Curse

actionjack · May 31, 2006, 04:22 AM // 04:22

Splashing Pearl - Summer Game

In the spirit of Snowball Arena, here is the summer version of a fun, light-hearted Arena.

Back story:
With the turn of the seasons, as Spring give away to Summer, local fishermen of Tyria celebrate this event and praise their goddess, Melander, with a game call Splashing Pearl.

The Game:
The game play out similar to a Dodge ball/Water Balloon game. It’s a 4v4 game. Its play on a court like Volleyball or Tennis court, with two sides separated by a waist height fence of nets. Player on each team can not move out of their side of court, nor on to others. All players, irregardless of class or runes, are given 100HP and 20Energy, with 2 arrow of energy regen. (armors won’t be playing any part in this game). As implied, once your HP goes down to 0, you are “dead”, or knock out, and can only be rez back by skills. (no shrine in this game, thus no auto rez) There are 2 ways to win the game, one by knocking out all the players on opposing team. Another is to “kill” opposing team’s “Statue”. The Statue is a stationary object that have 300HP (could be in any shape, but I am thinking a giant claim shell.) Damage is done by throwing “Water Pearls” (will refer here as water ball for easier understanding).

Water Pearls (aka, water ball)
Water Pearl, about the size of beach ball, that look like a bubble fill with water. You “hurt” your opponent by throwing the water pearl/ball at them. You get them either by using skills, catch the one thrown at you, passing, or get them from your Statue, which will generate a free one every 30 seconds. If you have a water ball in your hand, will act like an item (which you can drop or pick up), and your movement is decrease by 50%. You can only hold one at same time.

Throwing Water Pearl
One throws a water pearl/ball by using any of the throw skills. You must target a target. Also you must have a water pearl on hand. A thrown water ball, unless specify, will move at speed of arrow, which could be dodged if time right. Also there are two type. Most throw, unless state otherwise, will be straight line throw. A player could body block such shot. So if one is standing in front of the Statue (or another player) and the opponent target at Statue, depend on the position, but for most part will hit the player instead of statue (or if that player use Catch, he will caught the ball). This allow you to protect your teammates when they are vulnerable. Another kind of shot is Arch shot, which will fly high. This type can not be body blocked.

Also there is a distance consideration. Normal thrown Water Pearl can not travel too long. Think of dividing the each court into quarters, with ¼ at the back, and 4/4 at the center. Standing at the 1/4 zone, a normal throw will only reach to ¾ zone of opponent’s court. Thus to throw at the statue, which is located at the end line, one will have to stand at ¾ or 4/4 zone of their court. Of course, standing more up in front will make you a easier target and harder to dodge and react to shots thrown at you.

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Skill Example:

Basic skill:

Pearl Shaping
10e | 3c | 10r
Form a Water Ball/Pearl in you hand that would do 20 damage if hit.

Catch
5e | 1/2c | 5r
For the next 3 seconds, catch any Ball thrown toward you. Can only be use if not holding any other item.

Throw
5e | 1c | 5r
Throw the holding water ball at your target.

Advance Skills:

Large Pearl Shaping
10e | 5c | 15r
Form a Water Ball/Pearl in you hand that would do 30 damage if hit.

Quick Pearl Shaping
10e | 1c | 15r
Form a Water Ball/Pearl in you hand that would do 10 damage if hit.

Sticky Pearl Shaping
10e | 3c | 15r
Form a Sticky Water Ball/Pearl in you hand that would do no damage if hit, but reduce target’s moving speed by 33%, and add their casting time by 1 Second, for the next 6 seconds.

Splash Pearl Shaping
10e | 4c | 15r
Form a Splash Water Ball/Pearl in you hand that will do 15 damage to all nearby enemy if hit.

Icy Pearl Shaping
10e | 3c | 10r
Form a Icy Water Ball/Pearl in you hand that will do 20 damage and interrupt their action if hit.

Yellow Pearl Shaping
10e | 4c | 15r
Form a Yellow Water Ball/Pearl in you hand that will do no damage if hit, but will cause –5 HP Degen for 10 seconds.

Ink Pearl Shaping
10e | 4c | 15r
Form a Ink Water Ball/Pearl in you hand that will do no damage if hit, but will cause Blind for 10 seconds, where throw and catch will have 50% to miss.

Super Pearl Shaping
20e | 6c | 20r
Form a Super Water Ball/Pearl in you hand that do 60 damage if hit. Can not use with Arc Throw.

Dash Catch
10e | 1/2c | 8r
For the next 3 seconds, catch any Ball thrown toward you. Have wider catch range than normal catch. Can only be use if not holding any other item.

Jump Catch
10e | 1/2c | 15r
For the next 3 seconds, catch any Ball thrown toward you. Have wider catch range than normal catch, and can catch a Arc Throw. Can only be use if not holding any other item.

Iron Defense
5e | 1/2c | 15r
For the next 5 seconds, any water ball that hit you will only do 10 damage. You can not move in the duration of this skill.

Return Shot
15e | 1/2c | 15r
For the next 3 seconds, catch any Ball thrown toward you, and throw it back to your current target.

Fast Throw
10e | 1c | 10r
Throw the holding water ball at your target. This move at twice of speed.

Arc Throw
5e | 2c | 10r
Throw the holding water ball at your target. This will Arc.

Hard Throw
15e | 3c | 15r
Throw the holding water ball at your target, doing additional 15 damage if hit.

Smash Throw
20e | 5c | 20r
Throw the holding water ball at your target, doing additional 30 damage if hit.

Fake Throw
10e | 2c | 20r
Throw a fake water ball at your target that will do 0 damage if hit.

Knockout Throw
15e | 3c | 20r
Throw the holding water ball at your target, doing that will knock down the target for 3 seconds if hit.

Rain Drop Bomb
15e | 4c | 20r
Throw the holding water ball at your target, doing additional 15 damage if hit. This will Arc.

Twist Throw
15e | 4c | 20r
Throw the holding water ball at your target, this can not be Catch.

Long Throw
10e | 3c | 20r
Throw the holding water ball at your target, that goes extra long. This will Arc.

Interrupter Throw
10e | 2c | 20r
Throw the holding water ball at your target, will also Interrupted target’s current action. This will Arc.

Passing Throw
5e | 1/2c | 20r
Throw the holding water ball to your target ally. They will automatically catch it if not holding anything.

Heal Bubble
5e | 2c | 10r
Heal a team ally for 10 HP.

Healing Breeze
15e | 3c | 30r
Heal a team ally for 30 HP.

Healing Touch
10e | 3c | 20r
Heal a team ally for 30 HP. Must at touch distance.

Return to Court
15e | 4c | 20r
Heal a dead team mate and heal them for 30 hp.

Return to Field
20e | 5c | 30r
Heal a dead team mate and heal them for 50 hp and 10 energy.

Dash
10e | 1c | 10r
For the next 10 seconds, you move 33% faster.

Those are example of skills which I think would be good to have in such game. (could have more, or less) If follow that of the snowball arena, could divide them into different classes. However, I would like to see it where you could “earn” different ones and customize your own skill build.

Strategy:
The strategy is of course catch or dodge balls thrown at you, block those aiming at your vulnerable allies, and throw your ball when they are casting for their throw. More advance team strategies can be develop with those example skills.

Some possible builds could be:

Balance: A balace set of skills.
Defender: Lots Catch skills, great in use to body block a supplier or Statue.
Supplier: pack with lots Pearl making skills, and a pass.
Interupter: King of interuption.
Artillery: Long range and Arc shots for bombing important target.
Anti-Catcher: Use un-catchable or fake shots to make defender drop their guard.
Runner: Run around, catching other's attension, and dodging, to create opening for other.
Sniper: Use lots heavy hitting skills, waiting for a right opening.
Healer: Heal, of couse. Good to be behind a Defender.

Extra: (things not necessary needed, but would enhance it)

Would be nice if all character in such arena (and its outpost) will atomically change to a Swimwear outfit. Different style for each class.
Can earn Pearl Points, where you can trade in for new skills for use in this game, as well as other fun item like sun tan potion, firework, beach balls, sand castle, etc. Or even dye and patter to your swimwear.
Will of course take place on a Beach. Might even add some Crabs or Seals here and there.
Allow Spectators.
Summer Beach music in the background.
Splash effect when got hit with the Water Pearl.
Encourage people to have fun.

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well, I guess I went a bit too much with the details. Of couse won't expect to see it in the game, but I think is something that would be nice to have. Also its fun playing it in my head. Reply what you think of it?