Doctor Archive

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Padtai wrote:

I don't have a problem if they nerf buffs... getting average buffs of 2500 on your stats is a lot different than getting fully buffed on each stat for 2500. That last patch that gave us not only static buffs but also the ability to use bivoli, just went too far and allowed us to make people virtually unstoppable. Sure I enjoy taking down an elder (haven't tried since new force powers patch I admit) and other thigns with just a friend or two for back up, but ultimately, I can see how this game has become entirely too easy to solo. I don't blame just buffs--its the interaction of buffs and armor.

Still, i think the easy fix is to change how bivoli works--just make that stuff affect wound healing instead of buffs and make buffs separate from any bonuses to wound healing (so no more be clothes either). That would essentially reduce most doc buffs enough to offset the increase that a static buff system gave us. We used to be happy to give people anything over 1k, now that bar is 2k (or even 2500). I think its pretty obvious that was too much. At the lower level, more people used to "take it or leave it" when it came to buffs b/c they didn't jump up whole classes of monsters to fight. Now being buffed vs not buffed is like being godlike versus being made of glass.... the difference is too great and the demand is too much. Even without armor, you can take on some pretty high level stuff (like rancors) with just buffs (that you couldn't do in armor without buffs).

As for all the people who would drop doc (or an alt account) if this happened--I can only say well... that's probably a good sign. Right now docs are so important for buffing that their usefulness as a battlefield healer (along with CM's) is pretty low. It would be nice to get back to a game where I could wear my title and get asked to come along on hunts rather than getting a constant stream of "buff plz' or 'u buffin" or "buff me" and complaints when I say I'd rather not.

Buffs made docs powerful but they are also making it weak at the same time. The more people depend on buffs, the less they depend on doctors to be actively played by anyone but a few crafters who supply all the alts or people to buff themselves.

I think the fact that people create alts with doc or picked the class just to buff just goes to show how unbalanced and overpowered buffs have become.

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No you can't.

There are two problems, and neither one of them are only buffs.

1) Buffs that allow over 1500 to the secondaries negate special attack cost.

2) Buffs nullify armor encumbrance.

Its the combination of armor and buffs that make people seem unkillable NOT just one or the other.

Armor is key, buffs just get you there.

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MagenShae wrote:

Nerfing buffs, as I said, will make the game 'seem' harder, but wont actually address the real issues.

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Here are some issues, that reduced buffs would help fix

-prevalence of high resist armor designed with no thought to its encumbrance

-over abundance of credits in the economies due to cash grinding solo groups

-the near obsalescence of Doc, SL, and healing CM's rolesin group combat

-the inability for multiple unprepared PCs to fight one buffed, armored, special-spamming, bottom-feeding PvP bully

-the inability for some low damage characters to even scratch a buffed attacker through heavy armor and high recovery rates

-the fact that buffs are nearly a requirement to play the game and be even close to competitive to other players

-a little less starport spam

-the lack of variety of armor actually employed since high resist comp effectively has no encumbrance whith 2500 secondary buffs (imagine how boring it would be if players could not reset the colors of composite.)

The fact is, that reduced secondary buffs would effectively nerf high resist armor on its own. Yes, we will have to group more and make less money and the new dungeons will be extremely difficult. The NPCs can be tweaked easily enough and I think grouping and less money in the economy are good things. Like it or not,I think we can expect to se a buff nerf. The new CM resistance buffs are basically the foreplay for those docs who think a buff nerf is getting screwed.

SakeO

Message Edited by SakeO on 07-30-2004 10:54 AM