And you seem to ignore the difference between preferences and mechanics... Numbers, sadly do not lie. On a limited stat RPG system that immensely reward combination of skillsets the basic flaws are numerically obvious:
- 5 skillsets that scale and improve by a single stat = INT.
- 2 Mutually exclusive skillsets that improve with DEX. Each also requires a linked weapon skill to be able to scale in damage.
- STR only controls 1 skillset. As above, it requires an additional weapon skill to enjoy damage scaling.
- Range is an AP bonus. Some powers are designed ignoring this basic feature. The best example I found is comparing Scoundrel's "Cloak and Dagger" versus Markman's "Tactical Retreat". TR moves the character 3.75m per AP while CnD just 2.5m... And the final "touch" is realizing that, by the time a Scoundrel reaches CnD most likely has movement above 2.5m. The final paradox is that the higher cost power is assigned to a melee restricted set, while the cheaper is assigned to the ranged one. The same critical flaw happens on most melee special moves AP... They have the same or higher cost than their equivalent magical counterparts which, ofc, disregards completely the fact they require movement to reach the target.
- Linear benefits linked to increasing costs. Skillpoint-wise, to have a certain ammount of skill slots, is cheaper to have 2 skillsets at lower level than one at higher. This option can only be performed efficiently by mages because... Their 5 different skillset are controlled by the same attribute.
- Ranged attacks can be perfomed undisturbed at melee range.
So even without having to analyze each repertory of effects... Mages are more powerful simply because they have more stat points to allocate to "other things" (In particular AP pools) and far more efficient skill slots than the rest of the classes that are pigeonholed into a single skillset per stat.
Last edited by Khumoth; 09/11/14 01:01 AM.
