I was a bit busy to go on Dfans for a while with you know, life and all that being in the way.
I just read the article about followers only being available in single player because they crowd up the screen too much and that they are used as endgame MF tanks (in summary).
I still don't like the idea of not having any pets/mercs that aren't built into the character. I'm probably going to play as a Wizard most of the time and I want a merc/follower of SOME KIND because it makes the game cooler.. in general and its fun to customize them.
My thought process was like this: We need a merc/follower that doesn't crowd up the screen and doesn't deal massive damage that can change the game, yet still be useful for end gaming and fun to use.
Basically I thought that a follower with these traits could be called a "Spirit". Spirits aren't visible (all the time at least) and they won't deal damage, at least straight forward to the enemy. These are midgame - endgame followers that can only Buff you and they only do so on special occasions depending on which spirit you bought/earned
Before taunting the idea, read about it and think. This is a money sink for one. They can be customizable with magical charms, magicl armor etc .. whatever spirits use and they can buff you and protect you.
For instance:
The shield spirit could defend you're character from certain types of attacks and/or reduce the damage slightly from specific fire damage, ice, etc. It would be slight defense and would not be a game changer, but it could be tweaked with magical charms equipped to your spirit.
Haven't worked on details, but its just a rough idea. It would be an interesting idea to add to the game and still keep followers alive for multiplayer. They don't croud the screen, and can become visible above your head when activated for the few seconds they are used. They can't be spammed necessarily because the majority of itis passive, but what you equip decides how powerful they are. also leveling?
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"Not Even Death Can Save You From Me" ~ Diablo (II)
I agree with Igy. They have a problem and a simple (and a little annoying) solution. I can't imagine how an "Oak Sage" for everyone would be balanced - especially if there is no indication that you have x buff.
I like where this is going. Personally I think Blizzard has something planned to make multiplayer nightmare and hell as deep as singleplayer normal. The spirits are a good idea, but I don't think they should be limited to buffs/debuffs. Obviously they'll have to be well balanced so we don't have game changing effects but the more customisation they have, the better. Tanking is out so they'll be channelling in every couple of minutes or so to do their burst of spells.
Another idea, you could call the spirit through an item (destroying the item in the process) and a "lite" version of the items stats could be carried over to the spirit's chosen abilities.
@ Nestor - The effects should be subtle and I'm not sure if there will be a way to see what other players have equipped, so why does it matter if other players can't tell what spirit you're using? Besides this doesn't have to be for PvP, it can be something for Co-op.
I feel like they would have to change the lore and story a lot to make the whole spirit thing make sense. Why are these spirits following your hero? How do they fit into the story? I think Blizzard would have to either add stuff or rewrite stuff to make them fit. At this point, I don't think they have enough time to do this before release. Maybe in an expansion though.
I feel like they would have to change the lore and story a lot to make the whole spirit thing make sense. Why are these spirits following your hero? How do they fit into the story? I think Blizzard would have to either add stuff or rewrite stuff to make them fit. At this point, I don't think they have enough time to do this before release. Maybe in an expansion though.
Oh come now, are you saying that we've never seen a character in the Diablo universe follow adventures around being somewhat bound into following them. We have in the Sin War trilogy.
It like giving each class a equal skill... not fun.
So, you think that certain equipment and what not giving a + to a certain skill, like BO, or Teleport is fun? But because this is D3 it makes it different?
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Recruiting for East Realm Also recruiting for Sc2 on both EU and NA servers
I think they are trying to innovate too much and they are not grasping key elements of the game (mercenaries)
What they are trying to do, is get the people that are new to the Diablo series or who don't like playing with others, to see that it has it's benefits. Think of it as the Challenge Missions in StarCraft II. It sort of taught players the fundamentals of playing versus other players. Counters, build orders, micromanagement, etc.
All the Followers system is designed for is to get those lone players to get into co-op and see that it ain't no thang.
It like giving each class a equal skill... not fun.
So, you think that certain equipment and what not giving a + to a certain skill, like BO, or Teleport is fun?
This is 100% different. A equipament evolves a cost of oportunity, turning the cross class skills a strategic decision. For example, if you want your Zon to use Bear form you have to sacrifice all your bow and javelin skills. This is fun.
In D2 the corss classes skill that didnt work was execly the Teleport because it didn't evolve a cost of oportunity. Enigma is already one of the strongest armor, you don't sacrifice anything in order to use the teleportation. BO evolves the sacrifice of important off hand weapons (mana leeching weapons, widowmaker in pvp, a high resist shield or storm, etc).
A mercenary does not evolves any cost. You don't have to sacrifice anything of your character in order to play with a summon. By adding this is like letting all classes have a summon ability wich is boring.
If this spirit follower was a active skill found in a legendary armor and this armor have major drawbacks (like low armor and ststs) then i would agree with it.
I just think mercs and any similar systen don't work well unless the player have to choose use it or not use it and have pro/con in each situation. Mercs/followers as a "must have" feature is terrible, like the ones in D2.
It like giving each class a equal skill... not fun.
So, you think that certain equipment and what not giving a + to a certain skill, like BO, or Teleport is fun?
This is 100% different. A equipament evolves a cost of oportunity, turning the cross class skills a strategic decision. For example, if you want your Zon to use Bear form you have to sacrifice all your bow and javelin skills. This is fun.
In D2 the corss classes skill that didnt work was execly the Teleport because it didn't evolve a cost of oportunity. Enigma is already one of the strongest armor, you don't sacrifice anything in order to use the teleportation. BO evolves the sacrifice of important off hand weapons (mana leeching weapons, widowmaker in pvp, a high resist shield or storm, etc).
A mercenary does not evolves any cost. You don't have to sacrifice anything of your character in order to play with a summon. By adding this is like letting all classes have a summon ability wich is boring.
If this spirit follower was a active skill found in a legendary armor and this armor have major drawbacks (like low armor and ststs) then i would agree with it.
I just think mercs and any similar systen don't work well unless the player have to choose use it or not use it and have pro/con in each situation. Mercs/followers as a "must have" feature is terrible, like the ones in D2.
Thanks for clarifying. I see what you mean now. :Thumbs Up:
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Recruiting for East Realm Also recruiting for Sc2 on both EU and NA servers
oh please, they could easily add this into the lore.
For instance, its the dead spirit of ______ someone and they want to be put to rest and that will only happen when diablo dies for (what, the 4th time?)
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"Not Even Death Can Save You From Me" ~ Diablo (II)
What they are trying to do, is get the people that are new to the Diablo series or who don't like playing with others,
Which is what? 1% of the population that will be playing?
''lets make followers only available in single player, AND THEN make them suck in hell, that will get those @#$#ers to play multiplayer!''
I think it boils down to this, they didnt implement followers early enough in the game, and so its a balance issue/too many graphics on the screen issue.
If they planned it early on, they could have made them balanced, toned down their skills a little so there isnt too much jibbery joo skill effects flashing on the screen.
it's a multiplayer game, the follower is only inserted in the game to contribute to the multiplayer feeling in the lower levels, as stated by Blizzard. They're not meant to "buff" your character, that's what traits and skills are for.
Although in my personal opinion, followers to spice things up a bit, I wouldn't mind having a companion that only I could see that wouldn't necessarily contribute to the fight in any way, just a moral support so to say. Someone through whom you would get a closer contact to the game, personalize it a bit if you catch my drift.
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"The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep." Robert Frost, 1923
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I just read the article about followers only being available in single player because they crowd up the screen too much and that they are used as endgame MF tanks (in summary).
I still don't like the idea of not having any pets/mercs that aren't built into the character. I'm probably going to play as a Wizard most of the time and I want a merc/follower of SOME KIND because it makes the game cooler.. in general and its fun to customize them.
My thought process was like this: We need a merc/follower that doesn't crowd up the screen and doesn't deal massive damage that can change the game, yet still be useful for end gaming and fun to use.
Basically I thought that a follower with these traits could be called a "Spirit". Spirits aren't visible (all the time at least) and they won't deal damage, at least straight forward to the enemy. These are midgame - endgame followers that can only Buff you and they only do so on special occasions depending on which spirit you bought/earned
Before taunting the idea, read about it and think. This is a money sink for one. They can be customizable with magical charms, magicl armor etc .. whatever spirits use and they can buff you and protect you.
For instance:
The shield spirit could defend you're character from certain types of attacks and/or reduce the damage slightly from specific fire damage, ice, etc. It would be slight defense and would not be a game changer, but it could be tweaked with magical charms equipped to your spirit.
Haven't worked on details, but its just a rough idea. It would be an interesting idea to add to the game and still keep followers alive for multiplayer. They don't croud the screen, and can become visible above your head when activated for the few seconds they are used. They can't be spammed necessarily because the majority of itis passive, but what you equip decides how powerful they are. also leveling?
In progress: Barbarian, WD
Another idea, you could call the spirit through an item (destroying the item in the process) and a "lite" version of the items stats could be carried over to the spirit's chosen abilities.
@ Nestor - The effects should be subtle and I'm not sure if there will be a way to see what other players have equipped, so why does it matter if other players can't tell what spirit you're using? Besides this doesn't have to be for PvP, it can be something for Co-op.
Hey... Hey... Hey... Hey...
(20 hours later)
Diablo please for the love of god Kill her!
Oh come now, are you saying that we've never seen a character in the Diablo universe follow adventures around being somewhat bound into following them. We have in the Sin War trilogy.
It like giving each class a equal skill... not fun.
Recruiting for East Realm
Also recruiting for Sc2 on both EU and NA servers
Bod home Page
why doesn't blizzard just stick with normal, melee, mercenaries?
I think they are trying to innovate too much and they are not grasping key elements of the game (mercenaries)
Which Final Fantasy Character Are You?
Final Fantasy 7
What they are trying to do, is get the people that are new to the Diablo series or who don't like playing with others, to see that it has it's benefits. Think of it as the Challenge Missions in StarCraft II. It sort of taught players the fundamentals of playing versus other players. Counters, build orders, micromanagement, etc.
All the Followers system is designed for is to get those lone players to get into co-op and see that it ain't no thang.
This is 100% different. A equipament evolves a cost of oportunity, turning the cross class skills a strategic decision. For example, if you want your Zon to use Bear form you have to sacrifice all your bow and javelin skills. This is fun.
In D2 the corss classes skill that didnt work was execly the Teleport because it didn't evolve a cost of oportunity. Enigma is already one of the strongest armor, you don't sacrifice anything in order to use the teleportation. BO evolves the sacrifice of important off hand weapons (mana leeching weapons, widowmaker in pvp, a high resist shield or storm, etc).
A mercenary does not evolves any cost. You don't have to sacrifice anything of your character in order to play with a summon. By adding this is like letting all classes have a summon ability wich is boring.
If this spirit follower was a active skill found in a legendary armor and this armor have major drawbacks (like low armor and ststs) then i would agree with it.
I just think mercs and any similar systen don't work well unless the player have to choose use it or not use it and have pro/con in each situation. Mercs/followers as a "must have" feature is terrible, like the ones in D2.
Recruiting for East Realm
Also recruiting for Sc2 on both EU and NA servers
Bod home Page
For instance, its the dead spirit of ______ someone and they want to be put to rest and that will only happen when diablo dies for (what, the 4th time?)
Which is what? 1% of the population that will be playing?
''lets make followers only available in single player, AND THEN make them suck in hell, that will get those @#$#ers to play multiplayer!''
I think it boils down to this, they didnt implement followers early enough in the game, and so its a balance issue/too many graphics on the screen issue.
If they planned it early on, they could have made them balanced, toned down their skills a little so there isnt too much jibbery joo skill effects flashing on the screen.
Although in my personal opinion, followers to spice things up a bit, I wouldn't mind having a companion that only I could see that wouldn't necessarily contribute to the fight in any way, just a moral support so to say. Someone through whom you would get a closer contact to the game, personalize it a bit if you catch my drift.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
Robert Frost, 1923