Barbarian 3.0
- This article is incomplete, which means that while it is not a stub, it still lacks certain data or information.
- Please see Category:Incomplete articles for more articles that are incomplete.
As the the Barbarian Guild is currently undergoing a complete rewrite, this article is for information about the end result.
The roll out time is estimated to be about June/July of 2011.
Inner Fire
The Inner Fire system is being rewritten in several ways. First, the pools will be larger and dynamic. Secondly, pools will only passively regenerate part which, after which killing or other IF restoring actions will be required to top it off.
While it will be possible to get more detail on IF usage and levels than in the current system, there will be unspecified consequences for doing so.
Powers
Barbarians will have access to Berserks, Forms (formerly Dances), Meditations, and Feats (such as whirlwind). Each will cost a 1-3 slots, of which we (as of last knowledge) will get 1 every other circle, starting at 1st.
The powers will be mixed among three paths (think spellbooks), called Horde (brute strength), Predator (stealth and precision), and Flame (anti-mage/magic). There will be multiple tiers, with access to the next tier likely requiring at least one power from the previous tier in that path and a circle minimum. Progessing down two or more paths possible, but the most powerful abilities require serious comittment to a path.
Assuming you have the skill, you can activate up to 4 forms, 2 berserks, a meditation, and a roar at the same time.
The abilities will be weighted to cap out duration first, then potency.
Forgetting an ability will be possible, and likely no more difficult than for spellcasters.
Berserks
Berserks are slated to become instant use short-duration (a minute or two) buffs. In addition, they will be losing much of their downsides, some of them completely removed, and others (such as no-retreat) being lifted in the later half of the power. Berserk names will be derived from disasters.
- Berserk with a pulsing melee/pole auto-attack
- Berserk volcano will prevent death while active
As with current Berserks, Inner Fire will be drained both when the start and each time they pulse. They will retain their consequences for ending with extremely low fire, but will be removed for anything but the lowest levels.
Forms (Dances)
As compared to Berserks, forms are a longer boost with, with to potiental to last up an hour. There will be a 30 second ramp up time, and every 15 or so seconds the effects will increase until max effect is reached. Forms will reduce the maximum amount of Inner Fire you can have, with Inner Fire skill reducing the reduction.
Forms will be named after animals.
- Turtle Form is an anti-magic barrier that can reduce spell potency
- Toad Form will be elemental damage reduction
Meditations
These are semi-miscellaneous abilities that either cannot be started in combat and require a start up time, though once started they can be continued in combat.
Tenative examples:
- Bleeder staunching
- Mediate Serenity (immunity to magic at the cost of no other abilities).
- Inner Fire managing meditations
- Meditate Dispel will attempt to remove all magic on the user
- Meditate Bastion is a Save vs. Strength bonus
Roars
Roars will be losing their room-affecting capacity, either targeting one target or all engaged with you, though the area effect capacity can be regained with the right ability.
- Roar which saps mana
- Roar that interrupts spell preparation
Abilities
These are both outright maneuvers, such as whirlwind, as well as things we truely think of as feats, such as full use of warhorns.
Some of these, such as whirlwind and warstomp, will utilize the Expertise skill.
Tenetive examples:
- dual load
- whirlwind
- full use of warhorns
- full use of roar helms
- full use of sharksteeth
- ability to identify spells
Not a lot of information is currently available about them.
Chakrel
Chakrel will have more than the current 3 grades, and will empower or reduce the start up times for some meditations.
Creation of this, will likely reside under Stonecarving.
Skills
Barbarians will be required to learn the following skills for their abilities:
- Inner Fire skill: Affects how much your abilities drain or reduce your Inner Fire
- Augmentation skill: Affects the potency and duration of abilities thatbuff
- Warding skill: Affects the potency and duration of abilities that resist magic
- Debilitation skill: For roars, primarily
Expertise
This skill will not likely be useful during the initial stages of the new guild.
The current plan is for a Barbarian to pick a weapon type at level 1 at which they become an "expert," unlocking abilities with that weapon based on the Expertise skill. A second expertise will be gained at 70th circle, and a third at 150th.
Grandfathering
The current plan is for Inner Fire to be grandfathered at 1 rank/circle, with the others at about 50% of that. Despite the the low ranks, the system will be designed to be the power equivalent of the current system, so as not to disrupt existing players.