Hiyas,
This is my first post and I hope it's in the right place.
I've always thought that the title Battle Empath and all other titles related didn't really mean much. The only thing an empath can do to aid in battle is cast SOP (Sphere of Protection), manipulate, and be bait. Manip doesn't really help others, just swamps them. Of course there is the major fact that we heal the fighters, but I've always felt that other then healing, we're pretty useless. We're just a bonus when hunting. If we had passive agressive spells that could be directed at the critters, then I think that our role in battle could be much greater.
I'm not sure what we could have as spells but I've always thought that a sleep spell or some sort of holding or paralizing spell could really push empaths going into battle instead of just sitting at a triage, making the title Battle Empath have all the more meaning. I've spoken with many empaths that go hunting on a regular basis and they all thought it would be wonderful.

Ok that's my little rant, I hope it's taken into consideration what with all the new spells being issued to other guilds.

Thanks very much
-Tranta

<<I always saw "Battle Empath" as someone who could survive long enough in combat to help by field-healing (by evading, parrying, etc.).

Yep.

Also..

<<The only thing an empath can do to aid in battle is cast SOP (Sphere of Protection), manipulate, and be bait. Manip doesn't really help others, just swamps them.

1) Yes, SOP does help others, as well as ourselves.

2) Manipulate gets critters off of ourselves, and can also turn critters on each other.

3) AD is a GREAT spell. Sure, it doesn't give hunters some big bonus to anything, but it sure gives us a bonus to balance and evasion, etc.

4) Innocence.

Besides "being bait"...how about brawling a critter so that it is more off balance for someone to be able to hit it? Or so it turns and faces us so that the other person can get a few hits in?

How about patrolling dangerous areas looking for injured folks? Using PERC HEALTH to see if anything is in immediate danger..

Don't think of it as "The great big barb standing along side his trusty BATTLE EMPATH!"

Think of it as the Battle Empath being a capable individual.

And, this isn't to say that I wouldn't like some ways to sleep/calm a critter, or to be able to directly help an entire hunting party by melding the lifeforce with theirs for some benefit...

I'd like those things very much, but even without them..a Battle Empath is still a capable individual.

Regards,
player of Syrath



"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup."

Kinsmen, Steel, Stone.
http://www.stone-clan.com

RL/IG Calendar 2004 http://www.geocities.com/staanstok/DRCalendar2004.htm

I agree with Groo3 about how 'Battle Empath' should be skill based. I have the right to use that title if I wish to- but the fact is I would have a hard time holding my own against anything much stronger than a goblin, as I've spent a lot more time healing than 'dancing'. Slowly but surely I am correcting the lack though! Until then, I will not call myself a 'battle empath'.

Doryaa


Sometimes the key to happiness is not assuming it is locked in the first place- Ziggy

A journey of a thousand SMILES begins with a single step- Ziggy

I agree with the "Battle Empath" idea. I personally split my circling in half on my way to 30 so that I could be called a Battle Empath and feel good about it. I could feasibly be 60th circle by now vice 40 at my current state, just so I could wear it. I'd say the ability to hunt rock trolls at least should be around the expected range, it shows that you've put some time into hunting even if you can't yet take on Ogres or such. If you assume that you put at least 50 ranks in evasion/shield/whatever to defend against something that you have proven yourself worthy to be called by any title that uses "battle" or "Warrior" or "Soldier" You may not yet be a master, but you aren't green either

Souv

100 ranks in armor and weapon skills is a lot for an empath. I'm 22nd circle, I've pretty much always healed in the field, and I'm pretty certain that I'll circle 8 more times before getting 100 in any armor or weapon skill. Once my armor, shield, parry, and multi-op got around 50, they just started crawling. I think I learn empathy at least 4 times as fast as my tert. skills despite having twice as many ranks in it. My current routine is to go and perc heal while I practice defenses, until my mind starts getting thick, then I go rest, heal myself if necessary, and heal others. Once my weapon and armor skills aren't clouding my mind any longer and I'm all healed, I go back out. Sadistis, I'm puzzled as to how your shield skill got to be so much higher than your evasion. My evasion is almost 25 ranks above my shield and armor, and 15 above my parry, In the last week I think I've gained 4 ranks in evasion, and no more than two in any weapon or armor skill, there's just no way they can keep up.

Limbeck