It has become apparent over the last year or so since Realm Abilities debuted in Dark Age of Camelot that the system is not as balanced and worthwhile as it could be. Many classes feel they must purchase certain Realm Abilities just to be viable in RvR, while other classes have many RAs to choose from, all of which add utility to their characters. This has caused a situation where some classes all purchase the same RAs while others have a legitimate choice. Added to that, some RAs are simply more powerful than others, while others are not used at all. This is not the dynamic we hoped to create when designing the Realm Ability system.
Because of these reasons, New Frontiers will feature a Realm Ability system overhaul. We are going back to basics and completely redesigning the system from the ground up to be more equitable and make more sense. This is not a small change - in fact, in many ways it is the largest change we will be making in New Frontiers, as it is the one that personally affects everyone who engages in RvR. We are highly aware that making a system such as this balanced and fair does not necessarily mean that everyone will be happy with it in the short term. However, the goal of this change is to make players happier than they are now in the long term, because the system is better designed, better implemented, and more fun for everyone by changing their character's abilities.
Since this system will have to be extensively tested and commented on by the community, we will be making available as much information about the change as possible before the New Frontiers beta test program begins. As always, please give us your thoughts on this or any other New Frontiers issue via the Camelot Herald feedback page - the category to select is "RVR Expansion."
Remember, all of this information is subject to change throughout this design and development process.
Basic RA System Changes
Here is a list of basic information about our design direction with the revamp of the RA system. We will be publishing specific information about these changes over the next few weeks and months, including a complete list of all abilities, point costs, and allowable classes.
Standardization of RP Costs. Each RA will fall into one of two categories: RAs with five levels and RAs with three levels. We'll publish the list of abilities and costs in the near future.
Each RA is being analyzed for usefulness. Some that are deemed not useful will be cut entirely.
"Free" Class Special RAs. Instead of the very powerful ten and fourteen point class specific RAs of the old system, the new system will grant each class a free RA at Realm Rank 5. Most of these will be on a ten or fifteen minute timer based on power.
"Free" Abilities based on player level or spec level. Additionally, some classes will receive what were former RAs that are deemed to be essential to their nature automatically as they reach certain levels and spec levels. We will publish a full list of these along with the other specific Realm Ability changes in a few weeks.
Rebalance of Power and Timers. No RA will have a timer longer then 20 minutes, and in most cases, timers will be in the 5-15 minute range. With the reduction in reuse time will come a commensurate reduction in power. Additionally, RAs that were far too potent will be toned down while RAs that are unused will be eliminated or made more effective.
Scaling Return. The new system will have a much better scaling of return for the purchase of higher tier RAs. There will still be a very pronounced scale, where purchasing level one of an RA will provide a better return on investment than purchasing level two but the scaling is designed to encourage players to spec higher in specific RAs, allowing for more diversity in RA templates.
Homogenization of Class RAs. The RAs previously known as "Class Special RAs" will now be available to classes in other Realms that share the same archetype. For example, Druids, Healers, and Clerics (all sharing the healer archetype) will each be able to purchase redesigned Bunker of Faith.
Because this is an entirely new Realm Ability system, all characters will start Frontiers with all their RA points refunded and unspent.
RA frontier
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Originally Posted by Wolfo
