Mortal Conviction - Another Look

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ScrotieMcB wrote:

In terms of pure solo, I think the best we can do is preventing the BM support gem from being too functionally similar to BM keystone; give the two some kind of difference despite the obviously similar intent.

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Autocthon wrote:

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ScrotieMcB wrote:

In terms of pure solo, I think the best we can do is preventing the BM support gem from being too functionally similar to BM keystone; give the two some kind of difference despite the obviously similar intent.

IMHO I think BM gem should only affect non-auras.

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ScrotieMcB wrote:

The problem is balancing the lack of auras with other benefits. Lacking auras has a significant effect on solo play but means diddly squat in organized group play; thus, by its nature, BM-keystone builds will always be weak(er) solo and strong(er) in group. This is something BM-keystone critics need to understand.

In terms of pure solo, I think the best we can do is preventing the BM support gem from being too functionally similar to BM keystone; give the two some kind of difference despite the obviously similar intent.

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Islidox wrote:

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ScrotieMcB wrote:

Allowing BM to convert mana to life would be too OP, in combination with Eldritch Battery. Rare Vaal Regalias would become super-Kaom's.

I'm not sure if you're referring to my suggestion, which was to convert the base mana your character comes with and gets as it levels to life, and only that. Mana mods/passives wouldn't affect it in any way. But yes, straight conversion of mana to life is a bad idea and horribly unbalanced.

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SL4Y3R wrote:

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Ludak021 wrote:

I think they will be reluctant to make a big change about MC even if it makes no sense for them not to do it. Here is why:
Big chunk of the game is balanced around shavrones, soul taker and lvl 95+. Very small chunk of players can afford this. Very big chunk of players is screwed over this.
I just cannot fathom that they didn't know what are they doing when they were making shavs. It is obvious, use life for auras and RF + PA, use mana for more auras. If they were fine with it, why all this aura changes? Shavs can still run 5+ auras easy, not much changed for them, it's just the "poor" folk that got hit...again. (Personally, I don't care about auras too much, lie someone said before, one is needed per map/boss, rest is just a bonus, but still, I liked when my shadow was running discipline, wrath, hatred and grace, but that is a wet dream now for CI that is not lvl 90+ and doesn't have shavs)

A big chunk of the game? Like what?

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IMHO I think BM gem should only affect non-auras.

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Islidox wrote:

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ScrotieMcB wrote:

The problem is balancing the lack of auras with other benefits. Lacking auras has a significant effect on solo play but means diddly squat in organized group play; thus, by its nature, BM-keystone builds will always be weak(er) solo and strong(er) in group. This is something BM-keystone critics need to understand.

In terms of pure solo, I think the best we can do is preventing the BM support gem from being too functionally similar to BM keystone; give the two some kind of difference despite the obviously similar intent.

The reason why people are making a fuss out of this is that we want to make BM more viable for solo-play.

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ScrotieMcB wrote:

The thing here is that you need to understand the drawback; it's essentially "you have trouble casting auras yourself but benefit just as easily from those of party members." Making that more solo viable is a noble endeavour but it will ALWAYS be stronger in group. It's like saying "let's make the Conduit keystone more viable for solo play"... perhaps it's possible (what if Minions could share your charges?) but it will always, always be stronger in group play and thus OP if balanced for solo, thus will always, always be underpowered solo.

I think what we really need is an alternative to Mortal Conviction to allow for true Aura-free play.

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Islidox wrote:

If that was the intended drawback, then why make the MC notable at all? Clearly it was intended for some sort of aura usage. I think your assumption is erroneous in this case. Using Conduit as an example doesn't work because the flavor text clearly states how this keystone will interact with your character and others. Conduit explicitly states that it benefits teamplay. Sure, BM may not explicitly state that it's only good for teamplay due to the inability to use auras, but then what's the point of having MC behind BM?

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Islidox wrote:

This comes back to the issue that most people agree that you either make BM/MC better to the point where it can support an aura (or two), OR you cut the connection with auras and drastically increase the defensive options BM-users can get, mainly an increase in life or life regen/leech.