Power specialization

[Cyril Feraan]

I just had a random idea while testing some things in the server tonight.

Is it possible to have certain powers "split paths"?

For example, I'd like to see Hold 4 and 5 increase the duration of Hold 3 (or add other effects), but currently they add damage instead. Now, the damage option should remain, in my opinion, but what if it could be a "branch" of the power? in this manner...

Hold 1 -> Hold 2 -> Hold 3 -> Hold 4 -> Hold 5
-----------------------------------Choke 4 -> Choke 5


I say this because it would be useful, especially in this case, to be able to advance in Hold without having damage. Currently, for example, I have no reason for Cyril to ever learn 4 or 5 because they add choke damage, which he doesn't need. It's also realistic to be able to 'specialize' after learning the essentials of a power.

[Aslyn Denethorn]

Not necessarily a bad idea - I've always thought some level of Force Synchronicity would be a good idea.

[Vantus]

I like this idea!

An Example being Gabe with his ultra-mega-force-push abilities.
I met the other end of the room a couple of times.

It would be nice to decide what happens to your force power upon the last 2 stages of it's development.

[Syrena Exan]

I support this. Like Cyril, I can't advance my hold beyond what its at because I wouldn't need it. My character would never use something that causes damage that way. And as far as Gabes push.. the whole room meets the back of the wall. How about it branching into either a more focused area of pushing at a greater distance, or pushing everything far across the room like it does now?

[Aayla Vigil]

It's a good idea, but I don't know if the game actually supports more powers than the number provided by the game engine...

[Nivek Tholmai]

Power Extensions and branches are all well and good, I'd love to see some ideas fly forward towards them however I thought new powers (most would require new animations) were on hold until a much later version of rpmod

[Gabe Alkorda]

I don't think powers necessarily require new animations, its just that if you want to have new animations, you'll obviously *need* new animations haha.

I like the idea, and I think a good alternative to damage inducing hold4-5 would be like, if you're targeting a single person, you lift them and move them. if you just target empty space between several people, you lift/move all of them. level4 could support like, three people, and level5 could support 5. or lvl4 with 5 and lvl5 with 7. you know, just an idea. but, i do really like this idea. because like the others, i'm sitting at hold3 because i dont want to do damage when i lift someone. but im also not the Jedi I should be... I want *MORE*... Padme... noooooo...

[Cyril Feraan]

This is true. I didn't imply a new animation (though such things are always open in the future). I meant that it would be the same..one would make the choke sound, the other would not.

I also like the multiple targets idea, though I'm unsure on the feasibility.

(If multiple targets is possible, as is branching, it could be neat to see this applied to other powers.)

[Moza Ferorn]

I love teh idea.

[Kishon Sanria]

Yeah, I was actually thinking of something similar to this, but mainly with push and pull and mind trick and what not.

Force powers that affect multiple people should be "toggleable" based on where the target reticule is. For example, if Gabe is sparring a bunch of younglings, he should have the option to push all of them away, or just one of them. I guess the best way to control this would be to code it to where if the target is on no one specific, it pushes everyone; if it is on one person, it pushes only them. It is kind of the same as whispering to someone versus talking to everyone in chat.

If this is a bad idea, or not at all what you were thinking, just shoot me down, but I think this may be better than the current set up.

[Gabe Alkorda]

That sort of thing is already present with mind trick, I believe. If you target a single person, it mind tricks them, whereas if you aim at a wall or something, it gives a distraction (for npcs, obviously)

[Syrena Exan]

I like Gabes idea of lifting multiple people.

[Kenta]

Push = focused push/360 degree

Pull = focused pull/360 degree (i'm sure someone has a better idea for the branch here.)

can't think of anything for speed or sense or heal..

Protect = focused personal barrier/expanded barrier to protect those nearby

maybe have absorb's branch reflect a force power or perhaps nullify additional

lightning is pretty much perfect as is until running into absorb.

Hold's branch, as stated could be turned into grip, with higher hold being able to lift multiple people.

@_@ that's all I can think of at the moment here.

[Aslyn Denethorn]

Why not use skill synergies for the upper level powers? As so:

Force Push Levels 4/5 give one level in Force Pull OR Force Hold

Force Pull Levels 4/5 do the same as Force Push

Force Speed 4/5 give one level in Force Jump (and vice versa due to the use of the Force to aid kinetic abilities)

Mind Trick remains unchanged

Force Sense remains unchanged

Force Heal Levels 4/5 give one level in Heal Other

Force Absorb Levels 4/5 give one Level in Force Protect (use of Force for defensive barriers - also true of vice versa)

Heal Other/Team Heal remains unchanged

Force Hold 4/5 gives one level to Force Push OR Pull

[Jared]

Because then you need less xp to achieve those things, thus making it easier for you to become an ungodly behemoth of force skills.

Having hold to level 5 with optional choke WOULD BE COOL but I don't think it's possible to code with JA.

Hold 3 is already pretty effective and can be combined with push/pull very nicely.