Curse

actionjack · Nov 23, 2006, 08:41 PM // 20:41

Mimic Concept Class

A Mimic is a shape shifting class, with the unique role of being very versatile on battle field, being able to change into different role when needed. This give them certain edge and flexibility no other class can match, as they could easily switch between a tanker to a healer to a interrupter. Also it give player one of the ability they so desire, to play as a mob! (or at least in look). Its other attributes also make it a powerful anti-mage character, with well rounded protection from magic or weapons. However, it is always a harder profession to play, as it often require well timing, team coordination, well verse in different skills and professions, and even a bit of luck, to fully utilize such class to its full potential.

Attributes:

-Form Shift (Primary):
For each rank (1 points) in the Primary, will increase the duration of any Stances and Form and Font skills by 2%
-Mirror Magic
-Mimicry
-Absorption

Weapons:

It does not have a direct weapon attribute, so it will be using wands and staff and offhand similar to other mage classes, that are link to its 4 attributes. However, will have its own melee type of magic weapon (such as a glove or orb) to better work with some of the more melee base builds. Also the weapon will change depend on the Form taken, as well as have several weapon-changing skills.

Armor:

Its armor level will be around 65 AL range. Its look will be similar to that of a Mesmer and a Jester. However, on change to some Forms (that of a Warrior or Paragon), its AL would increase for that duration.

Energy and Offhand:
I think it would be interest to give such class very low energy (around that of 20-25 energy with normal armor, like that of Warrior) It would be balance out more when apply with the Form shift. However, this is still a caster type class, thus would make their primary energy source be from the off hand items. Thus they could have offhand item (But with req link to their attributes) that give +1 energy arrow or +20 energy. This also help counter balance some of the effect of Form-shift (as they will not be able to use their equip item at the time), as well as add some extra support to take this as 2ndary.

Another offhand item to be added is a Mirror Shield (link to Mirror Attribute). Its like a shield, but give less armor. Instead, it also give magical defense or energy. A example stat could be

Tower Mirror Shield
10 armor +5 energy +10AL against magic.

Font (New skill type)
Font are skills that stance, and that you can only have one at the time. Couldn’t think of a better name, but made this up because else there would be too many Stance skills.

AJ’s Comment:
A shape-shifter class has always been a popular CC around. While not too particularly found of it, I always want to do one as a challenge (as well as always want a Gogo like Mimic). The concept was around my head for while, but never develop fully as it feel to much like a copy of Mesmer (which, in many ways, still do). Its after few other brain storms, as well as taking inspiration from many other sources (credit below), that it start to feel more like a well rounded profession. Also was trying to make it short… but fail on that too.

And a Minor note, there is a similar mob in Nightfall, the Monolithe, which are able to change to different professions.

Few things to keep in mind:

-The skill and attribute’s name are very poor name. They are chosen more for practical reason (for easier read and understanding).
-The skills and its number are given only for example purpose, and not to be consider truly balance. Also few of the skills and attribute are still being consider move or change.
-The Form-shift and its related attribute are poorly written. I think it’s a relative easy concept, if once played, but just hard to explain (with my English level) on paper. So sorry for some of the confusion.

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Form-Shift
Mimic are able to take shape of the opponent they are facing. But when they take such shape ( several different skills for it), they do not gain the same stats as that of the opponent (as it would be unbalance to take shape of a lv24 mob), instead they only take on its shape, and what Professional (depend on its primary) it is.

So if you take on the shape of an Undead Mage, you would turn into that look, and consider form-shift to a Necromancer. This will have minor status effect (mostly associated with that prof’s primary attribute), as well as effect that of its Mold Skills (see more below)

Will just pick 3 classes for example of the change of status effect.
When you Form-shift to a Warrior, you gain +10 extra AL, and have X attribute in Strength
When you Form-shift to a Necro, you have X attribute in Soul Reaping.
When you Form-shift to a Elementalist, you have X attribute in Energy Storage.
(the X will be depend on the number of ranks in Mimicry Attribute)

For the duration of change, the weapon and the attack type will change to its what is associated with that form/profession, and you lost the use of your regular weapon for the time being. (like you are holding something)

Capture Form/ Shift Form:
5e | 4c | 30r
Capture a Form from enemy (much like charm animal). Once capture a form, this skill change to Shift Form, where on use, will allow you to change your appearance and profession to the corresponding form for the next 24…40 seconds (not work on certain bosses, some larger enemy will be scaled down, will not take the level or the skills or the property of that foe. Can only “save” one form at a time)

Duplicating Form:
10e | 3c | 30r
Copy the Form of a target ally or foe. Take on that look and profession for the next 20…35 seconds.

Randomize Reforming:
5e | 3c | 10r
Change randomly to a form and its corresponding profession for the next 10…25 seconds.

Mold Skills
One the associated with Form-shift is the use of Mold Skills. Mold Skill will have two sides. They can be use regularly (when not form-shift to another shape), and with different type of effects (depend on skills), but don’t have very powerful effect.

Its come in play in more apparent ways when you Form-shift. Those Mold skills will change to another skill (as well as its cost, recharge, and casting time) that is associated with the form of the profession you currently have.

So in an example, When you change to a Warrior-form, the (Balthzar’s Fury) will now change to Power Attack, and (Dwaryn’s Compassion) be change to Healing Sig.. and so on.
But when you change to a Elementalist-form, the (BF) will instead change to Fireball, and (DC) be change to Aura of Restoration.

This apply to all Mold Skills and all Profession’s Form-shape. (there will be at least 4 to 6 of such Mold skills)

The attribute for those skills will be 2 below that of your current Form attribute. (so if you have 12 attribute in Form, your Power attack, when in Warrior’s form, will do the same as 10 points in Strength, as with Fireball, as if it were 10 points in Fire magic, and so on)

Balthazar’s Fury
Mold Skill
Skill type: Offensive
10e | 1c | 20r
Mimic: Dealt X melee physical damage to foe.
Warrior Form: Power Attack
Elmenatlist Form: Fireball
Monk Form: Banish
Etc …

Dwayna’s Compassion
Mold Skill
Skill type: Healing
10e | 1c | 20r
Mimic: Heal target ally for X health.
…

Temperamental Lyssa
Mold Skill
Skill type: Hex/Energy
10e | 1c | 20r
Mimic: Drain target foe by X energy.
…
and more...

Aspect Skills
When you take a form, you only take its profession, and not its skill or property. So if you take on a form of a Skeleton Warrior, you are consider as a Warrior, and not as Undead. Property skill allow you to take on the special property of different creatures for defensive or offensive purpose. Its counted as a Stance, and does not need to take on any specific form to use. (use a bit much like the Dervish’s Avatars, but shorter duration with counter effects)

Aspect of Undead:
10e | 2c | 60r Stance
Become like of an Undead for the next 30…45 seconds. In duration, you can not be poison, disease, or bleed, and be reselected in full health whenever got rez. But suffer –3…1 hp degen and take double damage from Holy.

Aspect of Elemental:

Aspect of Divine Spirit:

Aspect of Beast:

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Mirror Magic
Mirror Magic have many skills and spells that reflect enemies spell or skill back at them for both defensive and offensive purpose. However, they usually require well timing. Also have several Mirror-clone type of skill with various effect.

Spell Reflector
10e | 2c | 15r (item spell)
Create a Mirror Hold item for 10 seconds. It will reflect (cast back) any offensive spells target toward you, and this Mirror will be shatter.

Return Attack
5e | 1/2c | 6r (stance)
For the next 3 seconds, block and return an attack or attack skill back to the foe at half of the attribute.

Conditional Reflect
5e | 1/2c | 8r (Font)
For the next 10 seconds, the next condition that effect you will also effect the foe that apply it on you.

Mirror Shield
10e | 1c | 20r (item spell)
Create a Mirror Hold item for 3…8 seconds. In this duration, you block all attacks and attack skills. After the duration, the Mirror is shatter, damaging all nearby foe.

Mirror Clone
15e | 2c | 20r (stance)
Create 3 Mirror Clones, each with hp of 100…120, that last for 15 seconds. They will copy your regular attack against the target foe (half of your attack power), but will not copy your skill or spells.

Deceptional Mirror Trick
10e | 2c | 20r (stance)
Create 1…5 Mirror Trick Clones randomly around you for 10 seconds, that will have the same look, doing the same action, as you. However, their action will only dealt zero damage, and is Shatter on one hit (hp of 1).

Crystal Mirror Double
15e | 3c | 25r (stance)
Create a Crystal Mirror Double that last for 20 seconds, and has 15…30 energy. It will double cast all your spells you cast, at half of your attribute level for that spell. It has hp of 100. If its hp reach zero, duration ends, or use all its energy, it will Shatter.

Broken Glass
10e | 1c | 15r (enchantment)
For the next 20 seconds, whenever a Mirror or Mirror clone is shatter, it dealt X damages to all nearby foe.

Shatter Mirror
5e | 1c | 8r (skill)
Shatter all Mirrors-types (friends or foe) around you.

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Mimicry:
Skills that allow you to take advantage of your opponents of allies skill. Require well timing and coordination, but could yield rewarding results if done right.

Copy Catsting
10e | 1c | 45r (Font)
In the next 3 seconds, if target ally is casting a spell, you cast the same spell on to the same target foe. The mimic spell effect are 5…2 attribute level below the original caster.

Echo Shout
10e | 1c | 20r (Font)
In the next 5 seconds, you recast the next shout (from ally or foe) within the earshot. The mimic shout will be 5…2 attribute level below the original caster.

Mimic Speed:
10e | 1c | 40r (stance)
You copy the moving speed of the target ally or foe, and will move at that speed for the next 8…16 seconds.

Mimic Life:
10e | 2c | 20r (stance)
For the next 10 seconds, you will have the same life regen or degen as that of the target foe or ally.

Mimic Skill:
5e | 1c | 20r (Font)
In the next 3 seconds, this skill will turn into the next skill or spell that the target ally or foe use. This mimic skill’s effect are 5…2 attribute level below the original user, with the same casting time and cost, and will be back to Mimic Skill after one use (else have be stay that skill for 10 seconds)

Copy Hammer:
10e | 1c | 15r (weapon enchantment)
For the next 15…30 seconds, your equip weapon become that of a Hammer. The hammer has X attack power, with the same attack speed as that of a normal hammer. In duration, this skill will change into Hammer Bash.

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Absorption:
Skills both for healing, energy management, as well as protect yourself against spells.

Ether Absorb:
5e | 1c | 30r (Enchantment)
In next 5 seconds, you Absorb all offensive spells target foe cast on you, gaining the amount of that spells energy cost. (but you would still be damage)

Kinetic Absorption:
5e | 1c | 15r (Stance)
In next 5 seconds, you absorb all physical damage done against you, making it doing zero damage against you. At end of this stance, if you are not moving, you will suffer 100… 60 damages.

Healful Ether:
5e | 1c | 20r (Font)
In next 5 seconds, you gain the amount of energy cost of the next Heal/enchantment spell cast on you, and this stance end.

Fire Eater:
10e | 2c | 20r (Enchantment)
In next 8 seconds, you ignore all fire damages, instead, heal your self for 10…50% of that amount.

Reverse Absorption:
10e | 1c | 10r (Font)
In next 5 seconds, amount of your hp regen or degen are reversed.

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Builds:

A Form-shift heavy build with carrying many mode skills and two Form-change skills would allow it to better change its role depend on the battle.
A Spell-tanker can be made with taken several Mirror and Absorption skills, allowing it to stay alive and return damages even under heavy spikes.
Can make a clone-mirror build, using clones for defense and attack, and shatter them for more damages.
A Mimic/Warrior is always good for a stance heavy defender.
One of my favorite concept build would be a Mimic Caster. With have several mimic, and one mimic/elm. Have the elm cast a powerful spell, like Meteor Shower, with other Mimic mimic that spell while its cast. Added some Crystal Mirror Clones, and you would get showers of Meteors! Of course, it really require good communication of the team to pull it off.

Credit:

Several ideas were taken and adapt from many sources.
The aspect-skill and some of the form-shift idea are taken from AxemRangerBlue’s shapeshifter class. While I don’t agree fully with what he had, there are still parts that is good to use.
The clones are primary first inspire by Cryingwolf.
Someone made a stance heavy CC before (which I forgot who), which become the inspiration for the primary of this CC.
Saw few Reflect and Absorption attribute and skill in other CC before. While the Mirror was always in my mind, the Absorption are latter added with that in mind.
Sorry can’t remember all the names and where it come from, but credit all around.

Closing:

Well, that was lot longer than I expected. Thanks for the reading, if you did attempt to give it a read, if not, well, thanks for the quick scan. Since its posted on the forum, comments and feedback are welcome. Feel free to point to the possible folly (and possible ways to fix) of this concept. Enjoy the read as I enjoy concepting.