Another idea I'm throwing out there.

'Stalwart Stance' Barbarian level 35 - Gen 5 Passive

After generations of being bullied, the sturdy barbarian learns how to stand his ground. The Barbarian will not be knocked down by a fourth of all attack skills directed toward him or her, but still take damage from the skill.

The break down is simple. (The barb will ignore the knockdown part of a knockdown attack but still take damage. I think ego whip should be an exception though, being that it's a spell and not a skill.)

I like the idea, but instead of ¹⁄₄ of the attacks, I think it would work better if the barb just got a chance to save based on strength and the strength of the opponent. Other things can affect it, like weight or berserk. I also agree that ego whip should not be affected. Same with motor spasm and gravity well.

Yeah, sure. The fourth was just an arbitrary number to show that it won't always happen (not too often, but often enough to be effective). If I said half or more, then I would suggest that I think the skill should work quite often or all the time.

Any other thoughts?

Remove the gen component of the skill. It's not overpowered and Barbarians have a crap skill base.

Yes, but I still think it should be a prime barb skill. So maybe a gen 1 spell.

definately a prime barb skill (gen 1 or higher), otherwise imagine what gen 10 bard/barb could do… mirror image against power spells, tumbling against normal attacks, and "sturdy" against knockdowns…

A gen 10 bard/barb would still suck. It's not immunity to knockdowns; it's increased resistance.

Barbarians have the worst skillset in the game; this would be a good addition.

I'm getting to the point where I think we should do away with remort spells / skills for prime classes. Let the prime classes get the benefit of the spell as it currently stands and let the secondaries gain the abilities at reduced levels of effectiveness.

Barbarians are a prime example; discipline of steel would be good to allow secondary barbs to learn at a reduced level of effectiveness.

It would add more flavour to the mud and frankly it would be fun.

In any case, it's my opinion that the lesser played classes need encouragment to be played, so once again this ability is not overpowered to give to a mortal barbarian.

A gen 10 bard would not suck, even if it were part barbarian. (Unless he or she chose part knight or cleric.)

I agree that the skill would be a nice addition, but I do not agree that the barbarian's set of skills is sucky. Perhaps lacking, but not the worst in the game. There are flaws just like any other class and there are strengths. If having Stalwart Stance as either a remort skill or non-remort skill would raise the amount of barb selections, then maybe that's a good idea. And, no, it isn't overpowered and might be best to keep it as a mort skill. However, it could be a bit more powerful and then changed to a remort skill. Consider it. (What if it blocked damage as well?)

About removing remort spells/skills. The imms wouldn't do that. It would be interesting to give my knight a half-assed mana shield. But, I think it'd be better to continue allowing prime classes their spells/skills that set them apart from other wannabes.

I have to agree with Deneb. I see this barb skill being fine for a mortal skill. However, maybe adding a greater same type of skill for a higher gen barb. Then in both senses the barb class would improve. Would make more people consider barb for secondary, and it would also make prime barb more effective. As for removing remort skills/spells I think that would have a HUGe effect on tempus. Personally I do not think it would be a good effect on the player base. Player base is something more important then anything IMO.

Playerbase? No ones on when I log in these days.

The fact of the matter is there are certain class combinations that are much, much more powerful than others and a lot of that comes down to remort spells.

How can giving the playerbase more options do anything but improve the number of players?

Having an improved version of it for remort barbarians is a fine idea.

Yeah…barbs suck. No getting around that. Quite boring and no good skills beyond sleeper, cleave and discipline of steel.

I'm aware of that situation as well and I'm doing something about it. I like how some of you guys are always thinking in an objective fashion about how to make classes better while still being balanced. That's awesome!

However, you guys can stop thinking about barbs. They're under control! :D

N

I revive you!