04-08-2003, 05:55 AM
It definitely needs some refining, but it could work. First off, you mentioned you wrote it yesterday. Have you actually played any characters like these? Play-testing is essential to make sure the variant is challenging and still fun.
As for the format of the information, it really needs to be organized. I recommend downloading the variant archive at realms beyond diablo or visiting lemmingofglory's site to see how they put the information together (all links available through the D2 section of the LL).
It might be helpful to list some reasoning behind restrictions, for instance:
>Elemental resistances caps at 25% (35% after you read Malah's scroll) for each difficulty.
Physical resistance is limited to only one source (item) at a time.
Borg drones, obviously, can (and should) max those. Resistance is NOT futile.
Why 25%? Is this also only from items then? Resistance scrolls from various difficulties would put the base to 30% already. Also, when using natural resistances, it can't account for difficulty. When in nightmare, one could put more points into resistances and still be under the minimum. If the character goes back into normal though, this maximum value would be greatly exceeded.
>Triumphant and vulpine items, as well as mana leech, cannot be used, except by the Borg, who
are self-sufficient and, theoritically, have an unlimited power source. Life leech and Open Wounds
can only be used by a Klingon wielding his sword... <For Drone:> Helmets MUST be socketed
Again, why aren't these allowed? Also, why only the lightest of armors?
The skills need to be looked at just a little bit as well. For instance, the borg has virtually no spell restrictions. The ones that are allowed are more than sufficient to create a build not so different than any normal build. Considering the borg can use any armor, the borg is hardly variant at all. Although it is possible to describe a skill in terms of the series, skills should be limited. The borg in this case is out fighting on his own, and his skills should be limited to technology that one borg could travel with.
All in all, you have a good idea, you just need to develop it. Organization wise, I suggest you put global restrictions (to all races) in a short section at the top, and then tackle each race seperately. Per each race you could describe skill/item/stat restrictions and why they are that way for the given race, i.e. a "man" may only be able to wear light armor and have small strength because in the series he is shown in black spandex and certainly could not carry on in 50 pounds of armor.
Keep at it.
As for the format of the information, it really needs to be organized. I recommend downloading the variant archive at realms beyond diablo or visiting lemmingofglory's site to see how they put the information together (all links available through the D2 section of the LL).
It might be helpful to list some reasoning behind restrictions, for instance:
>Elemental resistances caps at 25% (35% after you read Malah's scroll) for each difficulty.
Physical resistance is limited to only one source (item) at a time.
Borg drones, obviously, can (and should) max those. Resistance is NOT futile.
Why 25%? Is this also only from items then? Resistance scrolls from various difficulties would put the base to 30% already. Also, when using natural resistances, it can't account for difficulty. When in nightmare, one could put more points into resistances and still be under the minimum. If the character goes back into normal though, this maximum value would be greatly exceeded.
>Triumphant and vulpine items, as well as mana leech, cannot be used, except by the Borg, who
are self-sufficient and, theoritically, have an unlimited power source. Life leech and Open Wounds
can only be used by a Klingon wielding his sword... <For Drone:> Helmets MUST be socketed
Again, why aren't these allowed? Also, why only the lightest of armors?
The skills need to be looked at just a little bit as well. For instance, the borg has virtually no spell restrictions. The ones that are allowed are more than sufficient to create a build not so different than any normal build. Considering the borg can use any armor, the borg is hardly variant at all. Although it is possible to describe a skill in terms of the series, skills should be limited. The borg in this case is out fighting on his own, and his skills should be limited to technology that one borg could travel with.
All in all, you have a good idea, you just need to develop it. Organization wise, I suggest you put global restrictions (to all races) in a short section at the top, and then tackle each race seperately. Per each race you could describe skill/item/stat restrictions and why they are that way for the given race, i.e. a "man" may only be able to wear light armor and have small strength because in the series he is shown in black spandex and certainly could not carry on in 50 pounds of armor.
Keep at it.