new spellcasting type:
Conversion
I had this idea from looking at what already exists in terms of casting mechanics, so I'll start by going through them and then continue to explain the concept in detail.
breakdown of spellcasting types:
| Instant Cast | Event and cost at button press. | |
| Timed Cast | Set amount of time. Event and cost at end. | |
| Channeling | Set amount of time. Events split over the duration. Cost at start. | |
| Empowered | Set/chosen amount of time. Event at release. | |
| *new Conversion | Amount of time based on available resources. Toggleable for controll. Events at intervals. Cost at events. |
Following the addition of Empowered spells, Conversion is a new type of spellcasting with a new casting bar. Once a Conversion spell is activated, it passively converts available resources into effects at intervals, while allowing you to simultaneously cast other spells over the duration of the spell. Which spells that are allowed depend on the class. Conversion spells are inherently castable while moving, but cancels and ignores all speed increase modifiers.
Conversion spells are in essence an evolvement of toggled abilites, with the the additions of auto-cancel when resource depleted, and interface elements being moved from the Buffs Icon Bar to a new type of casting bar. Conversion is also canceled by pressing the button again like a toggled ability, or using a different type of casting*.
How would it work and what would it look like?
The Conversion bar would look something like a horizontal single track of Guitar Hero (a bar that doesn’t have a set beginning or end), but with the important difference that you don’t press a button when the “note” hits the mark. Instead an animation and sound effect is played and gives feedback of the event.
conversion spell example:
Malefic Rapture
Conversion
Erupts your Corruption, Agony and Unstable Affliction upon inflicted enemies every 1.2 sec, dealing Shadow damage.
Each eruption consumes a Soul Shard until non remains. Castable while moving.
Instant spells are castable while casting Malefic Rapture, and Unstable Affliction can be cast instantly while Malefic Rapture is active.
new single target spell idea to complement:
Blightburst
Useable while casting Malefic Rapture (replaces Shadow Bolt/Drain Soul hotkey)
4 sec cooldown
Instant
Hurls corrosive magic at the target, dealing Shadowdecay damage.
Malefic Rapture eruptions increases the damage of your next Blightburst by 20%, stacking 5 times.
How does Conversion differ from a channeled spell that allows you to move?
Unlike Channeling spells, you don’t spend resources in advance of the effect. Every event/conversion of resources happen at the passing of the mark, and Conversion is automatically canceled when it cannot convert a resource. Also there’s the opportunity to make events (or intervals) happen at different speeds, speeding up and slowing down during Conversion, whereas Channeling spell events are split over the duration.
While casting a Conversion spell you may also be able to cast other specific spells and make use of passive effects that generates resources as resources gained during the spell extends the duration; if it can be converted at the mark.
What does the game gain from adding this?
There’s something inbetween continued button smashing casting and being locked in one long casting animation, and that is a design space worth exploring.
Layered and simultaneous casting is something that has been implemented more and more with spells that “also casts this other spell”, and this would be a continuation of that line of design.
The goal would be to enter fluid stage cycles in your rotation where you are casting a spell that’s impactful on its own, while being able to move and cast some other spells on top of it, and not having to fill every global cooldown. This does require some adjustments and designing context around it to balance the numbers and feel of it, though it’s necessary for the combat gameplay to evolve, and what better time and opportunity than during Alpha.
