MAGIC - link spells

[dam23]

What I call link spells here is DoT (Damage Over Time) and Affliction ones.

Imho (and mho rocks ) the problem with the affliction ones is:
-the link breaks too easily once established

the problem with the DoT ones is:
-it deals, overall, less damage than chain-casting a regular spell, or casting double missiles
-it is quite hard to get a link: I take it you won't use DoT spells to solo, but rather when in a team. And when you're teamed, you often have to hit mobs that are way above your level to get any decent xp.
-even when you get one, the link breaks too easily

Does anyone here use the Direct Damage + DoT double spell stanza ?
I don't.

I think the link-type spells definitely need a boost, a big boost.

While i'm at it, lemme highlight what I consider and have ticket'd as a bug, even though I might be wrong, it could be an hidden feature :
When you cast a link spell, no matter how you paid for its cost (your own hp, range, time...) when the link is established, it will only drain your sap.

[suib0m]

While i'm at it, lemme highlight what I consider and have ticket'd as a bug, even though I might be wrong, it could be an hidden feature :
When you cast a link spell, no matter how you paid for its cost (your own hp, range, time...) when the link is established, it will only drain your sap.

Spells consume sap. How you offset the initial cast sap consumption doesn't change that the spells are powered by sap. I don't see how you think this a bug or "feature".

[ncrijns]

Let me start with, that the link eats some sap isn't a hidden feature, it's a documented one. It's in the (cue dramatic music) maaanual (end dramatic music). You know, the thing that no-one has read
If this changes I'd be a unhappy homin.

The second is that DoTs are better then normal double spells when chain casted.. AS LONG AS YOU AREN'T RESISTED!! Making them a poor choice for leveling but a great one if you want to kill something with lots of health. (like bosses and named) And oh yes I use the Direct Damage + DoT combo for this.

To the link matter: It's not hard to get a link at all. It's about as hard as getting a normal elemental spell to hit! The difference is that most amp gloves have a good power stat in there elemental stats and generally poor power stat in both Defensive and Offensive Affliction. This is important because your spell level and the power stat on your amps determens how long a link lasts.

[dam23]

Spells consume sap. How you offset the initial cast sap consumption doesn't change that the spells are powered by sap. I don't see how you think this a bug or "feature".

Right so spells cost sap.
So, you can cast a direct damage or heal *spell* by only using HPs, time, range credits, but a link *spell* won't do ?

Sounds odd to me

[yeti64]

Right so spells cost sap.
So, you can cast a direct damage or heal *spell* by only using HPs, time, range credits, but a link *spell* won't do ?

Sounds odd to me

U cast the link spell with your hp, distance, etc. credits, but maintaining a link, costs you sap. It's your magical power, i think it's okay...

[defalgar]

damn dam are you on a poll rampage

[dam23]

Yep

I mean, of all the MMOs I've tried this is the only one where we get the chance of our voices being heard.

Both the CSRs and the devteam read these forums, so what could be better than polls to express the community's thoughs

[trenker]

Well for what its worth I found the link's sap cost a bit confusing at first. I had guessed it would be based on the original stanzas too.

Something that doesnt work as per the manual, however, is enchanted spells costing actual sap when cast, instead of just the sap crystals. Seems to ruin half the point and despite mentioning it around the place have had no official response.

[pure2000]

What I call link spells here is DoT (Damage Over Time) and Affliction ones.

Imho (and mho rocks ) the problem with the affliction ones is:
-the link breaks too easily once established

the problem with the DoT ones is:
-it deals, overall, less damage than chain-casting a regular spell, or casting double missiles
-it is quite hard to get a link: I take it you won't use DoT spells to solo, but rather when in a team. And when you're teamed, you often have to hit mobs that are way above your level to get any decent xp.
-even when you get one, the link breaks too easily

Does anyone here use the Direct Damage + DoT double spell stanza ?
I don't.

I think the link-type spells definitely need a boost, a big boost.

While i'm at it, lemme highlight what I consider and have ticket'd as a bug, even though I might be wrong, it could be an hidden feature :
When you cast a link spell, no matter how you paid for its cost (your own hp, range, time...) when the link is established, it will only drain your sap.

damn dam=P u need to lvl more=P

[sehracii]

With defensive affliction being my highest combat skill, there's been a lot of things I've wished for to be different with link spells as I was leveling.

But looking back at it now I think they are pretty well set as they are.

The biggest problem I'd say though is that you have to wait after casting every spell do see if it links. (There actually is a difference in the graphics of the missile that will let you know if it will connect if you watch it fly in, but in a team battle there's usually such a light show you won't really be able to see it, and it gets progressively harder to discern as you lvl and the fx of just your own spell get flashier)

I just wish there was a way to spam the affliction and when a link was successful it cleared the queued spell automatically so you wouldn't cancel your own link all the time. I've gotten used to casting and waiting, and standing closer to the mob for less travel time, but it seems unfair to have to wait while everyone else fires as fast as they can.
And to be honest, I see no simple solution really. Clearing the queue would have to be even more complicated then that, because if there's any distance at all to the mob, you'll be mid-cast again before the previous missile even hits...

So there's not a lot to be done.

For anyone who is very frustrated with affliction spell links, I can say that they're effectiveness with regards to their level increases as your skills go up. For example, when I was level 65, I had a lot of trouble linking on lvl 65 mobs. But at lvl 150, it's pretty much guaranteed to link for a nice time duration on a lvl 150 mob. So keep at it!