Post by Amara on Nov 11, 2021 19:26:29 GMT -5
Preface -
So here we are the slippery slope of balance. Androids have been one of the most widely discussed species (next to Bio-Androids, funnily enough) when it comes to how exactly they function in mechanical combat. And yes, as always in a collaborative RP environment, plot matters first - however, if there are going to be actual balanced mechanics involved in said plot, they need to be thoroughly pruned. It is of my current opinion that Androids as a whole are not only one of the weakest species from a purely mechanical standpoint, but their incarnation in Sparking makes them a far cry from their typical canon selves. It is of my opinion that: A. Androids need some sort of buff and/or partial overhaul, and B. Their design should be retooled towards more accurately representing canon Androids while still allowing for creative freedoms in an RP
Moving forward, I am going to shift them towards a mechanical role that favors both energy conservation and long-term sustainability in battles, with that design philosophy being the basis for all theoretical changes.
CORE TRAITS -
>> LOCKED & LOADED: Locked & Loaded is an already established optional trait that, in my opinion, warrants a shift to a core part of an Android's identity. Similar to Keen Senses for Konatsians, L&L takes the role of two free techniques once a thread - in this case being a 20% offensive and defensive tech. Not only is there no existing core trait with the same function, but the KP / 'energy' conservation plays thematically well into an Android's tireless nature.
>> OVERDRIVE: "All momentum effects have their requisite cost reduced by 1. Does not include Sparkings or Max Power." This essentially means that regular boosts are 1 MP, form boosts are 3 MP, and reduction boosts are 5 MP. Unlike something like Demonic Might or Thirst for Battle, this is a permanent trait that gives you a decent advantage over the course of the battle in terms of potential total usage on all the different types of Momentum Boosts. The main weakness is that you are still spending MP unlike the traits which make certain effects entirely free. If necessary for balance, a further limitation of "You can no longer use different MP effects on the same turn" could be added.
My main outlook going in was this is a better representation of constant grinding power that Androids have been shown to have without making it a trait that was, in my opinion, extremely clunky and situational to use.
OPTIONAL TRAITS -
>> TYPE: ABSORBER: "Once per thread, you may use a free 30% defensive technique with the unique 'absorber' variant. If the barrier remains unbroken, you gain 1 KP."
Comparable to both Locked & Loaded as well as Keen Senses, Type: Absorber provides only a single use of a free technique along with a stipulation. If the conditions are met for this 1/thread special technique the Android gains a unique advantage above their opponent in the form of a potential 3 KP regen turn. This massive power is mitigated by the weak power of the barrier and the limited use.
>> TYPE: ENDLESS ENERGY: "Once per thread, you may spend momentum in increments of 2 to regain KP at a cost of 2 MP to 1 KP."
Yes it's Burning Ki. With Overdrive taking on a MP-focused role, EEC has been swapped to the KP department, and something like Burning Ki which is an already existing and balanced trait in place of the very niche and debatably weak original Overdrive is a good thing in my opinion.
>> TYPE: REINFORCED: "Increases the total damage you can sustain as well as your critical damage threshold by 30%."
Bumps the additional damage up by 10%. Signifies how Androids, being mechanical in nature, are tougher than even naturally tough squishies. Something like Noble Blood and Resilience are strong because of Saiyan Pride and... Arcosians being Arcosians, so granting a HP boost slightly more power on a species like Androids is warranted.
The optional traits being retro-fitted with EEC as well as having the test name of "Type: _" work as a reference to how Androids have very distinct makes and models in canon.
I'll be updating the above with good suggestions or revisions and keep tabs of the older bits down here, probably.
So here we are the slippery slope of balance. Androids have been one of the most widely discussed species (next to Bio-Androids, funnily enough) when it comes to how exactly they function in mechanical combat. And yes, as always in a collaborative RP environment, plot matters first - however, if there are going to be actual balanced mechanics involved in said plot, they need to be thoroughly pruned. It is of my current opinion that Androids as a whole are not only one of the weakest species from a purely mechanical standpoint, but their incarnation in Sparking makes them a far cry from their typical canon selves. It is of my opinion that: A. Androids need some sort of buff and/or partial overhaul, and B. Their design should be retooled towards more accurately representing canon Androids while still allowing for creative freedoms in an RP
Moving forward, I am going to shift them towards a mechanical role that favors both energy conservation and long-term sustainability in battles, with that design philosophy being the basis for all theoretical changes.
CORE TRAITS -
>> LOCKED & LOADED: Locked & Loaded is an already established optional trait that, in my opinion, warrants a shift to a core part of an Android's identity. Similar to Keen Senses for Konatsians, L&L takes the role of two free techniques once a thread - in this case being a 20% offensive and defensive tech. Not only is there no existing core trait with the same function, but the KP / 'energy' conservation plays thematically well into an Android's tireless nature.
>> OVERDRIVE: "All momentum effects have their requisite cost reduced by 1. Does not include Sparkings or Max Power." This essentially means that regular boosts are 1 MP, form boosts are 3 MP, and reduction boosts are 5 MP. Unlike something like Demonic Might or Thirst for Battle, this is a permanent trait that gives you a decent advantage over the course of the battle in terms of potential total usage on all the different types of Momentum Boosts. The main weakness is that you are still spending MP unlike the traits which make certain effects entirely free. If necessary for balance, a further limitation of "You can no longer use different MP effects on the same turn" could be added.
My main outlook going in was this is a better representation of constant grinding power that Androids have been shown to have without making it a trait that was, in my opinion, extremely clunky and situational to use.
OPTIONAL TRAITS -
>> TYPE: ABSORBER: "Once per thread, you may use a free 30% defensive technique with the unique 'absorber' variant. If the barrier remains unbroken, you gain 1 KP."
Comparable to both Locked & Loaded as well as Keen Senses, Type: Absorber provides only a single use of a free technique along with a stipulation. If the conditions are met for this 1/thread special technique the Android gains a unique advantage above their opponent in the form of a potential 3 KP regen turn. This massive power is mitigated by the weak power of the barrier and the limited use.
>> TYPE: ENDLESS ENERGY: "Once per thread, you may spend momentum in increments of 2 to regain KP at a cost of 2 MP to 1 KP."
Yes it's Burning Ki. With Overdrive taking on a MP-focused role, EEC has been swapped to the KP department, and something like Burning Ki which is an already existing and balanced trait in place of the very niche and debatably weak original Overdrive is a good thing in my opinion.
>> TYPE: REINFORCED: "Increases the total damage you can sustain as well as your critical damage threshold by 30%."
Bumps the additional damage up by 10%. Signifies how Androids, being mechanical in nature, are tougher than even naturally tough squishies. Something like Noble Blood and Resilience are strong because of Saiyan Pride and... Arcosians being Arcosians, so granting a HP boost slightly more power on a species like Androids is warranted.
The optional traits being retro-fitted with EEC as well as having the test name of "Type: _" work as a reference to how Androids have very distinct makes and models in canon.
I'll be updating the above with good suggestions or revisions and keep tabs of the older bits down here, probably.