Spell Disabler Review/saved posts

The official GemStone IV encyclopedia.
< Spell Disabler Review
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Initial Announcements

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191064189981163611
Author: GM Estild
Date: 12/31/23

Starting today, we'll be releasing a number of updates for spells that disable or debuff targets.

Goals:

  • Improve spell disablers so that magic has options available to set up and disable creatures.
  • Improve support builds for grouping by allowing experience for contributions in a standardized way.
  • Standardize effects and effect durations so combat flows more naturally and players aren’t forced to "take a timeout" for several minutes.
  • Improve Survival training by adding more utility.

General Updates:

  • Most spells that disable or debuff a single target will have a 2 second cast roundtime and a mana cost in the 1-5 range. AoE versions will remain at 3 seconds of cast roundtime, but most mana cost will be lowered to the 5-10 range.
  • Self-cast spells no longer force a TD reduction on the caster. This already applies for newer spells but some older ones still have this mechanic.
  • A few spells will not require a skill check and have automatic success unless the target is more than 10 levels above the attacker. Ascension creatures targets can go up to level 20 higher, but there's a 10% chance of failure for each level past 10. Subsequent attempts against the same Ascension target increases the odds of success by 20% for each attempt. e.g. the first attempt might have a 60% chance of failure, but the second attempt only has a 40%, the third a 20%, etc.
  • Some abilities will be updated to use the Standard Maneuver Roll (SMR).
  • All abilities which induce roundtime will use Stagger (cannot stack, but can refresh).

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191064219043516506
Author: GM Estild
Date: 12/31/23

Durations:

  • All negative effects will be normalized around a 30 second maximum duration. This mainly pertains to actual spells, but we'll also try to update creature abilities in the future too.
  • Base and minimum duration of 10 seconds.
  • Maximum duration of 30 seconds against characters and 60 seconds against creatures.
  • Warding and SMR spells/abilities will use (10 + ((end result - 100) / 5) * (1 against characters or 2 against creatures)) to determine the duration. e.g. a 140 end result would be (10 + (140 - 100) / 5)) = 18 seconds against a character and 36 seconds against a creature.
  • Training in Survival reduces the duration by the following:
    • Ranks 1-100: 1% per 5 ranks, up to 20%
    • Ranks 101+: 1% per 20 ranks, up to 10%
  • Kroderine Soul reduces the duration of magical effects by 25% and stacks (additively) with the Survival bonus.

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191064233245421608
Author: GM Estild
Date: 12/31/23

The following spells updates are live. Additional updates are pending, especially for spells that have single target and AoE versions, as updating their cast roundtime or mana costs involves additional complexity. Those will be announced once released. The entire Development team has worked through design, coding, and QC to make this update possibles.

Stun Relief (108):

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 3.

Unbalance (110)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.
  • Additional updates are pending.

Web (118)

  • Single target and room versions have moved from warding to the SMR.
  • Reduced SMR single target castRT to 2.
  • Reduced SMR single target mana cost to 5.
  • Reduced AoE version mana cost to 10. CastRT remains at 3.
  • CastRT and mana cost of the bolt version remain unchanged.
  • Uses new standard negative duration formula.

Spirit Dispel (119)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced base mana cost to 5.
  • When dispelling a spell, the mana cost is 1 mana for every 4 levels of the target spell, and +2 mana when the dispel doesn't match the sphere of the target spell. Every 75 skill in Mana Control (that matches the dispel type) reduces the mana cost by 1. Minimum of 1 mana and maximum of 5 mana.

Searing Light (135)

  • Reduced mana cost to 7.
  • Uses new standard negative duration formula.

Calm (201)

  • Reduced CastRT to 2.

Interference (212)

  • Updated to be auto-success.
  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 2.

Bind (214)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Frenzy (216)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 3.

Mass Interference (217)

  • Updated to be auto-success.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191064243869593681
Author: GM Estild
Date: 12/31/23

Mass Interference (217)

  • Updated to be auto-success.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Spiritual Abolition (230)

  • For each spell dispelled, the mana cost is 1 mana for every 4 levels of the target spell, and +2 mana when the dispel doesn't match the sphere of the target spell. Every 75 skill in Mana Control (that matches the dispel type) reduces the mana cost by 1. Minimum of 1 mana and maximum of 5 mana. The overall minimum is 10 mana and the overall maximum is 20 mana.

Blind (311)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 3.
  • Uses new standard negative duration formula.

Censure (316)

  • Reduce mana cost to 10.
  • Uses new standard negative duration formula.

Elemental Saturation (413)

  • Updated to be auto-success.
  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 2.

Elemental Dispel (417)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced base mana cost to 5.
  • When dispelling a spell, the mana cost is 1 mana for every 4 levels of the target spell, and +2 mana when the dispel doesn't match the sphere of the target spell. Every 75 skill in Mana Control (that matches the dispel type) reduces the mana cost by 1. Minimum of 1 mana and maximum of 5 mana.

Cold Snap (512)

  • Reduced mana cost to 10.

Elemental Disjunction (530)

  • For each spell dispelled, the mana cost is 1 mana for every 4 levels of the target spell, and +2 mana when the dispel doesn't match the sphere of the target spell. Every 75 skill in Mana Control (that matches the dispel type) reduces the mana cost by 1. Minimum of 1 mana and maximum of 5 mana. The overall minimum is 10 mana and the overall maximum is 20 mana.

Sounds (607)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Tangleweed (610)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Moonbeam (611)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Call Swarm (615)

  • Reduce castRT to 2.
  • Reduce mana cost to 5.

Mass Calm (619)

  • Reduced mana cost to 10.

Mind Jolt (706)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 4.

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191064250903429250
Author: GM Estild
Date: 12/31/23

Lullabye (1005)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.

Stunning Shout (1008)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Song of Depression (1015)

  • Reduced initial mana cost to 10.

Song of Rage (1016)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced initial mana cost to 3.

Song of Noise (1017)

  • Reduced initial mana cost to 10.

Empathy (1108)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Sympathy (1120)

  • Reduced mana cost to 10.

Powersink (1203)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 1.

Force Projection (1207)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Thought Lash (1210)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Confusion (1211)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 3.

Mental Dispel (1218)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced base mana cost to 5.
  • When dispelling a spell, the mana cost is 1 mana for every 4 levels of the target spell, and +2 mana when the dispel doesn't match the sphere of the target spell. Every 75 skill in Mana Control (that matches the dispel type) reduces the mana cost by 1. Minimum of 1 mana and maximum of 5 mana.

Vertigo (1219)

  • Reduced mana cost to 10.

Aura of the Arkati (1614)

  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Mystic Impedance (1708)

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 3.

Quake (1714)

  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Immolate (519) Update

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191171341366349895
Author: GM Sleken
Date: 12/31/23

Immolate, spell 519, has now been updated as part of the spell disabler review. The evoked casting roundtime is now 2 seconds. The evoked mana cost is now 5.

Corrupt Essence (703) Update

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191173632723001414
Author: GM Sleken
Date: 12/31/23

Corrupt Essence, spell 703, has now been updated as part of the spell disabler review. The single target casting roundtime is now 2 seconds.

Pain (711) Update

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191174671169753128
Author: GM Sleken
Date: 12/31/23

Pain, spell 711, has now been updated as part of the spell disabler review. The inflicted roundtime has been converted to stagger.

Additional Spell Updates

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191176209128767699
Author: GM Auchand
Date: 12/31/23

Prayer of Holding (301):

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to maximum 4.
  • Uses new standard negative duration formula.

Elemental Strike (415):

  • Converted to use Staggered.
  • Uses new standard negative duration formula.

Sleep (501):

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to maximum 5.
  • Converted to use Unconscious.
  • Uses new standard negative duration formula.

Slow (504):

  • Reduced single-target castRT to 2.
  • Reduced single-target mana cost to 1.
  • Uses new standard negative duration formula.

Hand of Tonis (505):

  • Warding stun version converted to use SMR.
  • Reduced stun castRT to 2.

Tremors (909):

  • Converted to use Feeble.
  • Reduced mana cost to 7.

Call Wind (912):

  • Converted to use Staggered.
  • Additionally applies Disengaged to targets.
  • Reduced mana cost to 8.

Sandstorm (914):

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 3.

Weapon Fire (915):

  • Reduced castRT to 2.
  • Reduced mana cost to 5.

Vertigo (1219):

  • Converted to use Staggered.
  • Reduced mana cost to 10.

Mindwipe (1225):

  • Reduced single-target castRT to 2.
  • Reduced single-target mana cost to 5, open-cast mana cost to 10.

Repentance (1615):

  • Converted to use Staggered.

Judgment (1630):

  • Converted to use Staggered.

GLOBAL: Disablers across the board have been updated with regard to experience contribution.

Minimum Level of Effectiveness

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191201216793948220
Author: GM Estild
Date: 12/31/23

We're trying something out new called Minimum Level of Effectiveness. For SMR (and eventually warding down the road), it will use the normal stats/skills to calculate the strength of an attack, but then compare that against a minimum that only uses your level, and use the greater of the two. We're roughly aiming for the latter to be about a 70% chance of success.

Formula

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191192498584961033
Author: GM Estild
Date: 12/31/23

Actually, for the updated spells that use SMR, they use ((spell ranks (from the affected circle) + Spell Aiming ranks) / 2).

Auto-Success Level Check vs. Grizzled/Boss Creatures

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1191479075710185472
Author: GM Estild
Date: 1/1/24

The auto success level check against targets levels 11-20 will now work on grizzled and boss creatures (in addition to the previous ascension creatures). Currently, the default messaging is the same on failure, but we're planning to update it so it's obvious when subsequent attempts might result in success.

Spell Power

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1192268134007185408
Author: GM Auchand
Date: 1/3/24

So, let's talk Spell Power! The new disabler spells that use SMR take into account your level and your spell circle ranks to produce to produce Spell Power, which is what determines your success at punishing your foes. Spell Aim ranks can add to your Spell Power, but they offer a much smaller contribution than spell circle ranks. Disablers have a bonus to success; AOE disablers have a smaller bonus to success. 410 (Ewave) and 435 (Major Ewave) have also been updated to be more forgiving for those of you on the 10-ranks-is-all-you-get bandwagon.

Pious Trial (1602) Update

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1192605668549603338
Author: GM Ivry
Date: 1/4/24

Pious Trial (1602) has been updated as part of the Spell Disabler Review. Converted to use Slowed.

Current Punch List

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1195452333572755607
Author: Tikba
Date: 1/12/24

okay here is the punch list from what I've seen in this thread (so some duplication of other posts)

611 costs 11 mana and casts in 3s Infusing disablers in paladin bonded weapons uses the old mana cost for how many charges can be infused rather than the updated mana cost SMR converted spells are less effective when cast via paladin weapon bonding compared to open casting 504 costs 1 mana unless there is an sigil script echo flare, in which case it costs 4 mana Finding the spell cost of 912/413 variable when there is a dispel flare from the sigil staff 517 costs 17 mana per orb cast now, when previously it was 1 mana for the additional casts. 504 no longer dispels fallen crusader haste buff 504/1602 Slowed cannot be dispelled dispels cost their original mana cost against apparatuses in the Hive 950 uses spell level rather than correct mana cost

not exactly bugs: Bard spell mana costs and cast times are not updated (this is known since it was rolled back after release) Slippery Mind dodges the new SMR/autosuccess spells despite saying it only works against warding spells(unclear if this is intended)

Ranger Spell Circle Updates

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1196353311981437038
Author: GM Mestys
Date: 1/15/24

In addition to the details previously mentioned in the initial pins ( (Official) Spell Disabler Review), the following updates to the Ranger Spell Circle are now live:

Sounds (607)

  • Now uses the standard auto-success level check.
  • Now uses the standard debuff duration cap (60 seconds for creatures, 30 seconds for players).

Tangleweed (610)

  • May now also be EVOKEd to summon the damaging version of the spell.

Breeze (612)

  • Reduced mana cost to 7 for AoE version.

Call Swarm (615)

  • Will now be properly mitigated by all forms of Resist Nature (620).

Unbalance (110), Calm (201), and Silence (210) Updates

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1191064189981163611/1196991488651956324
Author: GM Meraki
Date: 1/16/24

Unbalance (110), Calm (201), and Silence (210) have been updated as part of the Spell Disabler Review.

Unbalance (110)

  • Converted to SMR
  • Roundtime converted to Stagger effect
  • Removed self-cast bonus
  • Reduced mana cost to 5
  • Reduced castRT to 2
  • Updated previous lore benefit of a bonus to success margin to the following benefit: "Provides a chance to affect a second target in the room. No additional mana is required when it triggers." This benefit is similar to Elemental Strike (415)'s lore benefit.

Calm (201)

  • Applies Calmed effect to target
  • Removed self-cast bonus
  • Reduced castRT to 2
  • Unchanged: mana cost remains at 1.

Silence (210)

  • Applies Silence effect to target
  • Removed self-cast bonus
  • Reduced single target mana cost to 3
  • Reduced single target castRT to 2
  • Reduced AoE mana cost to 6.
  • Unchanged: AoE castRT remains at 3.