This is just a passing idea I had, but I thought I'd share to see how it would stand to scrutiny as feedback.
What if Bards could integrate our MP into the gameplay like the HW/SB days, while also merging the songs into the Coda & Apex Arrow systems? The current song system treats playing them a bit like an afterthought; play Minuet/Ballad/Paeon once every 45 seconds in rotation. If they were linked to the MP bar, perhaps it would work like this:
Minuet: Remains as is in effect. Uses MP. Gains Coda once you reach a certain number on the Apex gauge.
Ballad: Remains as is in effect. Regenerates MP. Gains Coda once you reach a certain number on the Apex gauge.
Paeon: Remains as is in effect. Uses MP. Gains Coda once you reach a certain number on the Apex gauge.
Of course we would have to reduce the cooldown on the songs. This also allows for easier recovery if you die and have to pick yourself back up. I'm also in favor of adding cast times on them to compensate.
As for the Apex Gauge, it is already linked to the songs. I thought perhaps something in a similar vein to Sage's Gauge, as in it slowly going up the longer the song plays, would be cool and in tune with Bard's identity as a songcaster.
One of the issue remains with Bard's DoTs. I want to keep them, yet I do not know how well they could fit into the kit. Perhaps the procs having more of a link to Ballad and Paeon than what we currently have?
The other is how busy the job would become. Having to weave our weaponskills and keep an eye on our songs plus MP? Might be too complex and put the class lower in the popularity ranking. Not to mention how the Coda would interact with the Apex Gauge and thus Apex Arrow itself (as the two are separate right now) which could cause issues.
A third is, of course, Paeon. If we reduce the cooldowns on the songs, then Paeon becomes just as redundant as before. You would simply go from Minuet, to Ballad for MP regeneration, to Minuet again. The Enhanced Paeon buff might not be worth it in the long run unless you gain something worthwhile for casting it. Perhaps Radiant Finale would be enough of an incentive?
That said, I do believe the idea could make for some interesting decision-making gameplay for the players and offer optimisation opportunities.
TLDR: Songs have lowered cooldown and use/give MP. Play it long enough to gain a Coda sticker.
Continue reading...
What if Bards could integrate our MP into the gameplay like the HW/SB days, while also merging the songs into the Coda & Apex Arrow systems? The current song system treats playing them a bit like an afterthought; play Minuet/Ballad/Paeon once every 45 seconds in rotation. If they were linked to the MP bar, perhaps it would work like this:
Minuet: Remains as is in effect. Uses MP. Gains Coda once you reach a certain number on the Apex gauge.
Ballad: Remains as is in effect. Regenerates MP. Gains Coda once you reach a certain number on the Apex gauge.
Paeon: Remains as is in effect. Uses MP. Gains Coda once you reach a certain number on the Apex gauge.
Of course we would have to reduce the cooldown on the songs. This also allows for easier recovery if you die and have to pick yourself back up. I'm also in favor of adding cast times on them to compensate.
As for the Apex Gauge, it is already linked to the songs. I thought perhaps something in a similar vein to Sage's Gauge, as in it slowly going up the longer the song plays, would be cool and in tune with Bard's identity as a songcaster.
One of the issue remains with Bard's DoTs. I want to keep them, yet I do not know how well they could fit into the kit. Perhaps the procs having more of a link to Ballad and Paeon than what we currently have?
The other is how busy the job would become. Having to weave our weaponskills and keep an eye on our songs plus MP? Might be too complex and put the class lower in the popularity ranking. Not to mention how the Coda would interact with the Apex Gauge and thus Apex Arrow itself (as the two are separate right now) which could cause issues.
A third is, of course, Paeon. If we reduce the cooldowns on the songs, then Paeon becomes just as redundant as before. You would simply go from Minuet, to Ballad for MP regeneration, to Minuet again. The Enhanced Paeon buff might not be worth it in the long run unless you gain something worthwhile for casting it. Perhaps Radiant Finale would be enough of an incentive?
That said, I do believe the idea could make for some interesting decision-making gameplay for the players and offer optimisation opportunities.
TLDR: Songs have lowered cooldown and use/give MP. Play it long enough to gain a Coda sticker.
Continue reading...