Gyn Wallace
OSG Planetary Operations
Covert Intervention
98
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Posted - 2014.04.21 15:46:00 -
[1] - Quote
As much as I love the idea of being able to shield rep my heavies, this idea risks diminishing the distinction between shields and armor. Balance is good; balancing at the cost of variety isn't. You don't want shields and armor to be too similar.
I'd suggest a Shield transfer or capacitor instead of a rep tool. Tapping the trigger (or aiming down sights) switches between "absorb target's shields" and "refilling target's shields." Holding the trigger on a target either sucks up their shields (whether they're friendly or hostile) or adds to their shields, but not like an armor rep tool with infinite nanites. It can only repair as much shield power as its previously absorbed. The rate at which it absorbs or discharges shield power could slow as its capacitor fills or discharges.
Equipment: Shield transfer tool
Stats for militia/basic/advanced/proto
Capacity: 600/800/1200/1600 +5% per level of Shield Capacitor tool skill.
Range: 15m/15m/17m/20m +5% per level of Shield capacitor focus skill
Price: 2k/5k/10k/20k
Shield absorption rate:
0-25% of its capacity in 4 seconds,
26%-50% in 8 seconds,
51%-75% in 16 seconds, and
76% to 100% in 32 seconds.
Shield discharge rate:
100% -76% of its capacity in 2 seconds,
75%-51% in 4 seconds,
50%-26% in 8 seconds, and
25%-0% in 16 seconds.
At proto levels a logi could charge up his tool fully in about a minute, discharge it fully in about 30 seconds. The initial absorption rate is so high that it makes friendly targets vulnerable while the tool is filling up. A completely filled shield transfer capacitor though, can rep a heavy's shields at nearly 250 shields per second, for two seconds, then 125 shields per second for four seconds, then 75 shields/sec for 8 seconds, and 37.5 shields/sec for 16 seconds, at which point its depleted until it absorbs more shields.
Potentially interesting side effects: A nearly depleted shield transfer tool might be more useful draining enemy shields, than repairing friendly shields. If a tool is absorbing shields from a target when that target gets hit with a flux grenade, the energy of the flux grenade could be absorbed by the transfer tool, potentially filling it, or over filling it, resulting in overheating/seizing for a little while. |