40 replies to this topic

[Nightvision]

Soon we will be making a change to the way Focus regeneration works in Alganon.  Those of you who have spent some time on the PTS have already encountered the change, and I've seen a few forum posts about people running out of Focus.  For this reason I wanted to let everybody know this is coming, and to encourage you to prepare yourself for the change.

We're calling this change Spirit Drain, and the way it works is that when you use any action that costs Focus, your focus regeneration is immediately slowed greatly, then over time the regeneration ramps back up to its 100% regeneration rate.  I'm staying away from talking about exact numbers at this point because we are still testing to find the right balance.

Consequently, this change will not be implemented in the forthcoming patch, but will come at some point in the near future; either in a hotfix, or with the next patch.

Implementing Spirit Drain will allow us to re-balance the instances (and other content), and provide a reasonable degree of difficulty for the game while at the same time reducing the length of encounters greatly.  For example, a trash mob with 30k HP today may only need 6k after Spirit Drain is implemented.  Similarly, a boss that hits for 4k today may only hit for 2k after the change.

How can you prepare yourself for this change?

1.) Many of the new ability trees contain abilities that reduce the Focus cost of your spells and actions.  If your chosen specialization tree has such an ability I strongly recommend that you consider taking it, because in the balancing process we'll be assuming you have.  I also recommend you take the ability in this patch, because there will be no more free respecs for the foreseeable future.

2.) If you haven't already, start collecting Focus pots.  They drop like candy in this game, and you're going to need them a lot more often once this change goes into effect.

3.) Start considering items that boost the Soul stat if you haven't done so to date.  This stat will be much more important in the days to come.

Finally, watch this thread for updates in the coming weeks, and make sure you tell your friends that Spirit Drain is coming.

[Dror]

How will this affect those of us who put time into the Focus Regen study line? I would hate to have those study points go to waste.

[Anzha]

Will Soul still affect regen during the 'spirit drain' period then? Or simply make it so when you go back to 100% its 'more' ?

[Anzha]

I will say that while I'm cautious, I am supportive of this change.

Currently, instancing takes a very, very, very long time and more often than not just involves 'beating on something for 15 minutes until it dies.'

Additionally, Test of Faith at this point I'm going to go ahead and declare it 'impossible' because with tanks with 5000+ hp and full dawning gear still getting hit for 2500-3000 points - every hit - and 2 healers spamming heals, it still wasn't doable (the boss). I think that spirit drain would be a much more effective way to increase the difficulty factor / force people to prioritize skills as opposed to the bosses hitting so hard that there's no way to recover from it. [ Wargrowl ]

Some examples of this :

Gatekeeper Kuxx (Warfiend Karr) - takes 10 minutes to beat it down with a full group even interrupting its heal ability simply because of its massive HP. He's not really a threat by any means. If you can survive 60 seconds then you can survive the whole thing so there's not really any reason for the fight to last that long.

Test of Faith trash mobs : Similarly, the 30k HP trash mobs, once you've established aggro and proven that you can survive the hits they do, its just a matter of doing the same thing until they die.

Alganon is one of the only games I've played in which focus regen was such a 'non-issue' so while I don't particularly LIKE the huge, mega-nerf to healers that this entails, I am the first to admit that it is a necessary balance, and just hope that the HP and damage are scaled down appropriately to match that balance. In 50 levels of levelling up and months of killing worldbosses/warfiend instancing, I have yet to chug a focus pot. Ever. I summoned a Grand Idol of Faith when I learned the skill and its been sitting in my bag since. I think this level of non-importance to focus is a bit extreme, and that if regen and fights were adjusted to the point where focus regen studies became more crucial and/or the need to use my idol for every boss fight became an issue, it would be a lot more like my initial expectations.

I'd also be curious as to more details about this mechanic.

Currently the trance ability(which I know is changing in the patch) negates my soul to 0 for 15 seconds. If I spam skills during this 15 seconds I do notice that my focus moves - drastically -. Is that more or less what spirit drain will be like? If so, how long after a focus consuming skill until regen kicks back to normal? Will 'normal' be like 'now' or are more drastic adjustments to regen being added as well?


One thing I'm immensely irritated about is that months ago when I was lvling up there was a quest reward called Forest Keeper's focus - one of exactly 2 items I've seen that added +focus regen. I hung onto it for a while but eventually vendored it since focus regen has NEVER been an issue for me, ever, and it seemed pointless to keep.

Now with this drastic change to the regen dynamic there's no way for me to get this item again. This bothers me more than a little bit because now that it IS useful I have no way to obtain it. I'm wondering what else I may have let go in the past that would be useful now that the way the classes work has been so drastically altered. Any chance of letting repeat this quest, hehe?

Edited by Anzha, 08 September 2010 - 07:49 AM.

[zerof]

While we are on the topic of focus regen, Is +focus regen better than +soul? I have seen items as well as studies. But I'm never sure which one is actually more beneficial.

[Chibber]

ooo focus drain smashing another chance for mages to die faster .Could someone let me know when they're gonna upgrade mages from wet paper bag cannons to maybe papermache ones never mind getting as far as glass??.Another thing why do all mob casters use essence attk's?? Really handy having a ice /fire buff when essence cuts you to ribbons.

I do like the mage in here but the lack of any def is really begining to be an annoyance.

[Nightvision]

How will this affect those of us who put time into the Focus Regen study line? I would hate to have those study points go to waste.

I'd say those studies will still be beneficial. For instance, let's say you have 5 ranks of the study Focus Regeneration for a total of +10 Focus regen. Outside of combat you'll be getting +10, directly after a cast you'll still be getting a portion of that, which will ramp back up to the full +10 linearly over time.

Will Soul still affect regen during the 'spirit drain' period then? Or simply make it so when you go back to 100% its 'more' ?

At this point we aren't looking at stopping regeneration 100% so that added spirit is going to help you both during the Spirit Drain period, and outside of it.

...there was a quest reward called Forest Keeper's focus - one of exactly 2 items I've seen that added +focus regen...

I would expect these items to be re-itemized and the +focus regen attribute removed from them altogether. As you note, there are only a couple items like this in the game, and we don't have plans at this time to itemize the focus regen stat on gear. And we certainly don't want to see level 50s running around the world with a level 30 green necklace on.

While we are on the topic of focus regen, Is +focus regen better than +soul? I have seen items as well as studies. But I'm never sure which one is actually more beneficial.

I'll let you folks hammer out the merits of one vs. the other, but I will say that Soul affects both health and focus regeneration (and has abilities which play off it) whereas +focus regen only affects the amount of focus you gain every tick. And like I said above, moving forward you can expect that the only +focus regen stat in the game will be gained through the applicable studies.

[beloit551]

not sure why in heavens name you would want to do this seeing the amount of people playing the game right now isnt real big. This nerf to regen is seriously making my friend and I to stop playing. I'll never figure you guys out. Want more players but nerf this and not fix bugs. I'll wait till patch and see for myself but not looking good after reading this post. I've ran 1 dungeon since ive played this game and its impossible to get a group with the amount of people on that are the same level at least. Well rant over. Guess time will tell now thanks for at least making a great game just not gonna stick around to see nerf after nerf. Just glad you did this before I got more stuff out of the store.

[Cinae]

I don't see this as a nerf at all. It is a balance issue, and I am pretty sure the guy working on the spirit drain is not the same guy working on the bugs.

The reason they are doing what they are doing is it is probably better to do it now, when there isn't many people, instead of if there were a lot of people. Could you imagine the bitching that would come if they did this with hundred's of thousands of players? It would be unreal.

[Trebori]

Personally I like it.

The game is way to easy as it is right now. If there isn't a challenge then why play? Killing the world bosses and doing Warfiend is a cake walk right now. All you need to do to win is to simply show up. I have one of each archtype in the game and I have NEVER used a focus pot. I don't want every average to sub-average player having the same equipment as me. Now that everyone will have to manage their focus better and not just spam skill buttons, it should create more of a challenge. It isn't a silver bullet but it is a step in the right direction IMO. Almost all games dumb it down so much for the masses that it becomes mundane and out right boring.

I am old school. I come from a time when quest icons, arrows to quest mobs,quest trackers, maps, among other things didn't exist. Please don't give in to "easy mode" players and dumb it down.

The ones that will be complaining are more than likely from that "other" game that are used to having things handed to them.

I know I will get flamed for my response and point of view. I simply don't care.

Edited by Trebori, 09 September 2010 - 08:23 PM.

[beloit551]

Personally I like it.

The game is way to easy as it is right now. If there isn't a challenge then why play? Killing the world bosses and doing Warfiend is a cake walk right now. All you need to do to win is to simply show up. I have one of each archtype in the game and I have NEVER used a focus pot. I don't want every average to sub-average player having the same equipment as me. Now that everyone will have to manage their focus better and not just spam skill buttons, it should create more of a challenge. It isn't a silver bullet but it is a step in the right direction IMO. Almost all games dumb it down so much for the masses that it becomes mundane and out right boring.

I am old school. I come from a time when quest icons, arrows to quest mobs,quest trackers, maps, among other things didn't exist. Please don't give in to "easy mode" players and dumb it down.

The ones that will be complaining are more than likely from that "other" game that are used to having things handed to them.

I know I will get flamed for my response and point of view. I simply don't care.

With the community being so small I would be careful on your nerfs. I for 1 and my friends are not happy with the direction the game is going and waiting for patch to see whats gonna happen. With a game like wow sure they don't have to care but a game like this they must think. So make it hard if you like but just be prepared to lose more customers like myself and others. I do like this game and still play actually working my way to 40 so its not like i dont play. And no i dont flame others for there responses you have your right like i do

[Dror]

Now that I have actually tested this change, I agree that it is not a Nerf in the traditional sense of the word. Sure, it makes us less effective, but it opens up way more possibilities for more content. Now QoL doesn't have to just add more HP to bosses and make them hit for more damage to make them harder.

The entire leveling process to 50 as a healer, I was never in any danger of dying. Most of the time, my focus had regenerated by the time I had finished casting. Now, I actually have to think, and account for any special abilities an enemy might have, and choose my skill usage more wisely.

While it is a nerf, it is a necessary one after having seen it in action. If you just want to be able to roll through everything without thinking then you won't like this change, but for those of us who want to be challenged then this is welcome IMO.

[Whyspir]

Personally I like it.

The game is way to easy as it is right now. If there isn't a challenge then why play? Killing the world bosses and doing Warfiend is a cake walk right now. All you need to do to win is to simply show up. I have one of each archtype in the game and I have NEVER used a focus pot. I don't want every average to sub-average player having the same equipment as me. Now that everyone will have to manage their focus better and not just spam skill buttons, it should create more of a challenge. It isn't a silver bullet but it is a step in the right direction IMO. Almost all games dumb it down so much for the masses that it becomes mundane and out right boring.

I am old school. I come from a time when quest icons, arrows to quest mobs,quest trackers, maps, among other things didn't exist. Please don't give in to "easy mode" players and dumb it down.

The ones that will be complaining are more than likely from that "other" game that are used to having things handed to them.

I know I will get flamed for my response and point of view. I simply don't care.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!
Excellent post!!!
Couldnt have said it better myself.
Now for a trip down memory lane..
Remember when EQ hit the market and there were no maps and web help!!
you had to find stuff for yourself!
And what a feeling of Accomplishment there was when you succeeded.
Remember when you finally completed the Trueshot bow and you you couldnt help showing it to everyone!!
Ahhh those were the Days!!!

[Padreic]

Ahhh those were the Days!!!

Weren't they though? *nostalgic smile*

[Anzha]

Not only will you have to be choosier with skills, but choosing where your ability points go is going to be affected by this change. I don't see it being the omg huge nerf crisis that some may be afraid of. The only time this is really going to matter is in huuuuge pulls of mobs, and elites/bosses. I've never played a healer in any game where mana mangement (and mana efficiency) wasn't an important part of what I do, except here. Having to prioritize what I cast isn't a big expectation of the players ;P

Worst case scenario, if I have to spend 30 mins a week farming phochis for a stack of energy pots, I will live.

Other adjustments have been made to how many skills/abilities on focus-using classes work also, so the 'refund focus' 'reduce focus cost' stuff is actually useful now. The new divine favor is going to help healers with their focus problems significantly.

I don't call it a nerf if I have to be more thoughtful when playing, if anything that will make things more interesting. I find that with the new changes (particularly to healers) that there are many ways to work with the diminished regen. I just wish the blue dawning gear added a bit of soul ;P

[Scoffer]

I'm available for rent for phoci potion farming.

Excellent rates and group discount available.

For a full price list see my agent

[beloit551]

Not only will you have to be choosier with skills, but choosing where your ability points go is going to be affected by this change. I don't see it being the omg huge nerf crisis that some may be afraid of. The only time this is really going to matter is in huuuuge pulls of mobs, and elites/bosses. I've never played a healer in any game where mana mangement (and mana efficiency) wasn't an important part of what I do, except here. Having to prioritize what I cast isn't a big expectation of the players ;P

Worst case scenario, if I have to spend 30 mins a week farming phochis for a stack of energy pots, I will live.

Other adjustments have been made to how many skills/abilities on focus-using classes work also, so the 'refund focus' 'reduce focus cost' stuff is actually useful now. The new divine favor is going to help healers with their focus problems significantly.

I don't call it a nerf if I have to be more thoughtful when playing, if anything that will make things more interesting. I find that with the new changes (particularly to healers) that there are many ways to work with the diminished regen. I just wish the blue dawning gear added a bit of soul ;P

Not everybody is level 50 yet which seems to me you are all forgetting. This will effect leveling I'm sure, while you all got the easy leveling. So yes it is a Nerf to us lower levels. But then again it seems to me what we have to say don't matter anyway. They only seem to listen to you guys and what we have to say doesn't matter. So by all means make it so hard it scares people off and then its only you few left playing. Have fun with only a few people playing. I'll be watching now on instead of messaging cause again I know they don't pay attention to only a certain few. So peace out and lets see what happens in the future.

[Jaede6]

Not everybody is level 50 yet which seems to me you are all forgetting. This will effect leveling I'm sure, while you all got the easy leveling. So yes it is a Nerf to us lower levels.

I'm not level 50 yet, and I too welcome this change. Up to this point, I could literally fall asleep playing my healer because all I had to do was spam buttons. It took no thought whatsoever to stay alive and kill stuff. There must be challenge of some sort or what is the point in playing? If I wanted to win every time I would go cheat at Solitaire.

[Sharrwen]

Not everybody is level 50 yet which seems to me you are all forgetting. This will effect leveling I'm sure, while you all got the easy leveling. So yes it is a Nerf to us lower levels. But then again it seems to me what we have to say don't matter anyway. They only seem to listen to you guys and what we have to say doesn't matter. So by all means make it so hard it scares people off and then its only you few left playing. Have fun with only a few people playing. I'll be watching now on instead of messaging cause again I know they don't pay attention to only a certain few. So peace out and lets see what happens in the future.

Easy????? Before this new patch there was nothing easy about leveling from 45 to 50. It was the most god awful grind. Doing warfiend runs helped but that's not easy either. Even with a group.

[Scoffer]

Not everybody is level 50 yet which seems to me you are all forgetting. This will effect leveling I'm sure, while you all got the easy leveling. So yes it is a Nerf to us lower levels. But then again it seems to me what we have to say don't matter anyway. They only seem to listen to you guys and what we have to say doesn't matter. So by all means make it so hard it scares people off and then its only you few left playing. Have fun with only a few people playing. I'll be watching now on instead of messaging cause again I know they don't pay attention to only a certain few. So peace out and lets see what happens in the future.

lol and indeed lol.

of those who have level 50s we all have alts of various levels who we play regularly so we are not just "looking after our own" or however you want to phrase it. As for the devs only listening to a select few this is simply not true. Granted someone who has been playing for a few months might carry a bit more weight than someone who has been playing for 3 days but that's not surprising really. Fact is they know the system better and can see more of the bigger picture.

Of all the proposed changes (champion included) I have yet to see a single nerf. Sure some things are changing but overall its an improvement to the class and if people would simply try out the changes before grabbing their pitchforks and looking for blood you also might see why the changes were taking place.

Edited by Scoffer, 10 September 2010 - 04:36 PM.