Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
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- He/Him
This is almost always gonna come down to the level of the technique, and killing someone will likely remove their buffs as well, so killing an enemy with this is, I think, pretty darn likely to dispel anything placed by that specific enemy. That's not quite 'dispel everything' but it's close enough for government work.
Theaxofwar
Definitely not a Bunny Cat in disguise.
- Location
- Standing right behind you
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
Keep in mind we still need to kill a whole bunch of people with a not-that-fast wind up technique in order to get the buff. A wind-up we need to carry out in the face of the boss, because the buff only lasts for the scene. And if the overpowered final boss doesn't bring an army to the showdown, #2 isn't going to do much. (Though it would also mean the overpowered final boss didn't bring an army, which is a very useful edge on its own versus many of the people likely to qualify as said boss.) There's also potential issues if the boss' minions are of a type we want removed quickly, because if they're killed as fast as they turn up they can't be used as fuel for the technique. It's not a cheap and easy power-up.
On the one hand, I rather like Ling Qi getting a hold of a healing technique directly rather than through an ally, even a close ally. On the other hand, in cultivation settings any ability to punch up matters, even if this one has a very tricky set-up.
- Location
- THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
- Pronouns
- He/Him
SBS is also a G7 finisher that ignores many defenses...if she's using it on minions she's kind of using it wrong, IMO. It's her most potent attack by a fair bit and should usually be used on targeting the boss itself. Remember that, at the moment, Year's End Aria can usually only get one person at a time to the point where SBS can hit them, so it's not a mook sweeper, it's a targeted blow, and her most powerful one.
Also, the part of the buff that allows 'hitting up' (the +2 Potency) only lasts one attack. There's a lingering buff for the scene, sure, but it's not a 'hitting up' kinda buff, IMO.
Ling Qi can already punch up with a tricky setup. Specifically, SBS plus Lunatic Crescendo attacks at potentially G12, a higher number than the buff version of this will ever allow absent really weird circumstances.
The use case for the buff version of SBS is not really boss battles, it's big battles where Ling Qi and her friends and allies are all fighting foes in the same league as them. Which have some overlap but are not quite the same thing.
Mmm, in terms of the application of the options they arguably both have issues.
(1) is more defensive in nature. An obvious fight narrative you might be setting up with it would be situations where you're on the back foot, but then you get up, push through with shounen determination, and turn things around. Problem is ofc that it's actually not good at that since it requires you to already be seeing significant success.
(2) doubles down on the "finisher" concept through the lens of anti-group snowballing in a way. A simple expectation there would be cleaning out the minions so as to empower our team to smash the boss. In sort of the inverse to the problem with (1) though one could frame this one as often lending itself to "win harder when you're already winning", which is arguably the role of our finisher with our themes but isn't necessarily that useful. The finisher is more a rad aesthetic move than anything
From this angle then, where either of these options work more is turning things when things are more evenly matched, and everyone is on the ropes. (1) would work better if we were seeing significant debuff field pressure and we don't have any dispellers/cleansers to take advantage of (2)'s buffs to handle that. (2) otoh is probably a generally safe option for trying to flip things over to our victory?
Thematically... (1) I guess presents the image of LQ as protection focused, which is cool. At the same time, it's not necessarily doing much interesting with FFS's themes - it's a passive invocation of spring and renewal which is fine but also not doing much. (2) however looks more at the idea of doing stuff and progress and opportunity, which ties into our political stuff and story etc.
Inclined to go with 2 I think.
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
(1) is more defensive in nature. An obvious fight narrative you might be setting up with it would be situations where you're on the back foot, but then you get up, push through with shounen determination, and turn things around. Problem is ofc that it's actually not good at that since it requires you to already be seeing significant success.
(2) doubles down on the "finisher" concept through the lens of anti-group snowballing in a way. A simple expectation there would be cleaning out the minions so as to empower our team to smash the boss. In sort of the inverse to the problem with (1) though one could frame this one as often lending itself to "win harder when you're already winning", which is arguably the role of our finisher with our themes but isn't necessarily that useful. The finisher is more a rad aesthetic move than anything
From this angle then, where either of these options work more is turning things when things are more evenly matched, and everyone is on the ropes. (1) would work better if we were seeing significant debuff field pressure and we don't have any dispellers/cleansers to take advantage of (2)'s buffs to handle that. (2) otoh is probably a generally safe option for trying to flip things over to our victory?
Thematically... (1) I guess presents the image of LQ as protection focused, which is cool. At the same time, it's not necessarily doing much interesting with FFS's themes - it's a passive invocation of spring and renewal which is fine but also not doing much. (2) however looks more at the idea of doing stuff and progress and opportunity, which ties into our political stuff and story etc.
Inclined to go with 2 I think.
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
- Pronouns
- He/Him
This isn't what I get from #1 at all. #1 is way more offensively oriented on a strategic level...it's a 'success builds on success' technique where Ling Qi and her friends can always come into a new fight completely refreshed as long as they won the last one. It's primary use is not winning the current fight, it's winning the second fight in a row, and then the third, and then the fourth. It's limitless endurance as long as she keeps her momentum going rather than anything thematically defensive per se.
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It's still not on the level of high realm battle, but conceptual clashes between cultivators are always fascinating to read.
Regarding the vote, it's a tough choice.
For reference, this is the original Snowblossom Shattering text.
The flavour text has changed somewhat. While the old one simply killed the enemies, the new one focuses more in the death of the past aspect. The erasure of what was, with only faint traces remaining, yet feeding into the future.
Also, the old one has the petals of the ice flowers being the bearers of new life, which means the technique itself steps into the start of the Spring. The new version releases the energy "when Spring calls", drawing a definite line. Very fitting Ling Qi's realization that spring can't be really hers.
About the mechanical changes. Both options improve the "has their qi greatly restored" into "have their qi fully restored" which is so awesome is almost cheating. Specially since we can kill 10 G1-3 mooks and have several G5-8 fully recharged.
The other 2 effects are divided, improved and/or added a feature.
"All negative effects on them dispelled" becomes "all wounds removed and all negative effects on them dispelled". It adds a quite potent healing factor, even if there will be plenty of wounds/poisons/curses resistant to its effects.
"Their next technique empowered, increasing potency by one" becomes "all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2". It strengthens their next technique even further, a G4 technique becoming G6 it's nothing to scoff at. It also increases all traits by one. That includes offensive traits, armor traits, movement traits and so on. It's easily the most powerful buff we have seen to date.
So, following Ling Qi's acceptance about Spring not being hers I have no doubt that the second option is a much better fit thematically. It gives the strength to fight adversity and reach the Spring rather than being the Spring's arrival itself, which seems what the first options embodies.
I also think it's more useful in a battle between groups. I'm thinking something like the Ith-ai sewer terrorist attack.
The healing option it's best used to truly end a fight, as it leaves everyone as fresh as they started and ready to go again. However, if we are struggling with a boss and we use SBS to wipe the minios, our now-free weaker allies won't be able to contribute much even if they are healed, cleansed and reenergized due to the realm difference.
On the other hand, the second option would allow them to either strike down any lieutenant-level enemy that survived SBS or even punch above their level against the boss.
Not only that, as the second option enhaces all traits and any one technique, they can choose any action besides an offensive attack: their own boosted healing or buffing, terrain modification, movement techniques to run away from an impending massive enemy attack and so on.
If we are facing a group of enemies on average above us, the healing option may just delay defeat, while the boosting option has the chance of changing the tides. The healing option really shines against waves of weaker enemies, since it basically enables a infinite loop cheat. However, Ling Qi is rarele going to be in that kind of situations. She will be going to strike the heart of the enemy, hopefully with a squad with her.
In light of all that
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
Regarding the vote, it's a tough choice.
For reference, this is the original Snowblossom Shattering text.
The flavour text has changed somewhat. While the old one simply killed the enemies, the new one focuses more in the death of the past aspect. The erasure of what was, with only faint traces remaining, yet feeding into the future.
Also, the old one has the petals of the ice flowers being the bearers of new life, which means the technique itself steps into the start of the Spring. The new version releases the energy "when Spring calls", drawing a definite line. Very fitting Ling Qi's realization that spring can't be really hers.
About the mechanical changes. Both options improve the "has their qi greatly restored" into "have their qi fully restored" which is so awesome is almost cheating. Specially since we can kill 10 G1-3 mooks and have several G5-8 fully recharged.
The other 2 effects are divided, improved and/or added a feature.
"All negative effects on them dispelled" becomes "all wounds removed and all negative effects on them dispelled". It adds a quite potent healing factor, even if there will be plenty of wounds/poisons/curses resistant to its effects.
"Their next technique empowered, increasing potency by one" becomes "all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2". It strengthens their next technique even further, a G4 technique becoming G6 it's nothing to scoff at. It also increases all traits by one. That includes offensive traits, armor traits, movement traits and so on. It's easily the most powerful buff we have seen to date.
So, following Ling Qi's acceptance about Spring not being hers I have no doubt that the second option is a much better fit thematically. It gives the strength to fight adversity and reach the Spring rather than being the Spring's arrival itself, which seems what the first options embodies.
I also think it's more useful in a battle between groups. I'm thinking something like the Ith-ai sewer terrorist attack.
The healing option it's best used to truly end a fight, as it leaves everyone as fresh as they started and ready to go again. However, if we are struggling with a boss and we use SBS to wipe the minios, our now-free weaker allies won't be able to contribute much even if they are healed, cleansed and reenergized due to the realm difference.
On the other hand, the second option would allow them to either strike down any lieutenant-level enemy that survived SBS or even punch above their level against the boss.
Not only that, as the second option enhaces all traits and any one technique, they can choose any action besides an offensive attack: their own boosted healing or buffing, terrain modification, movement techniques to run away from an impending massive enemy attack and so on.
If we are facing a group of enemies on average above us, the healing option may just delay defeat, while the boosting option has the chance of changing the tides. The healing option really shines against waves of weaker enemies, since it basically enables a infinite loop cheat. However, Ling Qi is rarele going to be in that kind of situations. She will be going to strike the heart of the enemy, hopefully with a squad with her.
In light of all that
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
- Location
- Shakopee, MN
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all wounds removed and all negative effects on them dispelled.
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
I prefer this option because it increases the dynamic power range of our allies. The other option just lets them replay their parts, this one amplifies and highlights their capabilities by letting them hit higher stat levels without having to revisit them in another combat scene.
I prefer this option because it increases the dynamic power range of our allies. The other option just lets them replay their parts, this one amplifies and highlights their capabilities by letting them hit higher stat levels without having to revisit them in another combat scene.
[] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all wounds removed and all negative effects on them dispelled.
This is about winter coming and then going, leaving the survivors in a world where many have perished. It makes "But this too will pass" a core part of the Art
[] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
This is about consuming the weak, growing stronger for winter's killing of our foes. The past never truly ends but forever impinges upon the present.
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all wounds removed and all negative effects on them dispelled.
I dislike scene long buffs as they tend to fade into the background. Meanwhile the first option has a clear, simple effect: we end each fight with significant restoration, making it difficult to wear us down with fight after fight.
This is about winter coming and then going, leaving the survivors in a world where many have perished. It makes "But this too will pass" a core part of the Art
[] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
This is about consuming the weak, growing stronger for winter's killing of our foes. The past never truly ends but forever impinges upon the present.
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all wounds removed and all negative effects on them dispelled.
I dislike scene long buffs as they tend to fade into the background. Meanwhile the first option has a clear, simple effect: we end each fight with significant restoration, making it difficult to wear us down with fight after fight.
Yeah but we can definitely hit people with Frozen Night's Refrain which only has to do damage to tag them and is an attack we can spam.
- Location
- Florida
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
SleepyCaterpilar
Just a Rapariga
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all traits buffed by 1 for the duration of the scene, and the potency of their next technique is increased by 2
Oliver_Twister
Idea-Man, He Who Shits Ideas
- Location
- West Africa
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I dislike this take. Snowblossom Shattering can only be used once and requires significant build-up before it can be used. It won't be something that fades into the background, just like how stuff like Thousand Year Mist/Zhengui's renewal don't go into the background
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all wounds removed and all negative effects on them dispelled.
Lady_Story
Humble Teller of Stories, Villainess of Legend
- Pronouns
- She/Her/They/Them
[X] Total the Potency of enemies killed this way, allies of potency equal or less to that amount have their qi fully restored, all wounds removed and all negative effects on them dispelled.
