New familiar idea (in General)

I was arguing, like I usually do, in the Mage GA/AMF imbalance. thread and it gave me a new idea for a familiar...

The Lich Familiar

When hit by anything, it drains ST/DX stats from its aggressor (defensive DX and PTH included). It would be like opposite of a ToA. It's draining ability could be considered like a DD spell to also make it affective against the Mageseeker.

What do you think?

How does one kill it?

I'm guessing it still takes damage, but drains the ST/DX anyway? Now, if it gets hit by a deathly blow, does it still retaliate?

Yes, it would have HP just like other familiars so it would be killed by damage.

As for draining stats when receiving a killing blow, I haven't thought that far. I guess it would depend on how much it would be able to drain.

If it drains stats to smithereens when not killed : No drain when killed.

If it drains stats by bits at a time: Also drains stats when killed.

;) interesting idea :) develop it hehe i have no idea what to add

Oooh... I likie... very much. Great idea Talion. I really think you have something here. This would allow mages to use their exp without so much fear of enemy tanks killing them immediately.

There are few things that would need sorting out though...

(1) How would AMF affect it, if it affects it at all?
(2) How much HP should it be given? Something like the Hal and Jig, or like other DD familiars?

I am sure other things will come up that need sort out, but the base idea is simple enough.

I think it's okay. But if you want anything to go through, you need to thoroughly think everything out and post it, so it would even be considered. If you (and other people, I got nothing) can figure it out to work properly, it'll have a shot.

Any volunteers?

If I get a few people willing to elaborate on this idea, I will create a URL and keep it up to date until we have everything ironed out.

Here is the first draft of my idea for this familiar...

A Lich Familiar

If anyone has any comments or extra ideas, let me know through CM and I will progressively build the HTML document into something presentable and logical.

I just thought of a much much much simpler tattoo idea that could easily be implemented by tweaking existing code...

A Tattoo of Divinity

Oh yeah!

So, if I get it right, the Lich drains a percentage of it's level in DX/STR every time it's touched by any damage?

Or does it drain the same percentage of stats every round after it has been hit?

I may be repeating things already said but then

option 1 : When killed, nothing changes.

option 2: Drain stops at death of lich and stats go back to normal.

AMF's role would be to lower the tattoo's level percentage used to calculate stat drain.

Your own DM could reduce the effectiveness of the tattoo, too.

so a pl battery that defends and sucks the strength of its opponents to live?

"it drains ST/DX stats from its aggressor" we have this already it's called EC, and it works pretty darned good. :)

But EC always triggers, and triggers once, while the Lich reacts to damage, and can do so several times in battle.

Also, EC is weak versus DM, while this would be weak versus AMF, since as Talion stated, it would be considered DD.

Dunno, I can see it bringing some strategy choices there.

EC isn't weak against DM.


True there is a spell already called EC, but EC<ToA especially against single tanks.

Talion, your ToD would just make RoBFs even more useless, because they sort of reflect damage, so if this tattoo comes into play, well then, it's a goner.

Then it should replace the RoBF, as it is a goner already. *grins*

That works. ;)

Ashilator:

- Damage would be per round, on every minion that manages to hit it.

- When killed, stats drain on enemy minions remains. Else it would be too weak.

To others:

- Actually, either tattoo would probably mean the end of the RoBF. Which would not really be a bad thing.

Ashilizator:

Apologies for getting your name wrong in the previous post. :(

I say drop the 'Extra Endurance' factor. Part of the strategic element will be finding a way where it can stick around long enough to be of some use.

Ok, makes sense.

Also, I forgot to mention on the page that the familiar would get targeted by Mageseekers as if it was using a DD spell.

I will modify the HTML page tomorrow.

Definition of the Lich Familiar has been updated using most recent feedback.

"True there is a spell already called EC, but EC<ToA especially against single tanks."

Very true, but throw any kind of decent AoF on there to help boost evasion beyond massive weaponry, and EC is right back there for the win... :)

I think the purpose of this tattoo is not to replace existing strategies, but to offer a new strategy to spice things up. Especially for mage teams.

This thread should be used to discuss ways to make the creation of a new familiar a possibility instead of being used to argument against it.

So although it is interesting, the debate about the effectiveness of EC should be moved to its own special thread.

Thanks in advance.