Heya guys,
Let me preface this by saying thank you all very much for your input. It's been very helpful and I've come up with some good ideas to modify my original ones.
What I'm going to do for now close this topic, and in a week or two create seperate topics for each race addressing this. I think I underestimated the scope of this issue, but that's perfectly okay because it will add lots of depth to the game, it will just take a little longer to implement than previously thought 8)
The topic will remain here for now, so that I have some good stuff to refer to when I am putting together updated remort racial abilities. After I post the individual race topics, I will also post a twelfth threat summarizing the plans. That thread will be used for discussion in terms of balancing the races against each other, whereas the individual threats will be used for developing ideas particular to a remorted race.
Now to address a few things I saw in the post. Star, I do agree with you that forum input does reflect the people who are participating, and those tend not to be the newbies. However I don't think it's such a big deal because we are deciding remort races, and we wouldn't want newer players who don't know as much about the game to necesarrily dominate the scene (not at all saying they shouldn't be allowed to post, just saying that I don't think lack of their participation is a huge problem). I would definitely love to see more input from players from all walks of the game, though, on other issues. Perhaps we should advertisie some more.
I also agree with your point that my plans for drow are more defensive and that drow is already a race whose defensive skills are pretty strong. Their defining traits are stealth and magical supremacy, not necesarrily defensive fighting. I'll work something to boost their offensive skills some to account for this. Also, I'll have a look at the firing-time for crossbows; if it's not worth it, I will reduce it some.
As to the idea of spells on arrows (I forget who brought this up), I've given it some thought and decided that putting any spell affect on projectiles is a little much at the moment. I do believe that you should be able to put certain properties on them, poison being the one which comes to mind first, as well as sharpness. I am also open to the idea of allowing them to be infused with shocking, flaming, etc, although I think these affects should wear off after some time just like with real weapons. However we will need to think about this infusion long and hard such that it doesn't make one subclass dominate others due to the fact that they can exploit vulns of races.
Myth, I take your point very well about hell barons and minotaurs being an offensive as opposed to defensive race. I've thought about it and the reduction of damage does seem too much, and also unfitting. I will definitely find a way to emphasize their horns since they are the part of the defining visual traits of the minotaur species. We can discuss this when I post the new topics up, as I am a little short on ideas for this which haven't been done already (sure we could make another damaging attack out of the horns, but it would have to be special - otherwise it would just be another version of bash or kick).
I also think you really have something in saying the dragon should use their claws more. You're right- they're huge, and they probably wouldn't use hand-held weapons. A draconian would, but for a dragon to do so is a little bizarre. Once I find a proper way to balance hand-to-hand fighting, I will definitely use the claws as well as breath as a primary weapon of attack for drags. To those out there that are dragons, don't be worried - I'll make it worth it, and you will still be able to use weapons (I see no reason why a dragon can't hold something in one of those huge claws 8))
A note to balder: if you're not capable of formulating logical thoughts, using correct grammar, and being respectful of others, you're not welcome on this board, so go post in the whining forum because that's what it is for. This forum is for intelligent people to discuss changes they think would make the game better. It requires an objective point of view, not a "oh-poor-me-i'm-getting-fucked-over attitude". Additionally I don't see what CPK, PK, or gender has AT ALL to do with this topic. I don't believe you're right on the points you've brought up, but even if you were, it would be moot because THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS TOPIC IS FOR. You can spare your breath on accusing me of playing favorites/taking sides because I've already anticipated it. Yes, I take sides with people who have half a brain, are polite and don't jump to conclusions. Deal with it or get the hell out.
Elz, I see your point about lack of skills specific to just elves. You definitely are on a right track there. Now, as to making archery specific to them… this idea is pretty lucrative to me, and I must say am really glad to hear people supporting something for the sake of game diversity and balance rather than just their own gain. I am really tempted to do it. However, though, I will have to think long and hard about it, not at all because I'm opposed to the idea of elves having a unique skill, but because I would like to see people using ranged... this is probably a little biased because I implemented it 8). Most likely what I'll do is sort of compromise the two viewpoints and, while not taking the ability to shoot bows and crossbows away from everyone, give elves more unique skills relating to archery, and make them clearly the winner in that field. That wouldn't be a complete solution to the uniqueness(is that even a word?) situation for elves, and I will definitely have to come up with something else. But it's a start :)
As to other races not being able to use crossbows/bows, it is something I agree with to an extent. I could definitely not see a dwarf or a dragon doing it, not because they aren't able, but because they are races which just don't do that - they prefer other weapons due to the history and lore of their races (which I do, by the way, plan on working on ASAP.) It's not that they __shouldn't__ be able to use bows/arrows at all (with possible exception of the dwarf), it's that they wouldn't be good at it because they have never had an interest in it. A possible solution would be reserving the "behind back" wear-spot to the elf, drow, vampire, sith and human because whipping out a bow and shooting that quickly requires lots of agility and dexterity that only they, the human-sized races, have.
So, I think even though discussing mortal races is a bit off topic, I will address it because it is a good point; I will most likely drop ability of the larger and smaller (and different-kind) races to use archery (but not take it away), and increase the elf and drow's ability to do the same.
Phew. Sorry for the length of this topic, but I wanted to try and address everyone's point. I'm going to close it just because it's a big issue and getting a little too hard to understand as one big lump, and will open some topics for the individual races later, along with my revisions. With this, a bit more discussion on mortal races, and the new PC race we are going to add in (yes, I know what it is, and no, I'm not telling anyone yet 8)) we will extend the depth of PC races a great bit and make them more unique and fun to play.
Thank you all for your comments and criticisms, you've been great. Have a good one. Sentience kicks ass :D
