Shattered Kingdoms

Oh, GREAT. Minette has spoken. Now something garish is going to happen, a la the recall change.

If this keeps up there will be three classes left.

Scouts
Mercs
and Sorcs

Playing anything else will become unenjoyable due to significant imbalances. Melee fighting will become history.

The problem with ranged combat is actually skirmish. If it was restricted to only scouts (maybe rogues) then the party would be forced to be comprised of only scouts (and maybe rogues) which are harder to find then mercs.

Mercs still auto assist when a scout finds a target with skirmish - it would be a start, definitely.

Scouts should be better at ranged combat than mercs.

I did some testing of my own and sent you an email.

I'm inclined to agree. Too many classes have Skirmish, which is an incredibly powerful skill to have now. It should be limited to Scouts / Rogues only in my opinion. Would balance things out and stop all the spec in longbows / uber ranged damage.

Edit: The reason I say Rogues as well is because they need to have an alternative way to fight back. A rogue going toe to toe with a merc or heavy armored class is at a huge disadvantage, especially if they're alone.

If we all specced khopesh and used a shield to activate a certain cabal ability, we'd still own. Ranged combat doesn't need nerfing. The most recent destructive use of 'volleying' (I'm coining the phrase) was on a bard, whom has the ability to quaff potions (which all classes can do) and recite scrolls (several spells will render ranged combat obselete).

If ranged combat is killing you quickly, you might want to consider something to raise your HP, armor class, or advance on your opponent in such a way that you can not be skirmished as you arrive.

I would name several cheap ways to nuke a ranged combat formation, but I'm a ranged combatant.

Good luck.

I call [REDACTED]. There are not "several spells" which will help. Mirrors will barely last you a round and etherealform will render you useless.

Besides, the entire point is that ranged combat deals the same or more damage than other weapons but ignores formation - it needs to be below other types of weapons...

Sure, if you all specced khopesh, you'd still be a force to reckon with, but this ranged bullcrap is just silly because you can start out by taking down the (supposedly) protected support characters first.

ADDENDUM: And finally, I tire of all the ranged combat-users acting all wise saying that there are "measures" to protect yourself from ranged combat. Vague attempts of justification...

Now, I have tried just about every tired argument anyone could put up to protect me. Now, tell me, how should I, as a group's supporting healer (priest) protect myself from ranged combat? I've been killed in three rounds by two shooters, despite having GM stone skin, GM mirror images, GM protection, GM sanc, GM armor, full set of enchanted adamantite and a shield. That amounts to six rounds by a single ranged combatant who can sit in the third row a room or two away at his leisure - and that is against a foe who has undergone ridiculous amounts of preparation. How can that be fair?

Ranged combat needs a wimp.

make it so spellcasters can skirmish with spells...

Priest?

skirmish flamestrike Combatant

Sorc?

skirmish 'magic missile' Combatant

Shaman?

skirmish flamestrike Combatant