ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

I have trouble noticing whenever sustained skill or timed effects are changed, since the icons are quite colorful and not very distinct from the map. A translucent panel would make the icons much more distinguishable. Naturally it would need to adapt to the number and types of effects, but the minimum size should be enough to show fit a few icons without resizing.

Another idea, not as vital but certainly flashy and modern - 'flash' the icons whenever they appear. The same could be done for skills coming off cooldown.