[Design Blog] Increasing the Potential of Sorcerers

[VROOMIGoRealFast]

Hey Arlorians!

We’ve seen some good discussions lately talking about Sorcerers and their potential damage. We’ve done some comparative research on our end looking into the potential damage output of classes and we feel that Sorcerers are not shining in large group situations like we expect them to. We’ve evaluated the Sorcerer’s AoE potential and these are the solutions we plan to implement to help resolve this problem.

1) Increase the number of targets Fireball can hit by 2
Currently uncharged Fireball can hit up to 4 targets, while charged can hit up to 6. Comparing this to the AoE of other classes it actually left Sorcerers lacking in the AoE department. As a general update for all Sorcerers we want to increase the number of targets that Fireball can hit. Uncharged Fireball will be able to hit 6 targets, while charged fireball will be able to hit up to 8.

2) Change the Mastery of Fireball to “Increase the number of targets Fireball can hit by 1 for every 2 points, and decrease the cooldown of fireball by .1 second for each point”
We’ve heard from Sorcerers and agree that mana isn’t really their issue, and we feel that the Mastery for Fireball decreasing the mana cost isn’t that impactful. This is where the greatest AoE damage increase can come for Sorcerers. At max, this mastery will decrease the cooldown of fireball by 1 second, and increase the number of targets that can be hit by 5, which includes all bonus effects from upgrades.

3) Increase the damage output of Charged Time Shift on the initial drop of the Clock
Time Shift is a dual utility skill, providing crowd control and a good amount of damage. After our evaluation we found that while charging Time Shift provides other benefits, it doesn’t behave like other abilities in that charging increases the damage. We plan to bring up this damage so that charging Time Shift gives you a more relevant amount of AoE while still maintaining the crowd control effects.

*Update* As a note for potential feedback, we're planning on implementing all of the above options.

I want this because I play a Sorc myself,
STSVroom

[Schnitzel]

I like idea #1 & 3
Im only a lvl50 fairly geared sorcerer, but seems that a decreased 0.1s cool down and +1 target every 2 points means, if we put 6 points into the fireball mastery, we get 3 more targets to roast. But with a Time Shift skill doing more damage, we may get needed more in elite runs for draining mob health while freezing enemies in place (a better CC method imo)

Just my opinions.
*waits for angry replies*

[Anyona]

Thank you for yet another great update


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[VROOMIGoRealFast]

I like idea #1 & 3
Im only a lvl50 fairly geared sorcerer, but seems that a decreased 0.1s cool down and +1 target every 2 points means, if we put 6 points into the fireball mastery, we get 3 more targets to roast. But with a Time Shift skill doing more damage, we may get needed more in elite runs for draining mob health while freezing enemies in place (a better CC method imo)

Just my opinions.
*waits for angry replies*

I'll update in the original post, but to clarify we're planning to implement all 3 options!

[Natalia Kulnu]

Chance clock CNT root most mobs in underhaul if the root gonna be added to all mobs in underhaul that's gonna make sorcs more useful

[Schnitzel]

I like idea #1 & 3
Im only a lvl50 fairly geared sorcerer, but seems that a decreased 0.1s cool down and +1 target every 2 points means, if we put 6 points into the fireball mastery, we get 3 more targets to roast. But with a Time Shift skill doing more damage, we may get needed more in elite runs for draining mob health while freezing enemies in place (a better CC method imo)

Just my opinions.
*waits for angry replies*

I'll update in the original post, but to clarify we're planning to implement all 3 options!

O

#11characters

[extrapayah]

there are some concerns with sorcerer:

1. we are lacking offensive buffs
2. stun duration being very random, elite mobs sometimes got stunned less than 1s
3. stun duration and gale push doesn't stack, making teamworks between mages unnecessary too hard, compare it to how arcane blades works between rogues, if we're talking in pvp, there is already post-stun stun-immunity that should be enough to avoid perma-stun
4. heal over time doesn't stack between mages, while rogues packs, and warrior HoR do

thanks , tbh a skill switch system will make playing with mage a lot more interesting, and can make mage as the busiest class to play , a real spellcaster, that can have high potential on how well you use all your skills/spells

[Niixed]

I heartily concur with the proposed changes, they sound awesome and are very encouraging. However I would actually rather see clock DoT increased rather than the initial damage, it seems it would be far more helpful especially in elites. Just a suggestion though.

[VROOMIGoRealFast]

4. heal over time doesn't stack between mages, while rogues packs, and warrior HoR do

We'll investigate and evaluate this. There should be a consistency between heals from characters and their stacking unless it would specifically cause issues. You may have found a good candidate for a #4

[Natalia Kulnu]

Why CNT we get our root power back like before

[extrapayah]

We'll investigate and evaluate this. There should be a consistency between heals from characters and their stacking unless it would specifically cause issues. You may have found a good candidate for a #4

thanks also another old issue like mobs that are stunned by fireball/gale can't be pulled by rogue's trap

another note, we will definitely be happy if we are given a mechanism to control our gale dash, to control when to dash, and when to not

and yes clock not rooting most mobs in underhul really hurt us... at least if mobs can't be rooted, the 'snare'/slow from original clock should takes effect... same like ice, if mobs can't be frozen, why can't the slow/snare effect works?

[bonjovi3223]

I heartily concur with the proposed changes, they sound awesome and are very encouraging. However I would actually rather see clock DoT increased rather than the initial damage, it seems it would be far more helpful especially in elites. Just a suggestion though.

+1 to this..........

[Kriticality]

Good first steps. As everyone knows I'm here for the fame... The glory... A la Kenny Powers!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[extrapayah]

A charged time shift doesn't root mobs which happen to walk into the time shift, this wasn't like this before.
The number of mobs(I haven't done the counting but according to soeone on the forums) affected by clock is 11. If this number could be increased it would be better than the #1 stated in OP.

Gale with the extended knock back doesn't stun the mobs for the full amount of time.

Charged ice is only effective after the second charged ice hits mobs, it ignores most upgrades till the second charged ice hits a group of mobs.

Providing increase number of mobs hit from FB mastery will hardly solve anything for the average sorc, keep in mind there aren't enough skill points for mages even now, having to chose between increased AoE or the insanely useful ice mastery(it's a lifesaver at bosses) and clock mastery, leaves us lacking even more.

clock target max 10, it's on the description,

ice mastery helps? that's new @_@, i heard many said it's practically nonexistent chance at a mere 4%....

[Saud]

That's good thing to hear today
because while i was doing elite I actually felt unnecessary there
however, some of the changes are good
point 1 is very good, i always hate when i charge my fireball in big crowd of mobs
and some of them can't be stunned
point 2 is almost good, but its only when its full
because with point 1 buff and mastery we can Hit 13 Mobs!
also 1 sec reduce is kinda useful
point 3 I kinda didn't get it
does that mean the damage of ticks will increase
or when the clock dropping damage? ( i ment by dropping coming from the sky .. summon it )
and if so is it that big?
I kinda wish that clock can root all enemies
Thanks again for the buff..
hope that give us a chance to by in party of elite..

[RYYUKK]

Really thnx for this thread, there is some issues like last guys posted, ice skill dont freeze, clock doesnt been rooting mobs (new maps, or elite)

[Iiiiiiil]

i wish warriors skyward smash increase its maximum number of target not only radius when i level its masteries

and chest splitter please change its masteries please

[Gouiwaa9000]

Maybe a good idea is to give curse some use outside of PvP clashes? ( even there is going exticnt now ) it's been months since I saw a mage use curse in pve and PvP. It's a very cool side kick ,but it's simply not worth it to sacrifice a attack skill for it. I think this should be our de-buff skill . I suggest that curse will simply grant the sorcerer a 65%( 75% if charged ) damage reflection for its duration . + maybe a 1% armor bebuff per 2 points for its mastery , and In order to balance the skill, reducing the range of it by 1-2 meters?

[Ticklish]

I believe what we really expect is for mages to be able to do better crowd control. Allow their skills to stun/root/freeze/slow for all types of mobs, even if you need to decrease the duration for elites. If root is too op for elites, at least have it slow the mobs?

[Befs]

Great ideas, and they should be implemented. However, this will force sorcerers to use the above skills.

There should also be a small buff to crit as well imo.