Skills rebalance proposal - Revision history

Voland: /* Introduction and purpose */

2021-03-06T12:09:16Z

Introduction and purpose

Voland: /* Introduction and purpose */

2021-03-06T12:06:31Z

Introduction and purpose

Voland: /* Introduction and purpose */

2021-03-06T11:54:55Z

Introduction and purpose

Voland: /* Suggested change */

2021-03-06T08:16:26Z

Suggested change

Voland: /* Advanced Lasers */

2021-03-06T08:14:28Z

Advanced Lasers

Voland: /* Issues */

2021-03-06T08:11:44Z

Issues

Voland: /* Issues */

2021-03-06T08:11:27Z

Issues

Voland: /* Issues */

2021-03-06T08:10:47Z

Issues

Voland: /* Certain AI behaviors */

2021-03-06T08:05:57Z

Certain AI behaviors

Voland: /* Certain AI behaviors */

2021-03-06T08:02:49Z

Certain AI behaviors

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 Some common themes:
-#Stacking damage buffs (from the skills [[file:Bloodlust.png|30px|link=#Bloodlust]] [[#Bloodlust]], [[file:Brawler.png|30px|link=#Brawler]] [[#Brawler]] and [[File:Sneak attack.png|30px|link=#Sneak Attack]] [[#Sneak Attack]], the personal perk [[file:Reckless.png|30px|link=personal perks#reckless|Reckless]] [[personal perks#reckless|Reckless]] and weapon profiencies perks, the [[Phoenix Project research#Vivisection|Vivisection]] and [[Synedrion Research#Moon Data analysis (1000)|Moon Data Analysis]]) and mixing them with skills/abilities that reduce [[Combat#aps|AP]] cost ([[file:Adrenaline_rush.png|30px|link=#Adrenaline Rush|Adrenaline Rush]] [[#Adrenaline Rush]], [[file:boom_blast.png|30px|link=#Boom Blast|Boom Blast]] [[#Boom Blast]], [[file:Vengeance torso25.jpg|x30px|link=#Vengeance Torso]] [[#Vengeance Torso]], [[file:quick_aim.png|30px|link=#Quick Aim|Quick Aim]] [[#Quick Aim]] and [[file:rage_burst.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#rage burst|Rage Burst]] [[classes and Skills#rage burst|Rage Burst]]) can result in absurdly high [[Combat#dps|DPS]]. <b>This is can be appreciated in the [[combat#Damage Map|'damage map' presented here]]</b>. Absurdly high damage is not fun, because it renders any challenge trivial
+#Stacking damage buffs (from the skills [[file:Bloodlust.png|30px|link=#Bloodlust]] [[#Bloodlust]], [[file:Brawler.png|30px|link=#Brawler]] [[#Brawler]] and [[File:Sneak attack.png|30px|link=#Sneak Attack]] [[#Sneak Attack]], the personal perk [[file:Reckless.png|30px|link=personal perks#reckless|Reckless]] [[personal perks#reckless|Reckless]] and weapon profiencies perks, the [[Phoenix Project research#Vivisection|Vivisection]] and [[Synedrion Research#Moon Data analysis (1000)|Moon Data Analysis]]) and mixing them with skills/abilities that reduce [[Combat#aps|AP]] cost ([[file:Adrenaline_rush.png|30px|link=#Adrenaline Rush|Adrenaline Rush]] [[#Adrenaline Rush]], [[file:boom_blast.png|30px|link=#Boom Blast|Boom Blast]] [[#Boom Blast]], [[file:Vengeance torso25.jpg|x30px|link=#Vengeance Torso]] [[#Vengeance Torso]], [[file:quick_aim.png|30px|link=#Quick Aim|Quick Aim]] [[#Quick Aim]] and [[file:rage_burst.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#rage burst|Rage Burst]] [[classes and Skills#rage burst|Rage Burst]]) can result in absurdly high [[Combat#dps|DPS]]. <b>This can be appreciated in the [[combat#Damage Map|'damage map' presented here]]</b>. Absurdly high damage is not fun, because it renders any challenge trivial
 #Things that are OP as part of a meta-build are often of little use outside of it, not fitting the 'natural' role of the class
 #Things that are OP are often not 'tactical' because they render mute a choice between different alternatives

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 The discussions focused on issues, rather than solutions. Some suggestions appear to be generally well-liked, while others are only liked by a few; as a rule, these suggestions should be taken as attempts at solving the issues, rather than as preferred solutions.
-This is, of course, not a comprehensive list of everything that could be improved in the tactical layer. Also, if this exercise proves useful, a similar one could be carried for the Geoscape/Strategic layer.
+This is, of course, not a comprehensive list of everything that could be improved in the tactical layer, but of the most pressing issues that diminish or prevent the enjoyment of the game by the more 'tactically' inclined players (as contrasted with players coming from the 'RPG' end of the playerbase), particularly those with some experience of the game.
 ==Summary==

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 =Introduction and purpose=
-This document is solely for discussion purposes among players, primarily in the Community Council. This is an attempt at identifying OP skills (and a few other items), describing why they are OP and presenting suggestions.
+This document is solely for discussion purposes among players, primarily in the Community Council. This is an attempt at identifying OP skills (and a few other items in the tactical layer), describing why they are OP and presenting suggestions.
 Some common themes:
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 The discussions focused on issues, rather than solutions. Some suggestions appear to be generally well-liked, while others are only liked by a few; as a rule, these suggestions should be taken as attempts at solving the issues, rather than as preferred solutions.
-==Summary==
+This is, of course, not a comprehensive list of everything that could be improved in the tactical layer. Also, if this exercise proves useful, a similar one could be carried for the Geoscape/Strategic layer.
 ===Skills===

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 <code>Gain [[Priest weapons|viral weapons]] [[combat#proficiency|proficiency]] with +20% [[combat#Standard Damage|damage]] and [[character Development#accuracy|accuracy]]</code>
-<i>Reasoning: although this is faction technology and there are only 2 variants, it is quite common to have a bunch of Redeemers dropped by [[file:Triton icon.png|30px|link=Tritons]] [[Tritons]] and [[file:Priest training.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#Priest|Priest]] [[classes and Skills#Priest|Priests]], so even players who don't align with [[file:anu.png|30px|link=Disciples of Anu]] [[Disciples of Anu]] could make use of them. The weapons are low damage and can take a 20% buff</i>
+<i>Reasoning: although this is faction technology and there are only 2 variants, it is quite common to have a bunch of [[File:1redeemer.png|30px|link=Priest weapons|Redeemer]] [[Priest weapons|Redeemers]] dropped by [[file:Triton icon.png|30px|link=Tritons]] [[Tritons]] and [[file:Priest training.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#Priest|Priest]] [[classes and Skills#Priest|Priests]], so even players who don't align with [[file:anu.png|30px|link=Disciples of Anu]] [[Disciples of Anu]] could make use of them. The weapons are low damage and can take a 20% buff</i>
 ==[[file:frenzied.png|30px|link=|Frenzy]] Frenzy==

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 ===Suggested change===
-Require [[New Jericho Research#Advanced Technician Weapons (800)|Advanced Technician Weapons research]] in addition to [[file:Synedrion.png|30px|link=Synedrion]] [[Synedrion Research#Laser Weapons (200)|Laser Weapons technology]].
+#Require [[New Jericho Research#Advanced Technician Weapons (800)|Advanced Technician Weapons research]] in addition to [[file:Synedrion.png|30px|link=Synedrion]] [[Synedrion Research#Laser Weapons (200)|Laser Weapons technology]] as a prerequisite for [[Phoenix Project research#Advanced Laser Technology (1200)|Advanced Laser Technology]].
+#Reduce damage of [[File:1destiny3.png|40px|link=heavy weapons#destiny|Destiny III]] [[heavy weapons#destiny|Destiny III]] to 60-70 per shot, reduce ammo to 9-18, increase cost of ammo. Lack of [[Combat#proficiency|proficiency]] should have an impact in use - either chance to [[Combat#fumble|fumble]] or reduce burst to 2 from 3.
-Reduce damage of [[File:1destiny3.png|40px|link=heavy weapons#destiny|Destiny III]] [[heavy weapons#destiny|Destiny III]] to 60-70 per shot, reduce ammo to 9-18, increase cost of ammo. Lack of [[Combat#proficiency|proficiency]] should have an impact in use - either chance to [[Combat#fumble|fumble]] or reduce burst to 2 from 3.
+#Reduce damage (burst and damage per shot; or perhaps give all [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] a burst of 8 and reduce damage) of all turrets, ammo (3 shots per mag? To make reloading during a mission something necessary), make AI ignore them, and break if stepped on.
+#Reduce damage of [[File:1gorgon.png|40px|link=technician weapons#gorgon|Gorgon Eye-A]] [[technician weapons#gorgon|Gorgon Eye-A]] to 35 (making it a 12.5% increase, vs current 25% vs lower tier [[Technician weapons|Personal Defense Weapons]])
 ==[[file:Biochemist.png|30px|link=personal perks#biochemist|Biochemist]] [[personal perks#biochemist|Biochemist]]==

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 ## they deal very high damage and are very accurate; they are an extra soldier that you carry around in your backpack
 ## make for small targets and are well protected, so difficult to destroy for most enemies; compared to their firepower it naturally creates a certain imbalance (very damaging, highly protected unit that can be added to the battlefield anytime)
-## AI handles [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] (and [[infiltrator weapons#arachni|Drones]]) very badly, acting like extreme version of [[file:deploy decoy.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#deploy decoy|Deploy Decoy]] [[classes and Skills#deploy decoy|Deploy Decoy]], except it shoots and hard to kill; as such [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] can draw a lot of enemy fire and take a lot of it, and they have [[file:return fire.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#Return Fire|Return Fire]] [[classes and Skills#Return Fire|Return Fire]] too (see [[#Certain AI Behaviors]])
+## AI handles [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] (and [[infiltrator weapons#arachni|Drones]]) very badly, acting like extreme version of [[file:deploy decoy.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#deploy decoy|Deploy Decoy]] [[classes and Skills#deploy decoy|Deploy Decoy]], except it shoots and hard to kill; as such [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] can draw a lot of enemy fire and take a lot of it, and they have [[file:return fire.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#Return Fire|Return Fire]] [[classes and Skills#Return Fire|Return Fire]] too (see [[#Certain AI behaviors]])
 ## Can be abused to extreme degrees with [[file:Manual control.png|30px|link=#Manual Control]] [[#Manual Control]]
 #[[File:1gorgon.png|40px|link=technician weapons#gorgon|Gorgon Eye-A]] [[technician weapons#gorgon|Gorgon Eye-A]] has too high [[Combat#dps|DPS]] for an accuracy comparable to that of an [[assault weapons|assault rifle]].

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 ===Issues===
-#[[Phoenix Project research#Advanced Laser Technology (1200)|Advanced Laser Technology]] only requires basic [[file:Synedrion.png|30px|link=Synedrion]] [[Synedrion]] and [[file:NJ.png|30px|link=New Jericho]] [[New Jericho]] research. As reaching aligned diplomacy status with both factions is very easy for experienced players, usually they get them before obtaining the inferior piercing technology variants of these weapons ([[New Jericho Research#Advanced Technician Weapons (800)|Advanced Technician Weapons]]) and often at the same time as they gain access to basic variants.
+#[[Phoenix Project research#Advanced Laser Technology (1200)|Advanced Laser Technology]] only requires basic [[file:Synedrion.png|30px|link=Synedrion]] [[Synedrion]] and [[file:NJ.png|30px|link=New Jericho]] [[New Jericho]] [[geoscape#Research|Research]]. As reaching [[geoscape#aligned|aligned diplomacy status]] with both factions is very easy for experienced players, usually they get them before obtaining the inferior piercing technology variants of these weapons ([[New Jericho Research#Advanced Technician Weapons (800)|Advanced Technician Weapons]]) and often at the same time as they gain access to basic variants.
-#All turrets are OP:
+#All [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] are OP:
 ## they deal very high damage and are very accurate; they are an extra soldier that you carry around in your backpack
 ## make for small targets and are well protected, so difficult to destroy for most enemies; compared to their firepower it naturally creates a certain imbalance (very damaging, highly protected unit that can be added to the battlefield anytime)
-## AI handles turrets (and drones) very badly, acting like extreme version of [[file:deploy decoy.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#deploy decoy|Deploy Decoy]] [[classes and Skills#deploy decoy|Deploy Decoy]], except it shoots and hard to kill; as such turrets can draw a lot of enemy fire and take a lot of it, while returning fire
+## AI handles [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] (and [[infiltrator weapons#arachni|Drones]]) very badly, acting like extreme version of [[file:deploy decoy.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#deploy decoy|Deploy Decoy]] [[classes and Skills#deploy decoy|Deploy Decoy]], except it shoots and hard to kill; as such [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] can draw a lot of enemy fire and take a lot of it, and they have [[file:return fire.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#Return Fire|Return Fire]] [[classes and Skills#Return Fire|Return Fire]] too (see [[#Specific AI Issues]])
 ## Can be abused to extreme degrees with [[file:Manual control.png|30px|link=#Manual Control]] [[#Manual Control]]
 #[[File:1gorgon.png|40px|link=technician weapons#gorgon|Gorgon Eye-A]] [[technician weapons#gorgon|Gorgon Eye-A]] has too high [[Combat#dps|DPS]] for an accuracy comparable to that of an [[assault weapons|assault rifle]].

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 #[[combat#recover|Recover]]: enemies cast [[combat#recover|Recover]] when with recovered status, missing their chance to act when afflicted by [[file:virused.png|30px|link=Damage types#Virus Damage|Virus Damage]] [[Damage types#Virus Damage|Virus Damage]].
 #Healing: human enemies obsessed with healing themselves and friendlies, will even run into fire to heal a friendly.
-#[[Technician weapons|Turrets]] and Drones: enemies prioritize attacking [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] and Drones, which are hard to hit (also, [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] have [[file:return fire.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#Return Fire|Return Fire]] [[classes and Skills#Return Fire|Return Fire]])
+#[[Technician weapons|Turrets]] and [[infiltrator weapons#arachni|Drones]]: enemies prioritize attacking [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] and [[infiltrator weapons#arachni|Drones]], which are hard to hit (also, [[Technician weapons|Turrets]] have [[file:return fire.png|30px|link=classes and Skills#Return Fire|Return Fire]] [[classes and Skills#Return Fire|Return Fire]])
 #[[file:Triton icon.png|30px|link=Tritons]]  [[Tritons]] with [[file:blood_sucking_arm.png|x30px|link=Tritons#blood|Blood Sucking Arms]] [[Tritons#blood|Blood Sucking Arms]]: prioritize healing over killing potential; the [[file:Triton icon.png|30px|link=Tritons|Triton]]  will attack targets with full [[character Development#hps|HP]] instead of killing a weakened operative. This accomplishes very little, as the [[file:Triton icon.png|30px|link=Tritons|Triton]] will be killed next turn.
 #Last step out of cover: enemies use last movement point to step out of cover
@@ Line 550: / Line 550: @@
 #Enemies should use turn with recovered status to act
 #Enemies shouldn't heal unless they have less than 50% [[character Development#hps|HP]]
-#Ranged enemies should ignore drones and [[Technician weapons|Turrets]]
+#Ranged enemies should ignore [[infiltrator weapons#arachni|Drones]] and [[Technician weapons|Turrets]]
 #[[file:Triton icon.png|30px|link=Tritons]]  [[Tritons]] with [[file:blood_sucking_arm.png|x30px|link=Tritons#blood|Blood Sucking Arms]] [[Tritons#blood|Blood Sucking Arms]] should prioritize attacking enemies with low [[character Development#hps|HP]]
 #Don't take the last step 🙂