John Robertson wrote:
> From: John Robertson <johnr@...>
>
> This is a good list of bard related things to fix, and since John's list is
> almost entirely what I would consider bugs, I would have no problem signing it.
>
> If I could add one thing: raise the skill cap on Instill Doubt and/or make it
> so it is not dependent on landing a kick in order to work. I have personally
> pressed the Instill Doubt button THOUSANDS of times, and never gained a point or
> scared anyone. If we're going to have a skill, at least make it work.
I hit 100 in instill doubt last night. I have a sad feeling that is probably our
cap, but I'll
check next time I visit Freeport to be sure. I strongly encourage all bards (and
monks
and rogues) to practice and get this skill up there - it still doesn't work all the
time, but
it has saved my life once or twice, and it frequently now makes battles a little
easier to
finish up in groups. A few pointers:
-Yes, this skill is *sloooow* in raising, especially until you get it into the 40s
or so. I'd
recommend in waiting to train it until you have 15-20 training points to waste,
therefore
pumping it immediately up into slightly useful range.
-You do *not* need a valid target for the skill to increase. Corpses, PCs, pets,
and NPCs
out of range will all check the skill and check for a skill raise. So, don't think
you need to
stand in front of some stationary guard to practice it. When you're running across
West
Karana, for instance, select a hapless player corpse, and hit instill doubt every
time it
un-greys as you run across the zone.
-If you happen to play on a team or PvP server, be *very* careful when you practice
this
on friends - I've kicked people into trains, made them fall through the world...they
tend to
be kind of mad afterwords. :)
-Even when it gets high, you still won't succeed very often, mostly due to the fact
that the
skill needs *4* successful checks to succeed:
1) You need to not fail your instill doubt skill check.
2) You need to not miss your kick.
3) The monster needs to not parry/block/riposte/dodge/etc your kick.
4) The monsters needs to non resist the fear spell check.
So, don't expect miracles, but it is a nice, handy skill to have, and rather fun
too. :)
-Lohengrin,
a scary bard on Rallos Zek