So many MUDs I've played have what's called auto combat, and it's boring. The big MMOs survive off the idea that you have a basic auto attack, but you have to balance all of your abilities and skills during combat in real time. I've always enjoyed combat abilities and I thought it would be good to draw some attention to them.

There's several basic archetypes of abilities the classes have in common: the buffs like pray and frenzy, the openers like bash and ambush, the situationals like picklock and track, but there's a special kind... the one you mash as fast as you can to sneak in before that 1 second remaining warning pops up; the combat abilities.

These are things you throw out between attacks and exist on their own timers and somehow affect the fight, either by causing damage or reducing the damage output of the target.

Which of these do you find the most fun to use, the most useful, and basically the most supportive of keeping combat fun and engaging.

If you wanted to see a new combat ability, what would it be and how would you want it to work?

Taunt - Berserkers: You taunt and bestir your opponent into attacking with added ferocity, but makes them easier to hit. This would increase their attack power and reduce their defense. This would benefit a Berserker who had a healer to help the healer hit the target or to help lower levels hit stronger targets, and promotes group play. 30 seconds.

Shout - Fighter, Berserker: All mobs that are aggressive towards you will direct their next attack against you. 10 seconds. Make tanks work a little more like tanks.

Trip - Thief, Monk: A successful trip will cause the target to miss its next physical attack. 15 second. A small added benefit to two classes that could use some more attention.

Flash - Mage: The Mage draws the magic from the air around him, stealing the winds of magic from those nearby, culminating in a dazzling flash of energy. All mobs that are aggressive towards you will have a 50% chance to fail their next cast and a 50% chance to have it work at a reduced effect, you regain a small amount of mp based on level/8. 20 seconds.


It's 6:45 and I'm bored and half asleep. Just though I'd make some silly posts.

My favorite combat ability is bs.