Post:Combos 3.0 (Now with more awesome!) - 02/27/2013 - 21:31

Combos 3.0 (Now with more awesome!) · on 2/27/2013 09:31 PM CST	904
Howdy folks, In an effort to add some complexity back into combat, Combos have made a re-appearance in Combat 3.0. Before you worry - realize these are completely optional! Combos 3.0 use the new Tactics Skillset. A player can ANALYZE an enemy player or critter from Pole or Melee range to look for holes in its defenses. This is a pure Tactics vs Defense Score test, like all the non-damaging tactical maneuvers (BOB, WEAVE, CIRCLE, SHOVE, TACKLE). If successful, an effect is placed on the enemy indicating their defenses are exposes and the player gets a message indicating what they must do to exploit it. >>analyze gob You reveal a moderate weakness in a goblin's defense. Balance reduction can be inflicted upon the enemy by landing a slam and a feint. Roundtime: 2 sec. You will have 30 seconds to inflict the 2-4 moves listed on the enemy. Only hits count, but you or another player may re-analyze to reset the timer and increase the potency of the analyze (10 levels exist). Anyone can analyze the enemy to see what combo is in effect, and land blows to progress the combo. Increased potency changes not only the effect but also the duration of the debuff. When the combo is finished you will see something such as... Utilizing good tactics you outmaneuver the goblin and expose weaknesses in its armor. This indicates the combo was successful and the enemy is now suffering from a debuff. Currently 3 combo types exist, and they and the moves they must use are picked by random (though your held weapon type affects what type of styles you must use) Armor Reduction Balance Reduction Increased chance to Stun These can be used on players as well, though I don't see it being too unbalancing due to the need to get to melee to apply them. Future expansion will involve hooks for Endurance and Expertise, self-combos and boss-combos. Generally players have had the most issues with combos not finishing. This has been a result of: 1). Critters-renumbering so you hit the wrong one 2). The fact ANALYZE isn't a combat maneuver and won't auto-face or auto-engage (it works just like APPRAISE) 3). Folks just taking too much time to kill things and not knowing about re-analyzing to reset the timer Please let me know if you have any questions or ideas for future expansion!
This message was originally posted in Discussions with DragonRealms Staff and Players \ Game Master and Official Announcements, by DR-KODIUS on the play.net forums.