? Never, that's when.
Topic #2 Solution: Boost dem numbas, yo
The easiest solution to this dilemma is to just boost the DEF numbers on the Mithril Half-Plate, or allow bucklers and targes for WaMs. The fact Mithril Half-Plate is on the exact same level as the Robes of the Arch Magi (DEF 5) but the Robes of the Arch Magi both cost less and offer and additional +2 RES for free is ridiculous. If nothing else the half plate should get boosted, or a WaM in full mithril armor should get a boosted DEF rating. Alternatively, Robes of the Arch Magi's DEF rating could be lowered.
In Short...
Everything a Wam can do, a Mage can do better... except use weapons they don't need, nor want to.
In its current state the WaM is a trap class, offering versatility but falling well short of delivering on that promise.
The loss of casting spells while heavily armored, or the ability to cast spells through melee weapons, made this class lose it's uniqueness, and its amazing strength. The class WAS overpowered before, there is no doubt about that. But the current incarnation was nerfed way too hard.