Updated Catalyzing
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 7:59 pm
I'm making this thread mostly to discuss the brain cylinder, but feel free to discuss other catalyzing content. I want to bring up a balancing issue. Obviously, these items aren't anywhere near finished being spaded, I've only used the horrible brain cylinder once so it's possible it's not as bad as I think it is, but it feels like the punishment for using the brain cylinders does not fit the reward in light of other sources. Assuming that one is somewhat high level, it is possible to get 3 stats of any kind in 10 minutes with no other cost or penalty, granted it requires a vehicle range of 5 or greater.
In comparison, a brain cylinder takes 90 minutes of catalyze time for the yuggothium and a tok'l ore, as well as a CTHULHU disc. When I used the horrible brain cylinder, I received 3 intellect and 120 minutes of an effect that gives -25% to all stats and -5 psychic damage per combat round.
I know that not every method of obtaining stats is going to be equal, and the brain cylinders have the pros of not taking up time and no level requirement, but this just seems like overkill for a mere 3 stats. Given that the role of the 3 main stats is generally downplayed in importance compared to the 'hidden' stats and level, the punishment does not fit the reward after all the effort it takes to obtain it. I would recommend either a shorter duration for the effect, removing or lowering the stat penalty, or increasing the stat gain. Some might argue that increasing the stat gain would make level requirements necessary, but if the -25% stats is kept on for 120 minutes, early levels are still going to be hit hard by that (maybe level 4 or 5 would be reasonable so that -25% really means something).
In comparison, a brain cylinder takes 90 minutes of catalyze time for the yuggothium and a tok'l ore, as well as a CTHULHU disc. When I used the horrible brain cylinder, I received 3 intellect and 120 minutes of an effect that gives -25% to all stats and -5 psychic damage per combat round.
I know that not every method of obtaining stats is going to be equal, and the brain cylinders have the pros of not taking up time and no level requirement, but this just seems like overkill for a mere 3 stats. Given that the role of the 3 main stats is generally downplayed in importance compared to the 'hidden' stats and level, the punishment does not fit the reward after all the effort it takes to obtain it. I would recommend either a shorter duration for the effect, removing or lowering the stat penalty, or increasing the stat gain. Some might argue that increasing the stat gain would make level requirements necessary, but if the -25% stats is kept on for 120 minutes, early levels are still going to be hit hard by that (maybe level 4 or 5 would be reasonable so that -25% really means something).