Hey all! Here it is, the big 100th update! We've been posting development updates for almost two whole years now, and I sometimes find myself looking back to see how far the project has come. Recent updates have been a bit slow, mostly various UI changes and the like. But now, it is my pleasure to introduce you all to a core game mechanic that we've been working on for a long time now: Master Skills!
Alongside Skills, Spells and Weaponskills, Master Skills are another type of activated ability, requiring their own resource to be built up before use. This resource, which we're calling Mastery at the moment, is built up by spending Focus (FP) at a one-to-one ratio. Using a Master Skill requires reaching 100% Mastery, and consumes the entire resource upon use. These skills are extremely powerful, limited by how few times per battle you'll get to use them; anywhere from 0-2 times depending on the length of the battle.
Due to the resource being gained by spending FP, this means that classes which generate and spend FP quicker will get to use their Master Skills more often. Similarly, classes that generate FP slower (such as spellcasters like Lumimancer and Pyromancer) will get to use theirs less. We've taken this into account and designed each class' Master Skill with the frequency of use in mind, leading slower classes to have generally stronger skills.
Each class gets access to only one Master Skill, available from Rank 1. At certain class ranks, the Master Skill receives slight enhancements, such as increasing range or adding an additional buff/debuff on hit. While most of the skills are still in development and unable to be shown off, I do have two I can talk about today: Lumimancer and Pyromancer! As spellcasters, they have skills which are both strong and awesome, so I figured there was no better way to introduce the mechanic than with some of the coolest!
First, we have Lumimancer and the Seraphim skill! This skill creates a seraphic avatar out of light, which fires three devastating beams onto targeted areas! Much like Flash, the standard Lumimancer spell, this skill also deals damage to enemies while healing allies. While it does hit three times, it can only affect the same unit once per use, so dropping all three beams on one enemy will be pretty ineffective (it was really funny before we changed it though).
At later ranks, Seraphim gets upgraded to apply Illuminated to enemies. Since this skill can target up to 15 tiles under optimal conditions, it has the potential to be extremely strong, so we'll be keeping an eye on the power level. It also has a much longer range than other Lumimancer options, so its bound to find use when you need it most!
Pyromancer gets access to the destructive power of Worldrazer, a massive area-of-effect damage Master Skill. Worldrazer summons down a flaming meteor, dealing extreme damage in a huge area. Much like Pyromancer's other spells, the meteor does not care for whom it annihilates; ally or enemy alike. In the aftermath, expect the ground to be burned and barren having been Scorched, a tile effect that reduces incoming healing and deals damage upon movement through the tile.
Those who survive the impact will find themselves similarly burned, taking additional damage at the start of their turns. Worldrazer is truly a force of complete destruction, and is thankfully limited by the slow rate of FP generation that Pyromancer suffers from. At higher ranks, Worldrazer gains additional power based on how many stacks of Rings of Infernum the caster has, among other effects.
Alongside the skills being functional in-game, we've also made some improvements to our VFX systems and workflow; we're now able to animate a few more things, including the camera! Right now, we're using it primarily for Master Skills, to truly sell the scale and scope of the skill. I've included some early looks at the visual effects for both Seraphim and Worldrazer today, and while we wouldn't exactly say they're finished, I hope they can give you an idea of just how powerful these skills are meant to be.
Once we have a few more completed, I'll put together a video showcasing the Master Skills for our eight Beta classes, but until then I ask for your patience. Please look forward to more looks at these powerful skills in the future, and thanks for tuning in!
(Showcase clips muted, haven't done sound effects yet. Apologies, please enjoy the VFX regardless!)