Retool Earth a bit

[SageAcrin]

While I was making a post for describing Archmage, it suddenly occured to me that part of the problem with the Earth/Stone build for Archmage is sheer lack of spells.

Only three spells-Mudslide, Earthen Missiles, and Earthquake-are Physical, for Archmage.

"But, that's reasonable. The others are utility.", I think.

Then I realize that's silly and that two of them could easily deal damage as well as be utility.

Here's my thoughts:

A: Change Dig to Pulverizing Auger(or some similar name), a blast of rocky force or large, earthen, drilling column, etc., thematically.

Then, rather than make it dig (talent level) squares in the target wall's direction, within range 10, you make it a range (modified talent level+2) range ray that both digs down walls within its line, and deals (40, 280) Spellpower(stronger than most rays) damage to anything caught in it, with 8-10 CD and 30~ Mana cost.

Now, it digs...but it also does tons of lowish range physical damage in a ray form. Doesn't quite dig as well, of course, but the flexibility is what makes it more interesting.

B: Stone Wall doesn't form if an enemy is caught in its radius...but it also doesn't damage the enemy.

Why? You don't want enemies caught in the radius, sure, and an enemy blocking the way of formation makes sense... but forming a stone wall on top of them should hurt, shouldn't it?

Here's the thought here: If an enemy is caught in the walls, so that no wall forms there, deal (25, 300) Spellpower Physical damage to them instead of just no damage. For the targetted version, also let it deal that much damage to the target, because why not?

This should be easy to accomplish by having a no self damage 1 radius ball around the target for that damage.

Now that'd give Archmages five physical spells, and not just three. It'd help out that build a lot, and maybe more people would take higher Earth spells.

[Pigslayer]

Stone Wall basically gives you a dozen turns of invulnerability when maxed out. Does it really need a buff? I think the Earth tree sucks aside from that one spell though.

[SageAcrin]

This actually wouldn't buff that.

Think on it-if you're hitting someone, you're breaking the wall.

Therefore, if you're using it as an offense spell, you're giving up the defensive effect.

That seems like a pretty safe thing overall, and it gives the skill more of an interesting curve. And the offensive impact only is really useful if you're focusing on Stone-everyone else will just use it for defense.

[edge2054]

I like the Auger. It could even ignore physical resist in my opinion (digging into earth elementals for instance!).

Agree on the stone wall bit though, it's already good enough. I would like to see stone skin buffed though, maybe a physical save bonus or stun/knockback immunity.

[SageAcrin]

Well, as I said, it's not really important to its defensive role.

It having an offensive role is inferior to its defensive role, making it not actually matter that much.

It was more of a theme idea than anything important.

The Dig idea was the one that struck me as more interesting-I think a big part of why most players don't go as high as Stone Wall is because Dig feels like a waste.

Also, even one extra damaging spell would help-then there'd be another spell for Body of Stone to lower cooldown on, which helps the overall build quite a bit.

[HousePet]

I like it.
I've suggested something like Auger before.

[darkgod]

Pulverizing Auger is done; with new particles effect! Oh and it digs BEFORE damaging .. hilarity follows!
Stone Wall deals damage now
Body of Stone affects Pulverizing Auger and is instant cast

[SageAcrin]

Nifty.

I would like to see stone skin buffed though, maybe a physical save bonus or stun/knockback immunity.

Why not just have it grant 2%*talent level Armor Hardiness?

10~% Armor Hardiness makes it more useful and attractive as an option-the big problem with it as a skill is that, unless you utilize an obscure and ridiculously annoying to pull off trick(trying to get Mobility on an Archmage), or get one specific artifact Cloak, you're not breaking 30% Armor Hardiness for an Archmage.

The main reason I suggest this is because it's not a major buff for AB/Stone Warden, who also get Earth and have pretty good uses for the spell as it is. They get plenty of Hardiness. Stun/Knockback resist or physical save bonuses would be a more notable buff for them, and I don't think they need it improved that much for them.

Stone Skin on Archmages, by contrast, is mostly just worse than Blur Sight, due to the terrible Hardiness.

[Amphouse]

Cool! Tempted to play as a Geomancer next release, no matter how bad they still are. This certainly helps.

[HousePet]

Yeah Stoneskin is pretty crap with hardiness.
I'd make a suggestion, but apparently DarkGod hates me, and ignores my suggestions.

[Amphouse]

Yeah Stoneskin is pretty crap with hardiness.
I'd make a suggestion, but apparently DarkGod hates me, and ignores my suggestions.

Awww, don't say that; Darkgod hates everyone here equally.

Come, what's your suggestion?

By the way, I agree that stone skin could use a hardiness boost, as most of that armor boost gets wasted otherwise.

[Sradac]

i agree with hardiness. It only makes sense. You've enveloped yourself in rock, you're telling me its not more absorbent than my little robe? Plus, Paradox Mages get something nice to go with their armor buff, stoneskin needs love.

[HousePet]

I'd like Hardiness and Physical Save.
Armour is not needed.

[SageAcrin]

I'd like Hardiness and Physical Save.
Armour is not needed.

That makes it pretty useless for AB and Stone Warden, though...

[jotwebe]

Don't they like physical save as well?

Why not all of those, in moderate amounts?