Runestaff/saved posts
Runestaff Update I
Topic: Magic Systems
Message #: 195
Author: GS4-ESTILD
Date: 10/10/2011 06:04 PM CEST
Subject: Runestaff Updates
In order to make runestaves more attractive, we've made a few updates which will go live later this evening.
First, a runestaff's enchantment bonus will add directly to a player's defense in all stances.
Second, we now have a few merchant services for runestaves. All of the services are flares which can trigger when casting a spell.
1.) Crit flares: heat, cold, electric, acid, impact, etc.
2.) Acuity flares: these are flares which trigger to provide a bonus to the caster's AS/CS for a single attack. The amount is a static attribute of the runestaff which can be further increased as a scalable service. For example, you could have a 4x/2x acuity runestaff, which provides +20 DS in all stances and has a chance to flare +10 AS/+6 CS (the CS value is always 3/5 of the AS). Acuity enchant ranges from 1 to 10x, with 1x being fairly common and 10x be extremely rare.
3.) Mana flares: these are flares which trigger after a spell is cast to return mana to the caster. The amount of mana is a static attribute of the runestaff which can be further increased as a scalable service. It ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 being fairly common and 5 being extremely rare.
Mana flares can trigger when casting any spell. The other flare types only work on single target, war spells. All current runestaves with flares will see their flares become functional with spells once this goes live. Past that, this service will debut at this year’s Ebon Gate, then be available at other special events, through the treasure system, Premium Points, the Adventure’s Guild, and from many other places.
Lastly, holy water flares from Bless Item (304) will work on runestaves. Each time a player casts a spell that can trigger the flare, it will deplete a charge from the runestaff.
GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team
Runestaff Update II
Topic: Magic Systems
Message #: 199
Author: GS4-ESTILD
Date: 10/10/2011 06:27 PM CEST
Subject: Re: Runestaff Updates
KRAKII
Do I interpret this to mean that when someone:
- swings a runestaff, it can flare? (Already existed.)
- casts an AS-type spell (bolt/ball), it can flare? (I cast FireBolt, my rhimar cold-based runestaff gives a cold flare?)
- casts a CS-type spell (Mana Disrupt, Smite/Bane), it can flare?
Yes to all three of those questions.
KRAKII
I'm assuming that flares will be with the same frequency that they are for weapon swings?
No, runestaff flares (when casting a spell) have a decreased chance to flare vs. other weapon flares. This is because all spells are cast within 3 seconds and have some of the highest damage factors in the game.
GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team
Runestaff Update III
Topic: Magic Systems
Message #: 214
Author: GS4-ESTILD
Date: 10/10/2011 10:31 PM CEST
Subject: Re: Runestaff Updates
LADYFLEUR
This sounds neat. Do the holy water flares stack with other flare types, or can holy water flares only be used on plain, non-flaring runestaves?
They do not stack. It's just like blessing a regular weapon.
LADYFLEUR
Does the acuity enchant affect the maximum enchant that the runestaff can be, as TD affects DS?
No.
DELCIAN
Would it be possible to see the updated runstaff DS formula?
It's the same as http://www.play.net/gs4/info/combat_guide/factors.asp#parry except for the part about weapon enchant, which is now different for runestaves (applies to all stances).
KRAKII
The mana-return & the CS/AS (for bolt/ball spells) boosts certainly seem like merchant services to me.
But the first point, elemental flares, I interpreted as simply being, "If your runestaff has flares-as-a-weapon, it can also now flare-as-a-spellcast as well."
Yes, Elemental Blade (411) will work to grant flares. However, all crit flares offered by a merchant are superior; not only because they're permanent, but because Elemental Blade and Bless Item (304) flares are inherently weaker. The former does less damage and the latter flares less often.
Rolfard
How does this effect the runestaffs that are are sung as "defenders"?
Such runestaves will continue to offer a defense advantage vs. non-defender runestaves. Specifically, if you have a 4x/1x defender runestaff, after the update, your runestaff will offer +25 DS in all stances while a normal 4x runestaff will only offer +20.
GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team
Calm, Sleep, and Lullabye
Topic: Magic Systems
Message #: 256
Author: GS4-ESTILD
Date: 10/11/2011 11:03 PM CDT
Subject: Re: Runestaff Updates
Crit (heat, cold, etc) flares will no longer trigger when casting Calm (201), Sleep (501), and Lullabye (1005). Previously, any such flare would immediately undo the spell effect, so this will prevent a player from having to recast.
GameMaster Estild
Cleric/Empath Team