Empath/saved posts
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