How to create interesting Talents/Upgrades?
By @Mr.Nobody
[in progress]
There are many ways to approach a skill system (skill trees, items that give upgrades, skills learned by leveling etc). However, in all those systems, what are some ways to make those skills more interesting and to give players more freedom and customization options?
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@Mr.NobodyIn systems similar to skill-trees, it is always hard to come up with talents that aren't overpowered and at the same time make talent choices meaningful.
An easy way to make talents more impactful without breaking the game balance, is to create talents made of two-parts: a benefit and a disadvantage. Examples:
- A warrior talent for dodge:
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- Instead of having a Warrior talent that gives +5% Dodge (relatively low impact);
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- Can be replaced by a Warrior talent that gives +25% Dodge, but reduces armor by -25%;
- A spellcaster talent for spell cast speed:
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- Instead of increasing cast speed by +5%
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- Increase cast speed by +25%, but reduce damage by -25%
Another option are talent modifiers:
- Instead of increasing damage (+ damage);
- Apply a modifier (+ chance to trigger something special, or change the way an existing ability works);