Varano wrote: ↑Fri 20 Jul 2018 1:28 AM
They DO have the longest side snare style in the game I believe.
Besides that I agree they are very under-powered.
They need growth rate looked at for sure.
Give them something, group end reduction? Stoicism? Static Tempest? Heal styles? Better Heal spells? Increase damage table? Charge? Advanced Evade? Group Melee heal proc buff?
At least 1 of those is really needed. Pick 1!
I think you're on the right track with some of these ideas. The changes Mythic made to the class in 2006(5?) were a disaster on the classic servers (Gareth/Lamorak/Ector). Far too often on OF shard forums I see people suggesting adding heal styles and all sorts of procs to bring the class into line. The goal of course being to bring their power level up and make them more viable in groups. The issue is these changes do nothing to earn them a spot in 8 man setups. Adding melee healing obviously increases their overall strength, but doesn't do nearly enough to earn them a slot over a specialist like a cleric or a merc/arms. The result is they remain unwanted in groups and become absolute terrors in solo/small man play.
How to approach them from a design perspective then? One possibility is you accept that they aren't going to be viable in groups and simply make QoL changes to make the class feel more streamlined. I think they are already in a good place for solo/small man (depending on the strength of buff potions, but that is a different discussion). If you want to try to potentially get them a slot in 8 mans you have to give them something that doesn't make them way too powerful in solo/small man play, but increases their situational strength significantly. This means no OP heal procs, no DD style procs, no cc, etc. Honestly this is extremely difficult to do properly, and might not even be worth the risk. Again, it is ok that the class doesn’t have a role in cookie cutter 8 mans.
Here are things I would consider changing off the top of my head to make the class feel better:
1. Rework styles. Put a LOW strength/longish duration HoT on Holy Staff. Adjust reactives/positionals: Their level 50 style should not be an off parry. This is laughable design especially considering evade takes priority when rolling defense. They also shouldn’t have two evade chains. One of these should be turned into a back chain.
2. Give them the ability to apply a short duration, incurable healing received reduction debuff on a positional style.
3. Group endo reduction. Unfortunately this impinges on Paladins usefulness significantly.
4. Create an ability that allows them to be supplemental healers while still maintaining their role as a melee fighter. Perhaps something like a 15 sec duration/45 sec recast self buff shout that pools the damage they do during the duration and applies it as a Divine Intervention type buff to other group members for the next 15-20 seconds.
5. Lower the spec level of the red resistance buffs.
When looking at a class I think it is important to avoid the Mythic approach of “give them a ton of shit and/or a leviathan equivalent to force them into 8 mans” and try to work within the theme of the class. Friars are strong soloers who can buff, heal, evade and do fairly good damage.
Last thought: The fact that the str/con debuff poison is instead a weaponskill debuff is a huge nerf to Friars as killing assassins is something they have traditionally excelled at. Clumsy change just to buff shadowblades in assassin duels.
. no heals styles other than the Holy staff and buff procs would be plenty. Disease always has been Friars bane when facing sneaks. If they dont use it, that is their mistake. Two evade chains are ok, 1 stuns, other has worthless bleed. I would rather have a rear snare than any side chain. getting to side of someone chasing healer rarely happens. Not asking for any Uber game changing over the top changes. But to rvr at current state is a bit miserable.
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