[suggestion] Better spell information from levelups

By Heavenfall on January 22, 2012 5:55:48 PM from

Heavenfall

Join Date 07/2008

+378

The spells listed there can be clicked to be shown in hiergamemon, or hovered over to read their description. This additional screen is SCROLLABLE and DYNAMIC (think of the modders, please). Most importantly, the screen takes into account what other traits you have already, in order to show you spells that combine traits from multiple disciplines.

For example, if I have Air 2 and Fire1, and I select in the level-up screen Fire 2, the following spells should show up:

Feedback
Fireball
Focus
(sorry, those were fire3)

Burning Blade
Flame Dart
Tireless March

The icons in front of the spell would correctly describe what combination of traits is allowing this character to cast these spells.

A great idea.

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Fixed OP, those spells were for fire3 not fire 2

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Bump because this is very important. The spell information NEEDS to be available in some manner from the level-up screen.

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I agree.

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I agree.

And also actual spell damage adjusted by stats, shards and perks (Invoker, Path of the Mage) should show in tactical battle, not just the basic unmodified damage as it is now.

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Yes, that sort of dynamic tooltip would be excellent for spells. Although we have to keep in mind that tooltips can only really show what YOU add to the spell. It may well be possible that you're using a fireball on a fire-immune mob. My point is, there are offensive boosts to spells that should show up in the tooltip. But there are also defensive boosts that allow targets to ignore spells.

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Which takes us back to the coloured damage suggestion

tooltip says Fire bolt spell 8 damage

a floating damage icon that says in red [fire symbol] 4 (Resisted) or [fire symbol] 12 (vulnerable) or [fire symbol] 0 (immune)

gives all the information required, at a time where it should be obvious to the character.

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That sounds cool.

Another way would be for the game to actively read what damage the spell is going to do as you hover over things. Doesn't the Ai need that information anyway? To make smart spell choices.

Hmm, we're going off-topic...

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Any chance of getting this into the game? Seems really important to me. Currently, I level-up, I get choices of spelltraits, they mention spells, but I have NO idea what they do. And I can't go to the hiergamenon until I select a trait and close the level-up screen.

And the tooltips for the spelltraits aren't complete. It's really annoying to get unlocks due to multiple spelltraits, that I have no idea I am getting.

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I totally agree with the original post, great idea heavenfall (Am thinking of going over the UI at some point). I want a voting thingie so I can vote this idea up .. ...

Couple of other good ideas in here too, a shame devs are sleeping on the job

Sincerely
~ Kongdej

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Quoting Heavenfall,

reply 3

Bump because this is very important. The spell information NEEDS to be available in some manner from the level-up screen.

Absolutely. I would also expand this by saying that in the spellbook, we need to be aware of what combination of traits are allowing us to cast a spell.

Can't tell you how many times I've wondered when and how a spell appeared in my spellbook.

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Good idea in the OP. For non-spell casting traits, it could perhaps show the changes in the underlying stats as well since the standard level up screen doesn't show Accuracy, Dodge, etc.

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Agreed. the more info you show on level up, it makes us more aware of what is at stake and more interesting choices...

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Aye. All of the suggestions in this thread are extremely important.

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quoting post

Another option would be to add another screen to the trait selection screen. When selecting a spell trait, but before you click OK, this screen would pop up. It will show you exactly what spells will become available.

Mockup: http://i.imgur.com/j775b.png

The spells listed there can be clicked to be shown in hiergamemon, or hovered over to read their description. This additional screen is SCROLLABLE and DYNAMIC (think of the modders, please). Most importantly, the screen takes into account what other traits you have already, in order to show you spells that combine traits from multiple disciplines.

This is excellent. I sincerely hope Stardock's team listens to you.

Just as an addendum, I'd like to see a "current status" screen for all heroes and cities when these popup, showing traits, buildings, etc. Informed choices are good. Uninformed choices are likely to be bad, and are always frustrating.

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My name is Supreme Shogun and I agree with this message.

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