Diversion

[Sypthe]

Hi!

So, I'm not very big on deep discussions on rules and implications power-wise and such, so I'll leave that to you folks , and take your word on things!

However, my thing is: I play a high-parry character (I've heard parry is OP, but .. err.. that's not what this is about, so please try and disregard that), and to do that, I kind of need aggro.

There's simply no proper way of getting it. Diversion takes way too long, first to even fire, then it takes a full round it seems, and then its effects last too short. It shouldn't be a full-round thing to do, I'm sure. I don't know if it should be a free action (doubt it), but I get 3 attacks from BAB, and I'd kind of hope it would just take up one attack.

In addition - I would love it, love it if there was something to grab more AoE-like to grab aggro. I don't know if this would massively unbalance things, but it seems like a reasonable thing.

Lastly: aggro-grabbing should stick, imo. It's strange to see Darius hit an enemy, Jo (after a looong time) Diversion him off, parry two blows (with ripostes) before the enemy turns back around for Darius again. It doesn't make logical sense - why would they just turn back around to their previous enemy? Aren't they sort of enraged?

Anyway, I don't know if this is a valid thing to bring up, but -- here's hoping!

[Intrepid42]

The Taunt skill has a AOE aggro effect. It will turn enemies hostile.

I have been told by others that it can grab someone's attention during a battle, just like hitting them does. A quick google search finds other people stating this as well.

http://www.quartertothree.com/game-t...t=30510&page=4

The other option is to hit them with a ranged/melee weapon, of course.

Sneak attack is particularly useful for grabbing attention during a battle, if a character has it. My DD for solo modules (other than ones such as the OC with it's hordes of Sneak Attack-Immune enemies) usually has rogue levels so he can attract attention. I have never tried using the Taunt skill in this way, as this has usually been enough, along with making sure he attacks first.

[Sypthe]

If you're supposed to use the taunt skill - what is the use of Diversion? XD

And I'm not about to toss in rogue levels to get a beneficial combat effect.

[Kaeldorn]

Using the taunt skill applies a debuff, which I believe is measured in somewhere in the 'hate' calculations to determine a preferred target. I don't think it's a definite success. Succeeding at diversion means you get a target to attack you, and it should stay on you for several rounds (it's entirely fail-safe), overriding the whole 'hate' calculations mechanic.

That is at least how I made it work. I'm not sure if the AI scripts have been reverted/cleaned up over time. Would need to test it. As a first test to see the effect in action as it stands.. how about we go hunt some monsters tonight?

[Subal]

Gromlin uses the skill diversion nonstop in party's and it has never failed him , unsure if it runs off your taunt skill to equate if you succeed in it or not. But it works fine from what i have seen.

[Sypthe]

It works, but it's too slow. I've asked around before posting, and most people seemed to agree. I don't know if I just got a biased sample, but... are you sure he was using Diversion and not just taunt? You can recognize Diversion by the orange text appearing.

I lived in the assumption Diversion was intended to replace the Taunt skill.

Sure, Kael - you can ask Jo out on a date!

[Subal]

I think it works just fine at its speed, least against higher end mobs I fight at my level. Granted at lower levels it may seem a bit slow, but if im correct your taking a full turn to Scream, make fun of, whatever to attract the mobs attention. This isn't wow nor eq and you should not auto piss a mob off agro wise insta, less you just smashed him with a magic middle storm, Yeah that may warrent a oh Shit from the mob.

[roguethree]

Parry is going to disappoint you. That is all.

[Thief Of Navarre]

Parry is only usefull for the current or last attacker, for everyone else you can count your AC as zero. Good for bosses, bad for groups. As you may have seen from when Fox joined you he attacts ALOT of attention because of his sneaks and his bleeding dice (which do no damage through DR contrary to description).

The best way to get attention is either through spellcasting or situational attacks (SA, DA, AoO, Riposte 'may' garner more hate ~ needs to be tested). *edit* Diversion with 20 levels of paladin might also work

[caterpillar]

Diverson works as it should be I think. I'm using it wildly to attract the enemy's attention, when my co-fighters (especially rogues) are attacked by the enemy. I have got good experiences with that.

[Sypthe]

Are you sure you're talking about Diversion, and not Taunt?

I'm just making sure - since I've found a few people confuse the two.

Also: I've demonstrated the issues with taunt to Kaeldorn, in-game. Frequently, the enemies will fail their will save, yet not attack.

[caterpillar]

Are you sure you're talking about Diversion, and not Taunt?

I'm just making sure - since I've found a few people confuse the two.

Also: I've demonstrated the issues with taunt to Kaeldorn, in-game. Frequently, the enemies will fail their will save, yet not attack.

Yep, I am pretty sure (maybe because I don't have even one skill point invested in taunt ). I select an enemy attacking some friendly target, I click on the icon of the Diversion feat seated in my UI bar, it waits a moment or two (means round) and then it appears something like "XX now attacks Kili" written in orange letters and the foe focuses on me.