"Odyssey of The Summoner" is OUT!! Find it here...

[nsrr]

Re: Why Phys Save Suck
Here's the thing about Phys Save; it's measured against Physical Power or Accuracy (whichever is higher) for most physical effects that are applied. Physical effects outnumber Magical and Mental by a fair margin, but that's not the worst thing about them. Enemies in ToME that wield a weapon automatically gain skill in that weapon's mastery. Weapon mastery grants physical power at a flat 10 x Talent Level. Even with diminishing returns, mobs that are higher level than you (and the mobs that are a problem are always higher level than you) have massively higher physical power, so your save means next to nothing.
This is largely paraphrased from a discussion between a couple of devs in the IRC channel while I happened to be idling. You'd have to investigate to verify this, but it certainly feels like it holds true.

Re: Cut Loose
That's honestly more mild of a down-side than I was expecting... but please don't nerf it until we try it out

[nekarcos]

@rexorcorum
I can assure you-- I'm still having fun with this, no worries!
I have been making games for a VERY long time, and THIS was the first thing I've gathered enough courage to release to the internet. Why was I so reluctant for so long? Because I had always been afraid of stuff like this happening-- But, at the same time, I've always been prepared for it.
I came to terms that people will hate things about my work-- But, whether they like it or not, people have invested SOME modicum of time into this thing I made-- And that alone inspires me to make sure it's something worth their time... Well, at least the majority of them...

On another note, I actually LIKE the way Heart of Gloom looks! I even stopped once and just... peeked around the whole zone, marveling at how colorful the zone was, trying to understand exactly what it is. In fact, Heart of Gloom is going to be a major plot point in Odyssey of The Summoner! I really DO like that place!
... Though, you're right: The "1x2" tiles are just GAH! sometimes-- But so are the trees in some other zones. I'm used to it by now

About my smileys... Fine. I'll admit-- "Smileys", "Memes", and "Acronyms" are all creations of the recent computer generation, and they have gotten VERY lazy about writing thoughtfully. However, I will attempt to justify it with this question: Why do "Stereotypes" exist in literature...?

In any case, honestly, I'm sorry you (and EVERYONE else) has to enter this thread only to find... THIS mess of posts ready for reading. It's honestly disgraceful and embarrassing to me, but I'm sworn to read and respond to everything anyone has to say in regards to "Odyssey of The Summoner"-- I WILL NOT be one of those developers who start a forum/thread just to... Turn away while people wonder if their cries are being heard.
... But, alas, it leads to... Well, everything that you've read before now...

PS: HOLY CRAP. This graphics pack is... absolutely INSANE! There are even graphics for equipment on the Ritch. HOW DID YOU KNOW?!?! Can you make a graphic for the Unfezant's Fez to appear on every Avatar's head??
Anywho-- I'll be implementing ALL of these for the next update RIGHT AWAY! Naturally, you are getting credit for everything-- But, I'll have to think of an "elegant" way to do so...


@nsrr
Bah! Then that makes Physical Save practically worthless! What a bummer...

Also, the "Cut Loose" consequence is mainly to stop people from using it to run away


@daed4
- "Infusion: Wild" isn't a "class" ability. Something like "Onslaught" or "Dirty Fighting" is-- But this is just semantics at this point.
- Sure-- But that might change in the future after a few patches? That really doesn't mean anything.

@astralInferno
You sir... I had some rather "strong" things to say to you-- But rexorcorum totally uplifted my mood...
I'll summarize it at this: "What a critic! What an impatient critic!"



I have A LOT of work to do now, so I'll be leaving today's... "Topic" at this.

[jenx]

Nobody has won with an avatar online yet except Jenx in arena,[/url]. And the main complain is how UP everything is, and how unreliable some things are.

I've won lots of times there, twice its been recorded:

http://te4.org/characters/2460/tome/856 ... c48823b816

http://te4.org/characters/2460/tome/82b ... 0d8af28734

It's a great way to test run characters.

I've got very close with Fire Drake a few times, which surprises me, as I think they are stronger than Hydras overall. I'll keep trying...

[nekarcos]

I've won lots of times there, twice its been recorded:
It's a great way to test run characters.

Wow... These are wins before AND after the Natural Combat tweak-- But more importantly, they're both NORMAL difficulty!
Alright then jenx, I have A LOT of questions for you-- You're coming with me
It might not have been a win in "story mode", but at least you've done some balance-testing in terms of combat with a rather-diverse set of enemies-- Which is something I'm very interested in hearing about too. Particularly, I see you have been messing with the Prudence and Triad talent trees, which are things I have not fully tested.


- "Trinity Attack" seems like your go-to talent. Does it feel powerful and satisfying? Do you think it's at a good place? That talent is 100% untested-- Not even in the real game. I finished it within the week before releasing this, made sure it worked correctly-- Then never touched it again. Tell me your thoughts about that move!

- One of your wins was before the Natural Combat tweak; You had 10/10 "Lick Wounds". The other was AFTER the Natural Combat tweak-- At which point, you dropped the usage of "Lick Wounds" almost entirely (2/10). Does that mean you're satisfied with the Life Regen move, or is it that you consider the talent somewhat pointless now?

- For both wins, you maxed out on "Nature Hardened". I have always wondered if the Armor/Hardiness bonus it gave was a little TOO good. Did I tune that up a bit too high...? Be honest...

- Continuing that thought, I see you've given yourself rather absurd amounts of armor via "Treasure Hoarder's Will". A long time ago, you mentioned that the armor bonus it gave was ridiculous. Do you still think this is ridiculous, or is this what makes the investment in THW worthwhile? I imagine you spent a while trying to stockpile the money to buy all the rarities you ate too. Be honest as well! Having 250+ Armor and 80% Hardiness is JUST a little suspect...

- You don't use the "Regenerate" tree on Hydra AT ALL! What is it that makes you feel this usually-a-go-to talent tree is not useful to you...? How exactly are you managing instead?

- Curiously, you always go up to "Menace" in the "Glare Hydra" tree, but not "Incite Death". I believe it's QUITE a powerful mass-CC that not only immobilizes, but has synergy with Menace as well. What makes it unappealing?

- On your second win, you made use of the "Prudence" talent tree-- Another heavily untested group of talents. Where do you feel this tree is at, in terms of effectiveness?

- Final question-- Your first win was a strong investment in Constitution. The second win is a strong investment in DEX/STR. Interesting... Could hydra possibly be MORE effective when used like a balls-to-the-wall DPS...?


Edit: I just noticed you got "Meteoric Crash" as well. Apologies! At current, I don't think most of the Avatar's abilities trigger it because it's designed to trigger on "Wild Gift" talents, not "Wild Heart" talents. I hope to fix this at some point...

[jenx]

Birth Weakness only goes when you level up. If you hit level 50, does it still apply? If so, you'd never be able to get rid of it....

[jenx]

When you transfer gems to drakelings, they take all of them and equip one and drop the rest on the ground. This is not very helpful. Can you change it so they take one only.

[jenx]

hmmm, fire drakes and their hatchlings against 100% fire resistant creatures are useless if they don't get wind or claw talents.....

[nekarcos]

@jenx
- I've been asked that a lot. No-- It becomes permanently able to use "Raise Drakeling" and "Role Model" with neither penalty nor inspiration.

- Can perhaps fix that. But, at the same time, it would be abusable (since the Drakeling could "transfer" objects back to you by unequipping it and "magically" handing it to you). To be honest, it's already ridiculous that you can ignore proximity and give it to them from anywhere.

- Naturally-- Yet, not entirely true... Sounds like you need to invest in "Boldly and Fiercely"


... So, uhhh... About those questions I asked you...?

[jenx]

My fire drake says I have 5 natural attacks in combat, yet every time I bump into an enemy, I only do one attack.

The hydra does the number of attacks listed at this place in the character sheet....

[jenx]

If a drakeling has a gem and a ring and you give it an amulet, the amulet disappears into its inventory and it is not worn. This is a real problem.

I suggest making a way for drakelings to drop all equipment.

[emblempride]

It is disappointing that you perceived the tone of my post as being angry or as venting, or find criticism unwelcome when you felt enough confidence in the project to release it. A project that I have enjoyed and am grateful for considering the complete lack of compelling mods for a community-driven game that deserves more with your dedication and creativity. I was merely trying to stress the valid criticisms of your approach, which are being repeated so often for a reason, because it seems that what it would do in terms of efficiency would be beneficial for all. I personally do not have the time to really measure the specifics, and I'm also not very good when it comes to those kinds of suggestions. So perhaps all you would want from someone who feels like me, unfortunately, is, "Cool stuff, pretty hard though."

EDIT: Accidentally posted unfinished

[nekarcos]

@emblempride
Stop. Nobody is talking about this anymore

Let's talk about rexorcorum MASSIVE new graphics pack he contributed ENTIRELY for free!

This is DEFINITELY going into the next update. I was worried this might have been a lacklustre Minor-- But rexor has REALLY spiced this up!

[emblempride]

It probably won't matter to you, but I think it's important to say that your attitude has lost one player.

[nekarcos]

It probably won't matter to you, but I think it's important to say that your attitude has lost one player.

I refuse to escalate or reignite the post-war you are trying to start, so I'll be succinct and frank: You are not the type of person I want helping me.
If you are rescinding your contribution... That's fine. There's no need to make a spectacle out of it.

[jenx]

I consumed HEart of Sandworm Queen and didn't get stats or generics etc this totally sucks

I NEED those stats and generics etc