For every buff spell that the shaman acquires that may be cast on other targets, but is not a resist protection spell, I propose the following:
Starting at the 2nd tier of buffs, give the shaman an additional spell called Spirit Portal.
Casting Spirit Portal acts as a primer to the following Buff spell that meets the above criteria. Upon casting the buff spell the Shaman creates a Spirit Portal of <insert buff here> in front of it that other players may click, up to 6.
Upon pressing the spirit portal button again, it closes, and players receive a buff.
The value of the buff is dependent on the amount of players that click the portal; the value and duration of it goes up in increments per player.
- players would net a loss over casting the single target buff
- see 2
- parity
- buff would no longer increase in value, but the duration of the buff still increases
- see 5
These values could be considered in the current buff discussion and applied as deemed appropriate.
This:
Reduces the length of buffing time, while still having to mem and unmem the spells.
Doesn't require an additional "group buff" for each spell, for each tier, thus making it a one time cost to players.
Allows the devs to balance mana costs through making aoe buffs for groups a flat % increase of the spell cost
Requires active players to participate, rather than being able to buff afk players (still viable through single target)
I think that's everything, no doubt something forgotten. Please keep discussion civil and on topic as best as possible.
For other buff classes, they could potentially have similar mechanics if they felt left out. Clerics create a holy circle. Druids turn into a tree that people can touch, I dunno.
