06-05-2008, 02:00 AM
I want to have a discussion on Spell Blocking. As most people know, Diablo characters have a chance to block certain spells from monsters as long as they have 0% resistance to the spell. Once a character adds at least 1 point of resistance, they lose this ability. (Hellfire lifted this restriction, so you are still able to block spells regardless of resistance level - much to the annoyance of Hellfire players).
How SHOULD spell blocking work? In my opinion, it should work regardless of resistance level, but not be an irritant that ruins builds or causes players to avoid blocking. Part of the problem I think stems from the formula used. Take a look (courtesy Jarulf's guide):
I note a few problems here.
* The range of blocking is 0 to 100 which makes it possible to attain 100% blocking and get stuck indefinitely in a block loop - a better solution might be a 5-95 range.
* The formula seems to make it very easy to block given sufficient dex (and especially if the bonus 30/20/10 class-block is working), so you're pretty likely to keep getting interrupted - perhaps it should be adjusted...?
* It is possible to block while in mid-(melee) attack - perhaps it should only work when you're standing still. After all, you can't block while casting.
Please air your grievances about this and how you would fix it! Zenda suggested to me that it would make more sense to cause players (or monsters) with >0% resistance to still get stunned... I'm not quite sure I follow what he is saying, but I am not a Diablo expert by any means. : )
How SHOULD spell blocking work? In my opinion, it should work regardless of resistance level, but not be an irritant that ruins builds or causes players to avoid blocking. Part of the problem I think stems from the formula used. Take a look (courtesy Jarulf's guide):
Code:
6. if the attacker is a monster calculate block Dex + 2·clvl + bonus[target]
7. if the attacker is a monster subtract 2·mlvl
8. if the attacker is a trap, calculate Dex[target] + bonus[target]
9. if the value calculated is below 0, set it to 0
10. if the value calculated is above 100, set it to 100
11. the value now achieved is the final chance to block (FB)
12. a block of the attack is done if Rnd[100] < FBI note a few problems here.
* The range of blocking is 0 to 100 which makes it possible to attain 100% blocking and get stuck indefinitely in a block loop - a better solution might be a 5-95 range.
* The formula seems to make it very easy to block given sufficient dex (and especially if the bonus 30/20/10 class-block is working), so you're pretty likely to keep getting interrupted - perhaps it should be adjusted...?
* It is possible to block while in mid-(melee) attack - perhaps it should only work when you're standing still. After all, you can't block while casting.
Please air your grievances about this and how you would fix it! Zenda suggested to me that it would make more sense to cause players (or monsters) with >0% resistance to still get stunned... I'm not quite sure I follow what he is saying, but I am not a Diablo expert by any means. : )