RFC Poisons Fix - Tri state buff & debuff

Rune_Relic

@ZOS_JessicaFolsom @ZOS_GinaBruno @Wrobel

Hi ZOS,

There is an uproar about poisons and to be more precise their stickiness and ease of removal as well as power.
Its along the lines of ...how can something as powerful as radiant destruction exist without having simple counters.
ie The more powerful something is, the easier it should be to remove.
So I have a suggestion that should hopefully keep everyone happy.


Xv1 problem.

You solved this to some extent by using debuff 'status' that cannot stack power wise but can stack duration wise.
I understand you need to stack duration to recompense additional costs when re-applied
That's fair, but leaves us with the potential problem of an endless powerful poison that cant be removed easily.
This is no different to the stun and snare stacking in a way and can be solved in a similar manner.


Tri-State switch.

These are all the buffs in game...
http://esoacademy.com/buffs-debuffs/
..that have a specific state associated with the player.
They all Increase X
The obvious negative counterpart 'states' that Decrease X are provided by poisons and such.

My proposal is to combine the...
Increase + Normal + Decrease
...into a 3 state switch.
ie.
Using a buff transitions from decrease > normal > increase
Using a debuff transitions from increase > normal > decrease


Conclusion.

In the Xv1 situation or solo play:
The buff/debuff duration can still be stacked
The buff/debuff power can not stack
Their are a multitude of way to invoke the different buffs and debuffs allowing lots of counters.
Every action requires a reaction and associated cost.
It is upto the players to decide if it is appropriate to invoke the costs associated with a debuff counter (ie a buff) or endure it.
It is upto the player to decide if it is appropriate to invoke the costs associated with a debuff on another player that they could counter.
The duration does not have to be 'unstacked'...making Xv1 survivable instead of a guaranteed death sentence in regard debuffs.

Duration stacking becomes a gamble.
If you stack a buff repeatedly so you don't have to activate them mid-fight, someone could negate those buffs with one shot wasting your resource.
This encourages a more dynamic playstyle where it is advisable to buff only as and when required or sparingly ...rather than buffspam.
The other side is in Xv1 situations where a negative effects duration is stacked on you...you can remove the whole stack in one go.