I really like these ideas.

>>1) Lore primaries get a -1 bonus to minimum ANALYZE roundtime

When I first read this I thought you meant the ANALYZE <item> command, which would also be a nice perk (along with shorter appraisal times).


- Navesi

Add additional analyze combos too! Make defensive combos! Add grappling moves!

Defensive combos I would like to see become a Paladin thing, sort of like how offensive combos (that do stuff like give accuracy/damage buffs) are a Barbarian thing.

More types of combos or being able to choose what kind of combo you do are nice suggestions.

Grappling is an offensive martial art that involves using the body as a weapon, brawling seems perfect there, which is where it currently exists. Practical application of tactics in combat I think would be more like the idea of pressure points, which is what I picture when I think of analyze stun.

Other suggestion: a non-damaging combo option for the empaths out there (that uses only bob/circle/weave/grapple/tackle/shove).

> Hmm. I dig the idea of each guild having a set of ANALYZE moves specific to the guild, tied to the guild skill.

I do to, but what would that look like? Filling guild weaknesses, or further bolstering strengths? Spit balling here.

Barbarian: Analyze <target> Cleave. If you kill the target during your analyze then you spin to face another target, get a free brawling move, and apply the remaining combo moves to that target without having to do another analyze. Trains brawling and expertise. Maybe gives an inner fire bonus.
Bard: Analyze <target> Distract. Hitting the target causes them to stop facing or aiming at you. Trains performance and bardic lore.
Cleric: Analyze <target> Curse. A set of moves to curse the target. All of your anti-undead spells now work on this target, and killing it in this state has a chance for a devotion boost. Trains theurgy and debilitation.
Empaths: Analyze <target> Shift. You're given dance-like moves (weave, bob, circle) regardless of weapon, and it always ends in a shove. This gives a "touch" effect that increases pain reception (+damage) if living or undead. Trains empathy and brawling (or athletics).
Moon Mages: Analyze <target> Drain. This is the luck draining move. Similar to empaths, but you steal a bit of luck when you do it. trains astrology and brawling.
Necromancer: Analyze <target> Ritual. Similar to empaths, but giving you moves for a bladed weapon. If the target is bleeding at the end then your pet gets a "frenzy" and rushes to the target for a free hit. Trains thanatology and athletics.
Paladins: Analyze <target> disable. Successful analyze greatly reduces the target's defensive factor for the next attack against them. It's kind of a stretch, but if you know how to defend then you can use that against them. Think chess, in combat. Trains paladin-skill and defending.
Rangers: Analyze <target> mimic. A very short-lived combo. If you pull it off, and kill the target before it fades, then you'll copy the sound of the creature to try and summon another one of it's kind into the room. Trains scouting and performance.
Thieves: Analyze <target> mug. A series of moves that always ends in backstab. If you kill the target with backstab then you have a chance to pull a "tiny [box]" from their pocket. This has a trivial amount of coins, but acts as a decent training box. Trains backstabbing and thievery.
Traders: Analyze <target> manipulate. A series of brawling moves with a random taunt after each successful hit. If you are successful then you convince the target to try and buy their life. They produce a random pile of coins or (rarely) treasure and throw it to the ground (basically as if you killed and looted them). You can then kill them and loot them again. Once per creature. Trains trading and performance.
Warrior Mages: Analyze <target> summon. Similar to empaths, but you attempt to syphon elemental charge out of the target. Deals vitality damage if successful. Trains summoning and athletics.

I know, keep dreaming, but this would solve a lot of training hedaches, and it gives performance a viable use for some guilds.

I can dig it! Was training my Empath last night (ancient Empath) and my highest Lore is Tactics, so was trying to figure out how to train it. Was very disappointed that "Analyze" was pretty much useless to me - would like some kind of defensive version to use for training.

I am very much looking forward to utilizing that function when my Empath gets old enough. ;)

<<FWIW, Circle, Weave, and Grapple/Shove are all offensive non-shocking maneuvers.>>

Analyze is easily done by any Empath at any time on any critter. Now listen while this really old ranger teaches you a few tricks. First never assume you cant do something till you try it. Ok you ready for this? Well are ya?

Step 1. Get to melee on a critter. Bob, circle, then analyze (it will default to what you are facing). Notice the messages you get and do not do the attacks shown.
Step 2. Analyze (notice the messages you get and do not do the attacks shown.)
Step 3. Analyze (notice the messages you get and do not do the attacks shown.) You will repeat this till you have a massive advantage. (note the messages will show you have a massive advantage. Yup us rangers notice things.)
Step 4. Once you have your massive advantage, face next, bob, circle, then repeat the analyze process till you get a massive advantage on it.
Step 5. Face next, bob, circle, repeat analyze process.
Step 6. Face next, bob, circle, repeat analyze process.

I'm fairly certain you will lock tactics before you get to step 6 specially if you do not have that much tactics.

Now see... yes even an Empath can train tactics, and since you don't lay a glove or a weapon on the critter its safe to use on anything.

Ranger Pfanston and his soggy pup.

Awesome! I was hoping there was still an experience gain from just Analyzing without doing the combo (I have a F2P Barbarian) but was not sure! Thank you so much for the tip! (Am very cognizant of my balance and advantage in combat - but I also have a Ranger. :P)

Currently my Empath's top lore as well (which is while I need it to circle), but it is a pain to train! Take forever! But it seems to be ranking up quickly, so should become less frustrating, I hope. Also adjusting to how the damange/wound/combat system has changed and it's been... awkward. LOL