Essentially, the Monk's resource revolves around the concept of balance. His abilities either generate Yin or Yang. The orb could even use the classic Yin and Yang symbol (or a Blizzard-designed one). As more Yin-generating (Yang-depleting) abilities are used, more of the black leaks into the white area. Once completely black, the Monk is unable to generate anymore Yin and so must use more Yang-generating abilities in order to restore balance.
When out of combat, the orb slowly returns towards neutral. 'Mana orb' drops quicken the speed. In addition, there could be passive abilities in the tech tree to shift the neutral point towards Yin (so you can use more Yang-generating abilities) or Yang; allowing the Monk access to powerful combos from the very start of a fight.
The benefits of such a system includes:
- Suits the Monk's philosophy lore-wise.
- The Monk would always be able to use special abilities; thus compensating for his limited range of weapons/items. The restraint would be on what combos you can use.
- Beginners would need to spam 2 abilities (one Yang-generating and one Yin-generating) instead of just one as the game progresses. This would then promote the concept of mixing up the Monk's combos.
Any comments?
P.S.: For those who didn't quite understand this idea, it essentially means that the Monk's energy meter would be from -100 to +100 with him starting at 0. Certain abilities have a positive cost while others a negative one.|||Actually, it's an interesting idea. It'd be fun to play someone with such a system.. but it probably wouldn't work well with combos, at least not with some, it would reduce the combo possibilities|||Two problems with this:
1. Limits builds. Kind of like saying you can't make a pure storm wizard and you have to use skills from other trees just because.
2. Now the Monk has an unlimited resource. Yeah you have to switch between yin and yang skills but you can never run out.|||Quote:
1. Limits builds. Kind of like saying you can't make a pure storm wizard and you have to use skills from other trees just because.
I don't think the Yin/Yang-generating abilities should be restricted to separate trees but rather distributed amongst all three trees.
Quote:
2. Now the Monk has an unlimited resource. Yeah you have to switch between yin and yang skills but you can never run out.
I actually think this is a good thing. As seen at Blizzcon, Blizzard seems to want this to happen (at least with the Barbarian). Moreover, the Monk's lack of weapon choice would impair his ability to use normal attacks. Plus, constantly dishing out devastating special attacks is very reminiscent of the fighting games the Monk is based on.
Quote:
Actually, it's an interesting idea. It'd be fun to play someone with such a system.. but it probably wouldn't work well with combos, at least not with some, it would reduce the combo possibilities
It would mainly limit combo possibilities at higher levels (i.e. cost-heavy abilities) and when at near maximum Yin or Yang. The former is appropriate for the higher player skill level at that point in time as well as from a balance perspective. As for the latter, this is no different than with any finite resource system (not being able to use certain or all abilities because you've exhausted your energy). Moreover, this promotes players to explore other combos of varying complexities (depending on skill) in order to maintain sustainable energy. In other words, I think this actually favors the use of multiple combos (as opposed to spamming just one ability).|||nice idea. It would fit the profile a monk.|||cool idea but what skills would you designate as yin vs yang. I mean literally, yin represents all that is good while yang represents all that is bad. so are you saying that the monk needs some restorative/defensive "yin" vs pure attack "yang"?
like other poster stated, the requirement to alternate between different skills can put a quick cap on what the monk can feasibly do at a given time with his skills. sounds cool, lore-wise.|||Quote:
cool idea but what skills would you designate as yin vs yang. I mean literally, yin represents all that is good while yang represents all that is bad. so are you saying that the monk needs some restorative/defensive "yin" vs pure attack "yang"?
like other poster stated, the requirement to alternate between different skills can put a quick cap on what the monk can feasibly do at a given time with his skills. sounds cool, lore-wise.
Not to nitpick but yang is actually the light where as yin is the dark. Also, 'yin and yang' represents opposites of all forms; including female/male, winter/summer and of course evil/good. Regarding how the skills are distributed, it can (and would even make sense) if they were arbitrarily distributed evenly between the trees. That said, linking them to lore and aesthetics would work even better.
As for the comment on how it limits combo options, I disagree. If a person constantly spams the same Yang-generating ability to the point it maxes out, it's no surprise when there comes the time where he would no longer be able to use said ability as well as other Yang-generating abilities (and can only cast Yin-generating abilities). The same goes to a Wizard who constantly spams Disintegrate to the point she reaches zero mana. She can't cast any abilities whatsoever. The difference between them is that unlike the Wizard, the Monk can cast Yin-generating abilities (or one big one) to allow himself to regain his ability to cast Yang-generating abilities. So when you think about it, it actually widens combo options.|||This is a pretty unique and logical resource for the Monk. Not only does it reference the culture, but it forces the player to think and act according to the balance principle, which is a great way to change pace between different characters.
Also, as pointed out by peasant, Yang and Yin are not specifically based on good and evil, but rather the idea that opposites are not exclusive of each other and that these opposite forces compliment and work with one and another.|||Quote:
Suits the Monk's philosophy lore-wise.
Does it really?
Think about it for a second. Nothing in the existing lore (i.e. the small passage from Abd all-Hazir) points to the monk and balance. It depicts someone looking for battle, people fear him so much that they dare not sit with him in a bar. When in a fight he shows no restraint and utterly destroys his opponents (burnt flesh, cracking of bones). He is also clearly enjoying the battle 'the monk was laughing as he fought' and '...rabbed the demon by the neck, grinning as he pulled his free arm back...'. Also 'he went on to describe his intense mental and physical training, his unending quest to hone his mind and body into an instrument of divine justice', he has but one purpose in life, one thing he strives for and that is to tip the balance into the favour of 'devine justice' not to create balance.
Plus, how do you fit a thousand and one gods into a yin-yang system?
Yes, the system would fit with ordinary, unoriginal monks. But will it fit into Diablo?
edit: yin-yang could be described as good-evil or light-dark (would be the most logical in this context?), but they do not wish to balance these, mearly to rid the world of the dark/evil.|||Quote:
Does it really?
If you read the whole story yes it does.
Quote:
Think about it for a second. Nothing in the existing lore (i.e. the small passage from Abd all-Hazir) points to the monk and balance.
Yin and Yang as said before is not about balance and more about opposites.
Quote:
It depicts someone looking for battle, people fear him so much that they dare not sit with him in a bar.
Someone that sits at a table and does nothing till attacked doesn't seem much like a person "looking for battle.” Nowhere in the story was the word fear written. "I noted a certain tension in the room" - Abd al-hazir. The only group in the tavern besides the monk where the demons.
Quote:
When in a fight he shows no restraint and utterly destroys his opponents (burnt flesh, cracking of bones). He is also clearly enjoying the battle 'the monk was laughing as he fought' and '...rabbed the demon by the neck, grinning as he pulled his free arm back...'.
The "people" that attacked him were all demons. This would also lead to how Yin and Yang fit him, because it highlights the opposites in the monks character. He is calm and friendly to Hazir one second and the next second he is breaking demon necks.
Quote:
how do you fit a thousand and one gods into a yin-yang system?
Correct me if I am wrong but isn't it China that came up with the Yin and Yang theory? And is it not China that had/has 154 (or something like that) gods? So if both of these theories came from the same place they must not contradict themselves.
Quote:
Yes, the system would fit with ordinary, unoriginal monks. But will it fit into Diablo?
All of the cultures in the Diablo world are spin offs of cultures in our world, so I don't know why you think the diablo world should have some wieldy different story and culture for their monk.
So to summarize, a Yin and Yang system fits very well for a monk. It would highlight his already mentioned opposite behavior. How he could be a servant of light but in his actions seem just as vicious as the demons he kills. Looking at the whole story and you will see how a yin and yang style resource fits not only his personality but his skill set, of combo and non combo moves.
I also just want to say, we may not know many of his skills but one can guess that they won't put all the combo moves in one tree. One wouldn’t have to take skills in every tree just to use the character. I am also sure that Blizzard wouldn’t want someone to just take combo skills.
No comments:
Post a Comment