[SUGGESTION] Block visuals for staves

Negwereth · January 2018

[ATTENTION] Main suggestion is to change how blocking with staves looks and there are few suggestions in the end how I'd like it to work. First part is important, second is just fun suggestions.

Here is part you'll definitely would like:

This thought was around me for a while.

How blocking is looking now? Oh, this super-mega big daedra lord is gonna to hit me with biggest blow in Tamriel history? Let's put my wooden stick in front of me, I bet all the damage would be focused on this three-inch thick piece of wood! Really, I think that my char closes his eyes and turn his head off enemy.

It just not feels, ehm... It do not feels in any way. It's not blocking, just swinging with wooden bar.

What am I proposing? First of all, let thank to Crazilix for this amazing screenshot.

See? This is completely different skill, but it completely feels like this sorceress is blocking with force shield. So, let's take our situation:

Oh, this super-mega big daedra lord is gonna to hit me with biggest blow in Tamriel history?

So, I'll put my force shield in front of me, chanelling power from staff! Who is POWER, WHO IS FORCE, HUH?!

It is about immersion.

The part you'll definitely wouldn't like:

IMPORTANT: further thoughts are just thoughts but I'll be extrememly happy if ZOS would implement it.

And we have four staff types. Each can add something interesting.

For example, force shield can block less damage than board but put some additional effect:

Fire staff can return % amount of melee damage;
Ice staff can reflect spells
Lightning staff can reflect projectiles
Restoration staff can splash some AOE % healing

Also force shield can block, for example, 50% of already blocked damage in small cone behind caster. And other crazy mechanics, yeah.

Getern · January 2018

Combine this with Sorceror's shield stacking and then what? You expect to not get killed? PVP is not about taking all the heat, more about kiting and preparing for strike. First CC in laggy enviroment and u are going down. Zenimax, I dont know what they were thinking, introduced "magica block" with frost staff already. What else do u want? It absorbs Magica instead of stamina, so u can use it. Its literally the same effect.

How do u differ spells and projectiles? Most projetiles are also spells. It would be way to overpowered that way, then returing dmg? Go play with blazing shield. Only certain classes have certain skills accesibility for reasons. Why would every class should have it?

How about we wont be coming up with crazy ideas breaking PVP even more? Zenimax might get ideas and unless u are total brainless pug/zergling it wont affect you. But it might end up very bad for someone who tries to have fun from dynamic gameplay, which already is barely existing.

Negwereth · January 2018

@Getern first of all, I suggest animation changes, not the essential mechanics. Mechanics thoughts are enlisted after massive "IMPORTANT" badge.

So main thing is to change how staff block looks.

Getern · January 2018

babich.sseb17_ESO2 wrote: »

Fire staff can return % amount of melee damage;

Ice staff can reflect spells

Lightning staff can reflect projectiles

Restoration staff can splash some AOE % healing

You do want new mechanic as the result of blocking. I am aware u mention that and I find it game breaking.

So basically every single staff should allow blocking with cost of Magica? Nope, not a single one should absorb Magica.

I am just telling u to stop insist on implumenting something, what not only already exist in the game but is also not efficient at all. SoB is default tool for blocking, everything else is just occasional block of Meteors for example.

Negwereth · January 2018

@Getern I am sorry I wrote my post in way that confused you.

Main suggestion is to change visuals, not mechanics.
All other staff - just "oh, and I'd like to see it very much, but I understand that it total mechanics rework, but I'll say anyway, who knows where it can lead".

Or should I verify ideas to some responsible people around before I can post them?

xaraan · January 2018

I like the idea of changing the visuals of staff blocking (especially ice staff blocking since it's an official blocking tool to rival sword/board), but not the mechanics.

Izaki · January 2018

I could get behind the animation changes... But not the rest

TequilaFire · January 2018

I am confused as when you fight with a staff or a pole weapon the current visual is how you block because it is a physical block not a magic block.

kargen27 · January 2018

The animation for blocking doesn't really bother me. Blocking with a staff isn't any more or less silly than blocking with any other weapon in the game. I assume a wooden stick that can produce a blast of fire might also be able to mitigate damage. You are still getting hit it just doesn't hurt quite so bad.
Arrows never hit us but somehow cause damage. Armor never gets dented and our bodies never bruise. Oil never sticks to us yet it continues to damage us. Damage we never see. My characters hair (those that have hair) has never once caught on fire.
So a stick taking damage for me makes perfect sense with all this going on. Maybe it is you putting the aura of protection up and you could block damage with your bare hands. If so then why shouldn't you be able to do the same thing holing a staff. And maybe that staff is intensifying your aura of protection?

Lynx7386 · January 2018

Its fine for fire/shock/resto staves, they still block with stamina. Ice staves should definitely get some kind of frosty magic shield projector animation though.

Negwereth · January 2018

kargen27 wrote: »

And maybe that staff is intensifying your aura of protection?

My point is to see that aura when blocking.

Kuramas9tails · January 2018

babich.sseb17_ESO2 wrote: »

My point is to see that aura when blocking.

I like this

logarifmik · January 2018

Similar to OP's idea crossed my mind too. I hate how blocking with stuff animation looks like. First they force all mages to use this stupid stick, and then they forbid them to protect themselves in a fancy magical way. Such a waste of epicness!

idk · January 2018

Looks more like a Spell that a regular block.

As if is there is no difference between a 2H sword and a staff which makes sense. Btw, that staff is not an ordinary piece of wood.

DoctorESO · January 2018

.

monktoasty · January 2018

The staves are magical thus can block a sword. Explanation logical no animation change get needed. But I do like that you have such a good idea it's just I like the current animation

Negwereth · January 2018

Yes, thanks for all your comments.
I see that mechanics part called an unexpected wave of hate. Sorry.
The only reason I started this suggestion - I want to look EPIC when blocking as mage. This game already provide a lot of EPICNESS feels but some extra wouldn`t be harm.

For reference - frame from DA:I cinematics:

Pure epicness.

Ajaxduo · January 2018

Changes I'd generally like to see is elemental shielding animations determined by what kind kind of staff you have equipped, also perhaps make blocking consume magicka and no magicka regen whilst blocking with a staff in general (because it makes sense). I don't think there should be any other rework of the block mechanic though, it already is strong.

RavenSworn · January 2018

I don't think I want to have that blocking with staves aside from frost staves to use magicka. This is a complete overhaul of mechanics and will make magicka based builds broken, regardless of pvp or pve. I understand if it seems epic but what we need is something that is 1) lore based 2) viable enough to not break the game mechanics.

I suggest the animation changes to have a 'frost wall' or 'block' as part of the blocking animation. It fits the theme, doesn't break any game mechanic and basically makes frost staff tanking a bit more epic. Having an ice wall to use as block is much better than just a ward or a spell shield (which we already have in damage shields).

Logically, having a fire wall or a lightning based wall doesn't 'block' anything, even the physical attacks. That's my two cents anyway.

Negwereth · January 2018

@RavenSworn to be honest, a lot of things in Tamriel are out of logical explanation. And element based walls are least of these things.

Actually I propose to imagine staff block as element themed force shield. Just barely visible magic obstacle with elemental visuals, like sparks, embers and so on.

RavenSworn · January 2018

babich.sseb17_ESO2 wrote: »

@RavenSworn to be honest, a lot of things in Tamriel are out of logical explanation. And element based walls are least of these things.

Actually I propose to imagine staff block as element themed force shield. Just barely visible magic obstacle with elemental visuals, like sparks, embers and so on.

Heh, I know but to have one thing will lead to another. "why would a fire themed force shield use stamina to block? That's just weird." and when enough people clamor for the staff block to use magicka..

I love the animation idea don't get me wrong, just not one that shows a shield. You already get that in magicka damage shields. An ice wall forming from the casters hand, while doing the restoration staff rest pose... That seems more epic to me. An ice wall can stop arrows, physical attacks and spells thrown at it. That sounds better yes?

Vanthras79 · January 2018

It should like TES V's ward spell.