How Paradox Works (b19)

[edge2054]

Paradox is a pretty unique resource so I want to provide some explanation for all you number junkies.

The base Paradox value is 300. Moving away from this value is going to decrease or increase the cost and effects of your abilities.

The basic formula for cost scaling is paradox cost * (1 + (paradox/100)) or paradox cost * (1 + (paradox/300)) when beta 20 hits. (I've actually already changed this but my last patch didn't make it in, base Paradox costs will go up in b20 so this change will generally only effect how fast costs go up).

Effect scaling is (1 + (paradox/300))/2. Note that not every effect scales directly. For instance many durations might only scale the variable. So 2 + (talent level * effect modifier) as an example.

Failure, backfire, and anomaly rates also scale with Paradox. For these anomalies get checked first, then failure, then backfire. Willpower will decrease your effective paradox by it's amount before anything gets multiplied for failure and backfire rates only and fatigue will increase your failure percentages.

Failure rate - (((Paradox - Will) /200), ^2)*(100 + Fatigue) / 100)
Backfire rate - ((Paradox - Will) /300), ^3)
Anomaly rate - ((Paradox) /400) ^4)

As to anomalies, I won't go into specifics but generally the higher your paradox the more the anomaly is going to do. These effects could be helpful or harmful but they're always unpredictable and generally dangerous.

[Postman]

Is paradox designed as a pure caster or fighter-mage?

[Sirrocco]

Paradox is a resource. Temporal Wardens use it and are fighter/mages (actually fighter/archer/mages). There are also pure mage classes focused on paradox forthcoming.