Talk:Bardic scream

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Made copies of them so as not to lose them when they vanish from the forums. -Caraamon Strugr-Makdasi^(talk) 02:07, 7 July 2008 (CDT)

Scream Mechanics

Lyneya — 03/14/2022 at 8:03 PM
@Imerald asked me a question over the weekend about bardic screams, and I put it on my list to look at today. His question was.. what are the contests?? Most spells and abilities get released without details like that, but over time players are able to suss it out. That hasn't really happened with screams. Can we know what they do?!

So I looked at it today.. and I couldn't tell. Bardic screams are handled a bit differently than other abilities in that they use special combat attack mechanics (the same mechs that creatures use). I am not skilled enough with the code to follow it through all of those rabbit holes.. but @Zadraes is! He spent quite a while today digging into it for me.

I present to you:
defiance
-- Initial: (Buffed) charisma is contested against a 1-100 random to determine if you break the stun or not.
-- Pulses: Similar contest, but not as in-your-favor as the initial one.
-- Gets a barrier-like effect to reduce incoming damage for a time -- both a % reduction based on your mojo and then a cap that effectively eliminates low-level damage.

havoc
-- (Buffed) bardic lore with a charisma-based buff (every 5 charisma = 1% bonus) is "attacker's" skill
-- weapon template: impact > puncture > slice || weakest 'impact' of havoc/dissonance/concussive
-- can be evaded, cannot be parried, can be shield blocked, reflex aids the defender, armor doesn't matter and damage isn't done
-- inflicts a balance hit based on how successful the 'hit' was
-- hits that are strong enough can push back engagement range
-- hits that are really strong can knock the target prone
-- if already at missile range, the intent is for it to do an additional balance hit, but GSL math may be buffing their balance instead?

dissonance
-- (Buffed) bardic lore with a charisma-based buff (every 5 charisma = 1% bonus) is "attacker's" skill
-- weapon template: impact > puncture > slice || strongest 'impact' of havoc/dissonance/concussive
-- can be evaded, cannot be parried, can be shield blocked, reflex assists defender, armor helps, damage is done
-- if it hits, it does damage using combat's damage-dealing utility and has a bonused chance to stun the target

concussive
-- (Buffed) bardic lore with a charisma-based buff (every 5 charisma = 1% bonus) is "attacker's" skill
-- weapon template: impact > puncture > slice || middle 'impact' value of havoc/dissonance/concussive
-- can be evaded, cannot be parried, can be shield blocked, reflex aids defender, armor helps, does damage
-- if it hits, it does damage using combat's damage-dealing utility, can stun but not a bonused chance

... now, here you might say "Dissonance?! What the heck is dissonance?!" Well, apparently there's another scream in there that hasn't been released! Once again Zadraes to the rescue. Stand outside and type SCREAM HELP!

@Bard

Scream Dissonance learned ability messaging

An exasperated curly-haired Halfling dashes up to you. She pants heavily trying to recover her breath for several moments. At last, she says, "You would NOT believe the trip I had to find you! Macfrae sent me with a message and a lesson..."

She continues, "As an experienced Bard, hopefully familiar with the guild's screaming techniques, a subtle adjustment to apply dissonant tones to the concussive force of a scream can inflict some nasty head wounds, maybe even enough to momentarily stun your foe!"

She stands awkwardly for a moment, then shrugs and says, "That was it. That was all Macfrae wanted me to convey. Maybe it'll mean something to you." With that, she turns and dashes away once again. [You've just learned the SCREAM DISSONANCE ability! Check SCREAM HELP for more information!]