Empath/saved posts

Category: Empaths
Topic: Developer's Corner - Empaths
Message #: 1899
Author: GS4-WARDEN
Date: 11/14/2007 8:29:17 PM
Subject: Empath Design Direction

At the start of GS4, we announced that Empaths, as Mental-Spirit hybrids, would eventually be losing access to the Major Spirit list and gaining access to the Minor Mental list. At the time, Empaths were a strong service class with weak combat abilities, and our intention was that access to the Minor Mental list would help not only by emphasizing their hybrid Mental nature, but also by providing additional combat options to the class.

As part of our continued development of Empaths and looking forward to the Minor Mental list, we have re-evaluated the design direction and have decided to no longer pursue converting Empaths from Major Spirit to Minor Mental. This decision was not made lightly; it is based on a review of the current state of Empaths and the ramifications of the change in lists.

As we have continued development of Empaths in the years since the release of GS4, we have made substantial improvements to their combat abilities. Empaths can now hold their own in combat using spells such as Bone Shatter, Wither, Empathic Assault, and Harm. With Empaths no longer needing the Minor Mental list to address their shortcomings in combat, the need for and benefits of the conversion diminished substantially. The class is in good shape currently, and with the upcoming lore review, guild skills, and a handful of remaining open spell slots available for enhancing the class further, we consider making a foundational change to the class to be unwarranted. In a nutshell, we're following the maxim: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Some players may be wondering if this means the Minor Mental list is no longer planned for development. It absolutely is. Developing the Minor Mental list is one of our primary projects for 2008, in support of the release of the Monk class, and later, Savants.

This decision also does not mean that we no longer consider Empaths to be hybrids, or that their magic no longer has a Mental aspect to it. The Empath spell list (1100s) will certainly continue to reflect their Mental/Spirit hybrid nature in its spells.

Warden

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2

Category: Empaths
Topic: Developer's Corner - Empaths
Message #: 3034
Author: GS4-ESTILD
Date: 8/4/2008 1:48:14 AM
Subject: Re: Proposal: 1140 - Molecular Morph

I'm still in the 30 day period but not for much longer, and when I see GM posts that I should train in this or that, I do take it seriously. I just need to know what to give up.

We (staff) can't really tell you what to train in. One of the great things about role-playing games is that you get to make choices for your character's design. It's up to you to weigh the advantages and disadvantages for each skill.

I can tell you that expected core skill training for an Empath is both 1x in Mental and Spiritual Mana Control. Typically, this means we will design and evaluate abilities with the understanding that an Empath is trained as such, and by not following that expected training, it can cause less than desirable results for your character.

GameMaster Estild

Cleric/Empath Team

"I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly." - Michel de Montaigne