Post by Admin on Jun 18, 2015 15:58:19 GMT -8
So! Essentially, I've been taking a peek at a lot of the racial changes/updates so far in light of the 5th slowly but surely approaching - of course, I'm sure I'm not the only one! The initial planning stages for a new character can start quite early indeed.
To get to the point, I've started to get the impression that everything design-wise in relation to the Demon race is meant as a big, blinking neon sign that says 'we don't actually want any demons here'.
Now, I can see that, and totally understand it if that's exactly what you're going for, but I feel like simply disallowing them rather than making them an OOC stigma as well as IC would perhaps be a better bet. Either that, or taking a second look at the MASSIVE disadvantages one has to balance out if they wish to play a demon character.
Positive points:
Firstly, I agree wholeheartedly with the summoning aspect - dealing with demons comes with a cost, and a contract is a good way to ensure that. This way, players aren't just summoning demons left and right without giving it a second thought. Making that contract is essentially signing a death warrant for a character, in a very general sense. As well, the contract stipulating absolute obedience to a summoner really prevents the demon from acting on their own impulses and instincts; limiting, but definitely a good thing as well, especially in this setting.
Another excellent point to Demons is a distinct combat disadvantage when in their disguised form, or false form. This forces them to make tough decisions that could lead to very interesting RP. I -heartily- approve of a risk/reward system in that regard.
Wardens. Wardens, Wardens, Wardens. Demons, if ever discovered, are -hunted- in Valesk by an organization that has positive pull with just about everyone. This is dangerous. This is good, and limiting.
Negative points:
So, here's where I start getting the idea that demons are discouraged - five less trait points, and a severe limitation on how high any one trait can be. This is quite severe. If demons weren't a stigma hunted and despised by most anyone they come across, then sure, I could definitely go for it. But they are, and that implies that if even a hint of their existence gets out due to unfortunate circumstances, they're quickly going to find themselves fighting for their lives. Not just against Wardens, but against any good samaritan with a big enough sword and ego who feels like today is the day they get to be a demonslayer.
Considering that they already experience an extreme nerf to their abilities when in a false form, I feel this is almost a redundant disadvantage. Of course, the dice can always go either way...but considering the benefits many of the other races have, where is the satisfaction and benefit in essentially signing a death warrant for your character in order to bring a demonic servant into this plane? Especially considering that demonic servant in almost all cases is going to be weaker than the summoner!
With all of this in mind, I took a look at the Tiefling/Fey'ri definitions thus far, and came to a realization. Both racial definitions are so lenient in terms of physical characteristics that people can actually get away with recycling a demon character as a Tiefling or Fey'ri, without suffering the massive disadvantages of demons currently within this setting. Now, that's alright...if that's what you're going for. But this to me really kills the entire point of having Demons as a playable race in general. Why not simply try to rebalance Demons to be on the same scale as everyone else traitwise, so these half-breed races aren't abused to high hell? No pun intended.
Suggestions and Changes!:
So! Agree or disagree, I decided to do a bit of combing and number crunching in order to try and put forth some suggestions in terms of how to keep Demons interesting, relevant, and still as balanced as they possibly can be. This is what I came up with:
-Toss them 30 trait points to spend, with the same limitations each other race possesses.
-Further nerf false-form combat. Not only will the -1 Fighting, -2 Strength, -1 Reflexes, and -1 Resolve penalties still apply, but their false forms will be unable to do any higher than Medium Weapon damage. As well, their armor may not under any circumstances be considered higher than Medium rating while in false form. This is regardless of current armor/weapon, and Str/Fight ranks. It is purely a racial penalty stemming from the disguise they're forced to take. This I believe forces Demons to be very wary in action along the lines of what already had been accomplished. If they get themselves into an unenviable situation, they're very likely to lose a confrontation if they don't reveal themselves as Demons. Which of course in and of itself has severe repercussions, but I think the RP implications of being forced into such a choice are fantastic.
-Remove their wound bonus entirely. This I believe should be replaced by natural Large armor in True form. Unlike the elementals, this armor could be 'damaged' and reduced in rank by attacks. This armor, being natural, would 'regenerate' in much the same manner wounds would, but that regeneration would only begin after all wounds have been healed. If a Demon is wounded and their armor is damaged, their armor stays damaged until they've had time to fully recover from their wounds.
-Add in an either/or choice with the Evocation spell racial benefit they possess. Either one can choose that bonus, or they can choose to begin with a magical weapon which counts as one damage class higher than it normally would...assuming of course, it isn't massive. Since Demons aren't capable of receiving benefits from a certain magical 'school', I believe this simple bit of flexibility offers players an important choice. After all, while certainly considered supernatural creatures, not all Demons do their work with spellcasting! However...I do believe as a balancing factor, neither of these bonuses should function in the presence of a Holy artifact presented for the purpose of weakening the Demon.
Summary:
Hopefully that didn't come across as entirely rude, or anything of the like.
As much thought as I put into this, I'm quite aware that I might've made slip-ups with understanding the system, or failed to communicate a point effectively.
If this strikes an interesting chord, I'd certainly welcome any additions in terms of ideas! Or for that matter, any changes to what I've presented here.
Thanks for your time. c:
To get to the point, I've started to get the impression that everything design-wise in relation to the Demon race is meant as a big, blinking neon sign that says 'we don't actually want any demons here'.
Now, I can see that, and totally understand it if that's exactly what you're going for, but I feel like simply disallowing them rather than making them an OOC stigma as well as IC would perhaps be a better bet. Either that, or taking a second look at the MASSIVE disadvantages one has to balance out if they wish to play a demon character.
Positive points:
Firstly, I agree wholeheartedly with the summoning aspect - dealing with demons comes with a cost, and a contract is a good way to ensure that. This way, players aren't just summoning demons left and right without giving it a second thought. Making that contract is essentially signing a death warrant for a character, in a very general sense. As well, the contract stipulating absolute obedience to a summoner really prevents the demon from acting on their own impulses and instincts; limiting, but definitely a good thing as well, especially in this setting.
Another excellent point to Demons is a distinct combat disadvantage when in their disguised form, or false form. This forces them to make tough decisions that could lead to very interesting RP. I -heartily- approve of a risk/reward system in that regard.
Wardens. Wardens, Wardens, Wardens. Demons, if ever discovered, are -hunted- in Valesk by an organization that has positive pull with just about everyone. This is dangerous. This is good, and limiting.
Negative points:
So, here's where I start getting the idea that demons are discouraged - five less trait points, and a severe limitation on how high any one trait can be. This is quite severe. If demons weren't a stigma hunted and despised by most anyone they come across, then sure, I could definitely go for it. But they are, and that implies that if even a hint of their existence gets out due to unfortunate circumstances, they're quickly going to find themselves fighting for their lives. Not just against Wardens, but against any good samaritan with a big enough sword and ego who feels like today is the day they get to be a demonslayer.
Considering that they already experience an extreme nerf to their abilities when in a false form, I feel this is almost a redundant disadvantage. Of course, the dice can always go either way...but considering the benefits many of the other races have, where is the satisfaction and benefit in essentially signing a death warrant for your character in order to bring a demonic servant into this plane? Especially considering that demonic servant in almost all cases is going to be weaker than the summoner!
With all of this in mind, I took a look at the Tiefling/Fey'ri definitions thus far, and came to a realization. Both racial definitions are so lenient in terms of physical characteristics that people can actually get away with recycling a demon character as a Tiefling or Fey'ri, without suffering the massive disadvantages of demons currently within this setting. Now, that's alright...if that's what you're going for. But this to me really kills the entire point of having Demons as a playable race in general. Why not simply try to rebalance Demons to be on the same scale as everyone else traitwise, so these half-breed races aren't abused to high hell? No pun intended.
Suggestions and Changes!:
So! Agree or disagree, I decided to do a bit of combing and number crunching in order to try and put forth some suggestions in terms of how to keep Demons interesting, relevant, and still as balanced as they possibly can be. This is what I came up with:
-Toss them 30 trait points to spend, with the same limitations each other race possesses.
-Further nerf false-form combat. Not only will the -1 Fighting, -2 Strength, -1 Reflexes, and -1 Resolve penalties still apply, but their false forms will be unable to do any higher than Medium Weapon damage. As well, their armor may not under any circumstances be considered higher than Medium rating while in false form. This is regardless of current armor/weapon, and Str/Fight ranks. It is purely a racial penalty stemming from the disguise they're forced to take. This I believe forces Demons to be very wary in action along the lines of what already had been accomplished. If they get themselves into an unenviable situation, they're very likely to lose a confrontation if they don't reveal themselves as Demons. Which of course in and of itself has severe repercussions, but I think the RP implications of being forced into such a choice are fantastic.
-Remove their wound bonus entirely. This I believe should be replaced by natural Large armor in True form. Unlike the elementals, this armor could be 'damaged' and reduced in rank by attacks. This armor, being natural, would 'regenerate' in much the same manner wounds would, but that regeneration would only begin after all wounds have been healed. If a Demon is wounded and their armor is damaged, their armor stays damaged until they've had time to fully recover from their wounds.
-Add in an either/or choice with the Evocation spell racial benefit they possess. Either one can choose that bonus, or they can choose to begin with a magical weapon which counts as one damage class higher than it normally would...assuming of course, it isn't massive. Since Demons aren't capable of receiving benefits from a certain magical 'school', I believe this simple bit of flexibility offers players an important choice. After all, while certainly considered supernatural creatures, not all Demons do their work with spellcasting! However...I do believe as a balancing factor, neither of these bonuses should function in the presence of a Holy artifact presented for the purpose of weakening the Demon.
Summary:
Hopefully that didn't come across as entirely rude, or anything of the like.
As much thought as I put into this, I'm quite aware that I might've made slip-ups with understanding the system, or failed to communicate a point effectively.
If this strikes an interesting chord, I'd certainly welcome any additions in terms of ideas! Or for that matter, any changes to what I've presented here.
Thanks for your time. c:
