Elemental Spell Reform

[Jinrya-Geki]

Well, I wanted to give my two cents, but it ended up being way too long, so I've posted it separately here:
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...450#post693450

That one however uses the full elemental spell wheel for BLM/CNJ, and more soul-related / Astral-Umbral magics for Thaumaturges, as was originally the case. This is probably just because I don't especially care one way or the other as to who would be the dominant healing class pre-job, that both should have access to WHM and BLM, using previous spells + job specifics. First and foremost I want them to maintain their own themes, a Conjurer *conjuring* defenses and elements, while Thaumaturges magics lie in a more abstract Light/Dark style. As long as each fulfills the roll in a different and self-fitting manner, I couldn't care less that they can share role.

Please correct me if I am wrong. From what I have read, it looks like a very advanced form of the combo system. Such as if a mob is weak to earth, I would cast wind first, then an earth spell? The earth debris gets picked up by the wind spell hurling it at the enemy making it do more damage than just casting earth by itself?

[Shurrikhan]

Please correct me if I am wrong. From what I have read, it looks like a very advanced form of the combo system. Such as if a mob is weak to earth, I would cast wind first, then an earth spell? The earth debris gets picked up by the wind spell hurling it at the enemy making it do more damage than just casting earth by itself?

Right. Just with a lot more uses than that. Wind could just as easily affect Water or Fire, both dispersing it and causing the Water or Fire to deal damage through the Wind medium, probably while dealing even more damage from oxygenating old flames still on targets (not carried by the Wind). It's basically taking the most primary abilities and making a versatile artistry out of them.

Paired with changes to the physical systems, it could be paired with melee attacks as well. A Lancer could open a whole in the enemy armor, seconded by a Lightning or Water then Lightning (to increase the chance of bypassing the armor / not relying on critical accuracy), to blast the armor open. A Pugilist could then Demolish from behind, sending the armor particles flying. A percentage of that armor reduction can be picked up by any Wind spells moving in or through that area of effect, adding the penetrated armor count to Wind damage as piercing / slicing damage. Etc, etc.

Edit: in that exact circumstance, the Wind would only be needed if the mob, though weak to earth, was strong vs. ground attacks (Earth medium), likely through dodging. Other ways to deal with this would be Watera, Stonera to leave the mob floundering in mud, removing most of its dodge chance or effect. Or I could freeze it in place, then using the ice in that area for additional piercing damage via an Earth spell as soon as it's free, or just batter it as much as possible while it's frozen in place (refraining from using Earth and probably Fire at that time as to not break shatter or melt the ice prematurely).

Just realized I need to make an edit to that thread, regarding critical hits...

[Jinrya-Geki]

I like it. Alot more in-depth and entertaining than spamming thunder every fight.

[Shurrikhan]

I like it. Alot more in-depth and entertaining than spamming thunder every fight.

Heh. Glad to hear it. Btw, could you by any chance leave a reply on the thread? It appears I wrote it at the time of night when no one replies to anything lengthy, and as such it's already been pushed back to page 3 in New Posts.

Sorry to have to ask, but if you could I'd really appreciate it.