Simple Thievery Suggestion

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

I really like the change to simple thievery, it has great potential. However it lacks in one aspect, and that is that the skill you steal is 90% useless because you have 0 in that attribute.

My suggestion is that simple theivery also "borrows" their attribute rating, so if you steal a monk's Word of Healing you can use it to heal for the 122+94, rather then the 15+5 you normally get from using word of healing at 0.

This would make the skill useful for more then just using it on unattributed spells, or as an elite powerlock with longer recharge (if you hit a spell, it goes down for 19 seconds, and you're down for 29 seconds). My suggestion doesnt make the spell insanely powerful, however it makes it alot more useful.

It still has problems, for instance if you steal an ele's rodgorts invocation, despite having the 14 fire the ele had, you probably can't use it because you dont have the energy management to go along with it the ele had. Also, if you steal a spell in you're attribute line from someone with lower attributes, you won't get the full benefit of the spell that you would have if it used you're attributes.

EDIT: Duckboy's Suggestion of the skill using you're domination rank is a better idea.

Ele Mental

Ele Mental

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Sep 2007

Underworld, being farmed for ecto by r3s

In Soviet Russia Servers Hate [You]

W/E

yh thats the only thing although i did see someone steal a monster skill at aspenwood the other day, however they have fixed that bug now

yh /signed

its a good idea but maybe it would become a little bit too overpowering, maybe if it was just half of the opponents attributes

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

Maybe 1/2 although i didnt think having the same rank as the person you stole it from is that broken, because it requires skill to take the skill, and when you do its there for 20 seconds w/o the ability to get rid of it earlier.

BTW incase this was misunderstood, i didnt mean steal the opponents attributes, merely copy so that you can use the skill effectively, w/o removing the attributes from ur opponent (like WoD).

Taking the attributes may be a good attribute with a slight change to the skill:

Make it a hex, and when it interupts a skill that skill is "stolen" and the attribute line of that skill is reduced to 0. This means that it could be removed, whilst providing a better bonus on interupts.

duckboy

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2007

Duckboy

E/Me

signet of illusions was a step in the attribute using line, where it uses YOUR illusion attribute so u can use taken spells effectively. However this is an elite in itself thus u cant use both. Because 'Simple Thievery' is an elite, i think this should've been included in the skill from the off.

'Interrupt target foe's action. If that action was a skill, that skill is disabled for 5..20 seconds, and Simple Thievery is replaced by that skill using your domination attribute.'

Pick Me

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Thornill, ON, Canada

THE CANUCK MONKS (TCM)

W/R

I think all of the theivery skills work fine. The object is mainly to stop the other guy from using that skill, rather than for you to use it at their same level.

Although against monsters these skills are almost useless, as I used 3 skills that steal skills from other people, and I got 2 of the same spells from one monster and 1 skill from that same monster. How can one monster (a rit boss) have 2 copies of Spirit Rift? If the description is correct, one of my spell stealing skills should replace Spirit Rift, thus I shouldn't be able to steal it again, but I did.

I wonder if I arcane echoed one of my spell stealing skills, could I steal the same spell a 3rd time.

Vesio

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2008

Praetoria Legionarius

Mo/

the answer to the question above is yes, I've done it before.

Sir Pandra Pierva

Sir Pandra Pierva

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2007

Sardelec yelling at Tenshi

Angels Of Strife

E/

i wish simple would at least work like the monster skill monkey see monkey do

upier

upier

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Done.

[JUNK]

Dear A.Net,
Please overpower Simple Thievery by removing it's recharge!
Pretty please, with flowers on top!
:flowers:

That's all I want from this skill - otherwise I won't even bother going near it!

cgruber

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2007

Tryst of Vengenance [ToV]

Mo/Me

diversion + 3 spell steals + arcane echo = 1 shutdown mofo

Lishy

Lishy

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by duckboy
'Interrupt target foe's action. If that action was a skill, that skill is disabled for 5..20 seconds, and Simple Thievery is replaced by that skill using your domination attribute.' I like that effect.But maybe we can change the recharge time to 0 and make it an insta-cast?

draxynnic

draxynnic

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Nov 2005

[CRFH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by duckboy
signet of illusions was a step in the attribute using line, where it uses YOUR illusion attribute so u can use taken spells effectively. However this is an elite in itself thus u cant use both. Because 'Simple Thievery' is an elite, i think this should've been included in the skill from the off.

'Interrupt target foe's action. If that action was a skill, that skill is disabled for 5..20 seconds, and Simple Thievery is replaced by that skill using your domination attribute.' This proposal has my support.

horseradish

horseradish

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2007

In a donut hole

Rt/A

This is relevant to my interests

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

I do like the Idea of the skill using you're domination attribute, thats better then mine. (Ill edit my post and change the reccomendation, w/ credit)

Miss Puddles

Miss Puddles

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2005

California

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

Me/

this seems too similar to signet of illusions.

Sir Pandra Pierva

Sir Pandra Pierva

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2007

Sardelec yelling at Tenshi

Angels Of Strife

E/

it should be it would allows mes to hvae more fun with messing with peoples bars

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

It is very similar to signet of illusions in that it allows you to use skills that would normally do little due to a low attribute rating. The point of this, is that in its current state, simple thievery is (essentially) an elite power lock, which is disabled for you for 29 seconds, whilst only disabling them for 19 seconds.

However, if the new skill was usable by the mesmer, then its more worthy of its elite status, rather then being useful simply for stealing rez sig, holy veil and other mesmer's skills.

upier

upier

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Done.

[JUNK]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luminarus
However, if the new skill was usable by the mesmer, then its more worthy of its elite status, rather then being useful simply for stealing rez sig, holy veil and other mesmer's skills. Arcane Larceny/Thievery - disable a random spell with the bonus of possibly using the spell.
Simple Thievery - IF it interrupts it disables a SPECIFIC SKILL with the bonus of possibly using the skill.
Trust me - it's worthy of the elite status.
It's just not very good.

And the problem is that it never can become good (well, unless they drop the recharge to 0) - because it's just too gimmicky.
Why use the elite on something that MIGHT turn out to be nice - when you can use it on something that you KNOW WILL turn out nice?

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by upier
Arcane Larceny/Thievery - disable a random spell with the bonus of possibly using the spell.
No skill involved in disabling that skill... fair enough that it shouldn't be chosen.

Quote: Originally Posted by upier Simple Thievery - IF it interrupts it disables a SPECIFIC SKILL with the bonus of possibly using the skill.
Trust me - it's worthy of the elite status.
It's just not very good. That requires skill & timing to interupt them, at which point it becomes possible slightly useful to you or not useful at all. Compared with power lock, which has 2 seconds longer recharge, disables it for 12 instead of 19 seconds (at 14) ISNT ELITE, and if it you use it correctly is usable more the TWICE AS MUCH.

This is my point as to why Simple Thievery in its current status isnt worthy of elite, because the fact thats its essentially a 30 second recharge, 10 energy crappy version of d-shot or power lock.


Quote:
Originally Posted by upier
And the problem is that it never can become good (well, unless they drop the recharge to 0) - because it's just too gimmicky.
Why use the elite on something that MIGHT turn out to be nice - when you can use it on something that you KNOW WILL turn out nice? If simple thievery was changed the way its been suggested, then any skill you take WILL turn out nice, and the down side of the 30second recharge if you interupt a skill is actually a bonus of 20seconds of a powerful support/offence skill you can use to your teams advantage.

upier

upier

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Done.

[JUNK]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luminarus
That requires skill & timing to interrupt them, at which point it becomes possible slightly useful to you or not useful at all. Compared with power lock, which has 2 seconds longer recharge, disables it for 12 instead of 19 seconds (at 14) ISN'T ELITE, and if it you use it correctly is usable more the TWICE AS MUCH.

This is my point as to why Simple Thievery in its current status isn't worthy of elite, because the fact that's its essentially a 30 second recharge, 10 energy crappy version of d-shot or power lock.
Spell VS. Action! Especially on a mesmer.
And D-shot is godly. Of course ST looks pale compared to it. Heck, most of the skills do.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luminarus
If simple thievery was changed the way its been suggested, then any skill you take WILL turn out nice, and the down side of the 30second recharge if you interrupt a skill is actually a bonus of 20seconds of a powerful support/offence skill you can use to your teams advantage. Turning out nice isn't only judged on the power of the skill.
It's also judged on how well it fits into a build.
And it's probably because of this that the skill doesn't receive the buff you suggested. Since the concept of losing a skill that fits into a build is strong enough to not demand the skill being also useful to the thief.

IF the skills were to be buffed - my first suggestions would be to change it so that once target foe dies - the bond is broken and AL/AT/ST revert back to their original form
(this is what I've been saying for ages since this would make these skills finally pretty decent in PvE!)

And then if they are feeling INSANELY generous (like previously stated) - remove the recharge on ST. It would probably be a "TAD" to much - but hey - it's not like I'd kick an overpowered skill out of my bar!

Luminarus

Luminarus

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2007

Sydney, Australia

Haze of Light [pure]

R/

0 Recharge would be a stupid buff, not making the skill any more useful, just allowing you to spam it more. Interupts shouldn't be spammed, but should take out key skills.

Simple Thievery now allows you to use the key skills you took out... oh wait, you dont have the attributes for it... darn, that sucks, what should I do with 1/8th of my bar, which used to hold my elite now has a useless skill...

This is a stupid situation that often pops up with simple thievery. Does this mean that the only useful application for this elite is stealing res sigs (which may or may not be useful to you're team), holy veil's, and other mesmer skills (which you may as well bring and a different elite or echo if you already have it on you're bar)

My argument for the change has been based on the fact that compared to other elites, & non elites the bonus gained from this elite are far less useful. Ill quickly list a couple:

1) Disables foe's skill for 19 seconds, however this results in a 29second!!! recharge... useless, p-lock is way better
2) The skill gained is 90% useless, unless you only interupt skills you can use which most probably arent key skills to be interupted
3) Once the skill takes effect, you're bar is lacking a viable elite (none, or an elite from a diff profession you can't use)

Wow, it can interupt an action ... y not bring Cry of Frustration... non elite, aoe damage, way better recharge.

If you want to knock out a skill from a build, try arcane larceny/theivery... non-elite, easier to steal the skill, still unusable. Also, blackout/diversion work wonders there too.

MAYBE if target foe dies the skills revert, however thats a minor change and really wouldnt make much difference, just allowing you to interupt earlier again, which is again a buff.

Finally I have one question:

Would making the skills stolen via simple thievery usable (assuming high enough dom) be broken, or balanced. I fail to see how it could be broken, as they were gonna use it anywayz, and you just lost you're elite skill to take their skill (and yours is out longer then the skill you interupted). Balanced, probably because unless the skill is already overpowered, it wouldnt make ST overpowered... also if you take a weapon attack, its useless for you, as is taking a high energy cost spell (eg rodgorts/b-flash) which the mesmer doesnt have the e-management to handle).

If anyone can show me one way in which having this option would be broken, then ill change my point of view. If you can't and all you have to say is stupid things like:

Quote:
Originally Posted by upier
Trust me - it's worthy of the elite status.
It's just not very good. When my suggestion is to change it to be decent, balanced and/or good, then please either a) reconsider you're point of view, or b) stop disregarding an idea that wont make the skill worse, or broken.

upier

upier

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Done.

[JUNK]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luminarus
snip
That's why I am trying to tell you.
The effect of the skill warrants it's elite status - compared to other skills that have a similar effect.
But that still doesn't change the fact that the effect isn't as good as the effect of some other elites - and that's why the elite is shun.
Same thing with something like Extend Conditions.

Quote: Originally Posted by Luminarus MAYBE if target foe dies the skills revert, however thats a minor change and really wouldnt make much difference, just allowing you to interupt earlier again, which is again a buff. What this causes is that one can use the primary effect of this skill - the disabling of a skill on the target foes skillbar effectively in PvE. Stuff dies way to fast to make a skill that steals a skill for 20+ secs even viable. The foe was punished and in PvE the foe is hurt by that even more because of the lacking builds - but once the foe dies, you are still stuck with the stolen skill.
So currently AL/AT are MUCH better in builds that have next to 0 investment in dom.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luminarus
0 Recharge would be a stupid buff, not making the skill any more useful, just allowing you to spam it more. Interupts shouldn't be spammed, but should take out key skills. Interrupts should be spammed in PvE. So by removing the recharge the skill becomes insane in PvE.
Where as in PvP you already have the effect you want. ST takes out a key skill. And not JUST interrupts it - but REALLY takes it out.


Am I saying that your change is bad?
No. It would really make the skill better.
What I am saying though is if you look at the skills that are currently in the game - you can already see that ST does not need a buff because it currently is already elite worthy.
It's just not worth using.

Lishy

Lishy

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by upier
Interrupts should be spammed in PvE. So by removing the recharge the skill becomes insane in PvE. 16 illusion magic+13 fast casting+0 domination=GG
Fill your bar with overpowered illusion skills for aoe armor ignoring damage and the most spammable interupt in the game=Simple thievery with 0 domination magic :P
But why the domination line?I think it should be inspiration.But thats a personal opinion.

Terraban

Terraban

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kain Fz
16 illusion magic+13 fast casting+0 domination=GG
Fill your bar with overpowered illusion skills for aoe armor ignoring damage and the most spammable interupt in the game=Simple thievery with 0 domination magic :P
But why the domination line?I think it should be inspiration.But thats a personal opinion. Or just take Power Return and use an actual elite.

upier

upier

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Done.

[JUNK]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Terraban
Or just take Power Return and use an actual elite. The reason why ST would be so godly is because it interrupts everything - which is pretty darn crucial in a game with "monster skills".

Bowstring Badass

Bowstring Badass

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Character selection screen figuring what I want to play...

Purple Lingerie - :D

Signet of Illusion
Arcane Thievery
Arcane Larceny
Diversion
Power Leak
Power Drain
Optional
Optional


There do I win?

weretoad

weretoad

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2007

league of the elite

Me/

blackout is a fine shutdown skill, and i don't think messing with other peoples bar should be generalized.