[dev1040] Merit points adjustments

[Bayohne]

Greetings! I have some information to pass along in regards to the merit point adjustments! We looked into both groups 1 and 2 of the merit points and decided to make the following adjustments:
　

• Group 1
  As the first step we take, we’ll be reviewing point increases.
  　
• Group 2
  1. Abilities with an increased effect from the second step on
     We have no plans for adjustments for now.
     　
  2. Abilities with a shorter recast time from the second step on
     We plan on adjusting these abilities so that their effects are increased with each step, instead of having their recast time shortened with each step. The recast time that has been shortened up to the fifth step will be used.
     　
     The following are adjustments that do not deal with the effects of merit points.
     The below examples are for ease of reference.
     

     Ex 1: Devotion is raised to the fifth step
     Before: The recast time is shortened from 20 minutes to 10 minutes
     ↓
     After: Increased MP recovery
     *The recast time is fixed at 10 minutes

     Ex 2: Sange is raised to the fifth step
     Before: The recast time is shortened from 15 minutes to 5 minutes
     ↓
     After: Shadow images are no longer consumed
     *The recast time is fixed at 5 minutes
     *We are considering adding new shuriken

  3. Other
     If the above adjustments do not solve all of the problems, we'll look into adjusting the effects themselves.

Upon further development and consideration, the adjustments may change, but for now we plan on making the above adjustments. We will let you know when we decide on the details.

[Kristal]

Bayohne, could you please shed light on RDM group 2 merit changes?

Blind II, Paralyze II and Slow II are fine as is, but Dia III, Bio III and Phalanx II are and always have been utter broken.
Dia III, Bio III and Phalanx II are all crippled in duration and potency, UNLESS you get all 5 ranks in them.

I'm sure you are familiar with the community's spitefull response to the scheme used for the new weaponskills? That scheme was implemented several years earlier in half of the RDM group 2 merits.

[saevel]

Bayohne, could you please shed light on RDM group 2 merit changes?

Blind II, Paralyze II and Slow II are fine as is, but Dia III, Bio III and Phalanx II are and always have been utter broken.
Dia III, Bio III and Phalanx II are all crippled in duration and potency, UNLESS you get all 5 ranks in them.

I'm sure you are familiar with the community's spitefull response to the scheme used for the new weaponskills? That scheme was implemented several years earlier in half of the RDM group 2 merits.

Do you even play RDM?

Blind II -> utter crap due to monster accuracy formula
Paralyze II -> Good but everything it would be good on is resistant to it
Slow II -> Mediocre, but not bad

Phalanx II -> utter crap due to scaling formula
Bio III -> utter crap due to low dark magic skill (we have E skill rating)
Dia III -> Best enfeeble in the game, monster can't resist it and gives everyone an attack bonus

You have Slow II and Dia III as the useful ones. Rest are for procing VWNM or soloing.