* Disclaimer - Yup, I realize we've had CHANNELED versions of spells for quite some time. Had I been someone who actively (ever?) made use of CHANNEL then no doubt I would have thought to post something along these lines at that time instead of now. *

With the slew of new spells / spell versions being released via the ELR, I feel we are making the basic mechanics of casting a spell needlessly more confusing and complicated. My primary complaint is focused on combat spells where we need to be able to consider the current situation, determine our course of action/identify desired target(s), and execute all within a 3 second window. Many of the new spell abilities available via the ELR now require that an additional element be considered, which syntax do I need to use to CAST the desired spell effect.

- Minor Acid now requires CAST for the single target version and EVOKE for the ball version.
- Immolation is proposed to require CAST for one effect and EVOKE for another.
- Cone of Elements now has a totally unique syntax where we need to type CAST ELEMENT AT target
- Lot's more examples but you get the general idea.

While EVOKE, INCANT, CHANNEL, CAST ELEMENT, etc. are fine as alternative ways of casting a desired spell effect, I would strongly suggest and encourage that we continue to honor PREP / CAST as the standard way to cast any spell (combat spell?) by allowing for the various spell versions / choices to be made up front when the spell is being prepared (basically selecting the spell version to cast in the same way that you would select which spell to cast).

Examples as follows:

*To cast an acid bolt
PREP 904
CAST AT target

*To cast an acid ball (effectively a different spell)
PREP 904 EVOKE
CAST AT target

*To cast the LIGHTNING version of Cone of Elements
PREP 518 LIGHTNING
CAST AT target

*To cast the FIRE version of Cone of Elements
PREP 518 FIRE
CAST AT target

I would suggest that we make this style of PREP / CAST available for CHANNELed versions of spells as well.

The primary benefit to this proposal is that it maintains a simple standard for how all spells can be cast. It's easy understand, PREP the desired spell/spell version and CAST it, and it's easy to remember what you need to type in the heat of battle when you want to cast your spell at a given target (because it can always be CAST AT). It also doesn't take away from any newer/different ways of casting spells for people that prefer to use them.

I'd appreciate hearing other peoples thoughts on the above as well as any other suggestions for keeping spell casting simple while still allowing for new and exciting developments/expansions to spells down the road.

-- Robert aka Faulkil

Fluke in the programming, or just your average everyday Konacode? ~ Konacon

>> Everything should be done in one line. Steal from PsiNet and start with the spell # or mnemonic. 702 channel {target}. 703 open. 705 evoke (target).


Honestly.. I agree. IF some major overhaul is happening to casting verbiage, the prep should just be eliminated. Much simpler to me as well (although I see Verb Spell Modifier Target instead of Spell Verb Modifier Target)

This results in

Verb = Cast/Evoke/Open/Channel
Spell = Number of mnemonic
Modifier = Only for a few spells when evoked, for the element
Optional Target = If provided, hit that thing, otherwise use normal auto-target. Never auto-target a player.


I realize that this makes the entire prep area redundant, but it's largely treated as such in practice anyway.

This is obviously a broader and more complicated change, so I don't expect Estild to swoop in in an hour and say "done" the way he did yesterday :D

But I agree with Van & Balekia. Some simplification in syntax would be a good idea.

One rather simple change would be removing the caster as the default target for offensive spells. Right now I believe most people use incant in the field. Evoke has thrown a monkey wrench into the works because it relies on the older CAST code.
If I really want to cast 903 on myself CAST 903 <MyName> would be fine. Having untargeted CAST 903 use Incant code would be a step in the right direction, I think.

And then having a keyword target OPEN to do what we traditionally have been calling open casting is another good idea I see above me.


I already wrote my own wizard script that kinda does this .inc <spell#> <target> for targeted incanting. So I know if a very basic programmer like me can do it, y'all will find a solution. Luckily I don't have to try and unravel ancient CAST code to get mine to work though :D