This may make me a bit unpopular, but here goes!
Have you guys at Larian ever considered putting casting delays on spells? I know that mages eventually encounter enemies that resist their spells but come on! I can spam spells literally as fast as I can click! Anyone else think this is a little unfair (especially early on)?
I once considred playing an archer type charatcer but soon realized that I could play a mage and get the job done a lot faster. Bows fire at a snails pace compared to the ranged spells in the game.
Slowing down these speed demon spells would also make summoning become more useful. As of now, who needs a meat shield when you can just freeze/blind/slow/cage stuff and machinegun it to death with spells.
Aestetically speaking, I'd like it if mages were less like fireball hurling, spike perforating machine guns and more methodical. It may take a few seconds to cast a spell, but maybe make them more area effect based. I was somewhat disappointed with this in DD. Most of the spells are rapid fire single target as opposed to "Chant an Incantation for a couple seconds, gesture, cast, kill hoards of enemies". (ie Baldur's Gate) In my mind, thats the point of being a mage in most RPGs. Slower on the draw but when they unleash their power, heaven help those who are in the way! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/badsmile2.gif" alt="" />
They don't have to be slowed down too much, as DD and further games are probaly going to be heavily combat based. Maybe make some faster, but less damaging. Make some truly damaging "nukes" that take a second or two to cast but rain death on several enemies at once.
Thoughts?
