Category Efficiency

[aardvark]

I'm...not sure. Any pair of terms that I can think of look like interchangeable synonyms to a new player, or else are quite cumbersome.

Since "effective" talent level is calculated from the category mastery, the name could be changed to a synonym of "mastery." A quick perusal of a thesaurus suggests several possibilties:

• aptitude
• expertise
• proficiency
• prowess
• competence

There are probably better choices, but I maintain that changing the noun instead of calling both values "talent level" would lend clarity.

[bricks]

But they are both talent levels, and that's how they are described internally. Maybe it's just the engineer in me, but "effective talent level" seems much clearer. I feel like this is exactly why we use adjectives. :) If anything, "talent category mastery" is confusing. "Talent multiplier" is pretty direct.

[Aerach]

Honestly the terminology was clear, guys. The whole problem was the apparent effect not matching how it clearly said it was meant to work. (and the answer was that it doesn't always match how it says it works!)

[Mewtarthio]

But they are both talent levels, and that's how they are described internally. Maybe it's just the engineer in me, but "effective talent level" seems much clearer.

My problem with that is that the "effective" talent level is used much more often than the "raw" talent talent level. Plus, the effective talent level is actually called "talent level" internally, while "raw talent level" is also a term from the code.

[bricks]

Good point. I still think "talent level" = number of invested talent points makes more sense.

[Patashu]

Clearer terminology might be helpful. Something like "talent rank" for the number of points invested and "talent level" for what we currently call "effective" talent level.

Talent level -> Talent rank
Effective talent level -> Talent level

Maybe not those exactly, but a change to the noun used instead of just the adjective.

I'm...not sure. Any pair of terms that I can think of look like interchangeable synonyms to a new player, or else are quite cumbersome.

Expenditure and level?
Investment and level?

[ohioastro]

What's wrong with "points invested" or "points invested (1-5)"?

[Silvermoon]

Maybe it's just me, but what I find confusing is why any skills use points invested instead of effective talent level in the first place. In particular, some trees exist where mastery level is virtually meaningless. As a player, I find that counter-intuitive, and I really think it should be changed. If people are willing to invest category points in something, shouldn't they be rewarded for doing so? If something is truly broken by it, perhaps the broken skill should be looked at instead?

[lukep]

Most places that use raw talent level (points invested) are passive talents that use the on_learn function, it's just a lot easier to code that way. It there are others, changing them might be a good idea.