Contested abilities

General Information

Contested spells include Will vs Will, Spell vs Stamina, Spell vs Agility, and Spell vs Sprit. ALL contested spells are modified by range to target (except for area spells), and by how much mana the caster puts into the spell. Both sides of the formula are otherwise equally balanced, but the ratios are not revealed -- only which stats are used, not which is most important. Primary Magic does NOT play a role except in the fact that it allows a mage to put more mana into the spell.

This will mean that individual mages, depending on how they have and want to train their stats, will tend to have a particular type of contested spell that they excel at. Likewise, there will be particular targets who may be more or less resistant to specific types of contested spells. All of the above applies equally to both critters and players.

Contest Stat "Weighting"

Dartenian says, "When we talk about weighted in stat contests, we aren't usually talking about much."
Dartenian says, "Raising your intelligence or discipline higher at the expense of charisma is NOT going to make you better at WvW."
Dartenian says, "If you are talking about cost analysis."
1/2009

Contested Spells Contests

Primary Magic does NOT play a role in contested spells except in the fact that it allows a mage to put more mana into the spell.

This will mean that individual mages, depending on how they have and want to train their stats, will tend to have a particular type of contested spell that they excel at. Likewise, there will be particular targets who may be more or less resistant to specific types of contested spells. All of the above applies equally to both critters and players.

Attack Class Primary Stat Secondary Stat Tertiary Stat ---- ---- ---- ---- Mind Intelligence Discipline Wisdom Magic Wisdom Intelligence Discipline Spirit Wisdom Charisma Intelligence Charm Charisma Discipline Intelligence Fear Charisma Strength Discipline Power Strength Stamina Discipline

Magical Attack Styles

Mind Attacks - The user is bringing the force of his own mind to bear on the target. Examples: Mental Blast, Halt.

Magic Attacks - The user is creating an effect that acts on its own accord as opposed to directly contesting themselves with the target. Examples: Energy Manacles, Branch Break.

Spirit Attacks - The user is clashing their spirit or soul against the target, trying to bring down its weight against them. Examples: Soul Sickness, Stun Foe.

Charm Attacks - The user is trying to lure or befuddle the target in a subtler attack, or instead awe the target through sheer presence. Examples: Siren's Call, Chorus of Madmen.

Non-Magical Attack Styles

Fear Attacks - The user is trying to intimidate the target in order to evoke a desired effect. Examples: Barbarian Roars.

Power Attacks - The user is bringing forth sheer physical brutality in order to cause an effect. Example: War Stomp.

There aren't as many non-magical attack styles because there aren't really any abilities for them outside of Barbarians. It's easy to add more in the future though.

Defending from Spells

Defense Class Primary Stat Secondary Stat Tertiary Stat --- --- --- --- Reflexes Reflex Agility Intelligence. Also affected by incapacitating conditions (prone, webbed, etc). Fortitude Stamina Discipline Strength. Also affected by vitality, spirit, and fatigue. Willpower Discipline Wisdom Intelligence. Also affected by nerve damage, stuns/unconsciousness, and Khri Serenity, Calm, and Cunning.

Reflexes - The user is attempting to avoid something attacking them, keep their balance, or otherwise make agile or dexterous motions. Examples: Branch Break, Dazzle.

Fortitude - The user is trying to endure an effect or curse that cannot be avoided. Examples: Stun Foe, Heighten Pain.

Willpower - The user is attempting to actively fight off or shield themselves from an attempt to meddle with their state of being. Examples: Mental Blast, Petrifying Visions.

It was decided that attacks against a character fundamentally reduce to three things: You avoid it, you endure it, or you repel it. This new system still provides many more potential types of contests, given the input side of things.

Also See

Click here to search for related posts.