Force Absorb / Resistance

[Jamus Kevari]

So we all know Absorption is a very difficult ability to master, however performing a simple Resistance to Force powers is definitely less complex than absorbing incoming energy attacks and adding it to your own supply of energy. In order to have a bit more realism (in my little opinion, anyway), I would suggest this:

Absorb Levels 1-3 resist Force power attacks like normal, but the FP amount will not increase when receiving the Push, Lightning etc. The progression between each level will remain at the initial FP cost and the duration of the power.

Absorb levels 4-5 will remain the same, adding FP when being met with Force power attacks, with the differences being the duration and being able to block higher levels of Storm.

I know downgrading powers isn't usually a popular idea, but I would think doing this would make Absorption a more "rare" power within our RP.

Thoughts?

[Corinth Alkorda]

Hm...I like it.

You have my support, General Kevari.

[Alkur Tekeil]

How would a Resist lvl 1 be different from a Resist lvl 3? From a mechanic standpoint, I wouldn't want to spend XP on a power that won't pay off until I'm in the 20s of levels. If this change were to occur, I would think that each level of 1-3 should be beneficial of more than something like quartering/halving the amount of damage taken from Lightning.

[Aslyn Denethorn]

I agree with Master Tekeil. Alternatively, have Level 1 do what it does now (absent the FP regen on absorb), but then stagger the regen rate of normal FP while Absorb is active (say a 150 regen at Level 2, 100 at Level 3) and THEN add the FP absorbtion part for 4 and 5, as suggested.

That way, when using it at the lowest level, you're essentially channeling all your energy into the negation ability, but as you become more advanced with the skill, you're able to use the skill more efficiently, allowing your energies to return gradually over time. And you hit true mastery, you begin channeling attacking energies back into potential energy that you can use.

[Cyril Feraan]

What one has to realize is that part of the whole point of this suggestion is to emphasize the difficulty of the ability. The difference between levels 1, 2, and 3 would consist the sorts of powers that are negated, just as it functions now. For example, level 1 absorb can only resist level 1 powers, level 2 can resist both 1 and 2, and so on.

Then, Absorb 4 and 5 would have the bonus of beginning to actually absorb the energy instead of merely resisting it, slightly with level 4, and more so with level 5.

Using the Force can be a draining experience; it makes more sense to me that at most ability levels, one can absorb as far as their Force energy will allow them, then they must rest and regenerate for a little while if they wish to do so again. It must be implied that a challenging skill like Absorption is also draining; it's therefore not unreasonable that only at advanced mastery levels can you actually begin to maintain it efficiently. For example, if you have Absorption activated and you're assaulted with a barrage of Telekinesis attacks from all angles, you'll actually just end up gaining more Force energy instead of being drained by the effort and unable to continue resisting. This is slightly absurd.

This also adds an extra element of strategy to using Absorb; as it is right now, people can simply flip it on and certainly maintain it as long as necessary without consequence, for they will receive additional Force points everytime anyone uses the Force on them.

Anyone who spars with the Force as is knows that Absorb is almost overly powerful. Downgrading it a little and tweaking the system for more realism doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.

I fully support your suggestion.

[Aslyn Denethorn]

Anyone who spars with the Force as is knows that Absorb is almost overly powerful. Downgrading it a little and tweaking the system for more realism doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.

With the added downside that if your opponent knows you've activated Absorb, they've no real cause to use their Force abilities, so all they've done is essentially negate your use of the Force, since your FP pool is limited by the absence of FP Regen for the duration of Absorb.

[Cyril Feraan]

Anyone who spars with the Force as is knows that Absorb is almost overly powerful. Downgrading it a little and tweaking the system for more realism doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.

With the added downside that if your opponent knows you've activated Absorb, they've no real cause to use their Force abilities, so all they've done is essentially negate your use of the Force, since your FP pool is limited by the absence of FP Regen for the duration of Absorb.

But if no regen existed and/or extra Force points were deducted from your pool everytime someone used a power, this doesn't apply. There would be reason to use the Force: by doing so, you'd wear out their Force pool and make them vulnerable for attack.

[Nivek Tholmai]

---

If Master Kevari's idea was implented.. I would go with the upon deflecting abilities, you loose Force Points instead of gaining them, the amount lost would decrease with each level, until you got to 4 & 5 which granted you MORE points.

---

[Xa'o Zalei]

Hm...I like it.

You have my support, General Kevari.

[Cyril Feraan]

---

If Master Kevari's idea was implented.. I would go with upon deflecting abilities, you loose Force Points instead of gaining them, the amount lost would decrease with each level, until you got to 4 & 5 which granted you MORE points.

---

This is precisely the sort of system I was trying to describe. I support something like this.

[Jamus Kevari]

This is precisely the sort of system I was trying to describe. I support something like this.

[Nivek Tholmai]

---

If Master Kevari's idea was implented.. I would go with the upon deflecting abilities, you loose Force Points instead of gaining them, the amount lost would decrease with each level, until you got to 4 & 5 which granted you MORE points.

---

I would also say that if it were done this way, activating and maintaining the ability (just standing there) would not drain your Force pool, otherwise it seems kind of pointless to make the change this way, because you'd never have any Force points unless you had absorb 4/5, just makes it that little bit fairer.

[Aslyn Denethorn]

That I definitely agree with.

[Vantus]

I know downgrading powers isn't usually a popular idea

Nonsense!!! I'm drilling that line all the time.

I still believe (regardless of counter-arguement) that Consulars are far more over-powered and advanteous than that of Sentinel or Guardian simply because of their FP and FP-regeneration rates. Combine it with Heal and you have an unbeatable opponent.

This suggestion will at least cut-off their seemlingly Unlimited supply of FP's even if for a short while. This will make things a little more "realistic" and balanced at the same time.

You have my support.

I would also say that if it were done this way, activating and maintaining the ability (just standing there) would not drain your Force pool, otherwise it seems kind of pointless to make the change this way, because you'd never have any Force points unless you had absorb 4/5, just makes it that little bit fairer.

This is my arguement with Protect although the force power is of a different nature than "absorb". Anyway that's a little more off-topic but one to think about regardless.

[Corinth Alkorda]

I like your suggestion, Nivek. Perhaps level 3 would deflect and neither add nor drain?

Level 1 - drain a lot
Level 2 - drain a little
Level 3 - drain/gain nothing
Level 4 - gain a little
Level 5 - gain a lot