Levitating animations discussion

GreatThodric

I just wanted to make this discussion to get a general idea of where people stand on the levitating animations while casting spells as seen in the many videos released by Intrepid such as this one and this one

I personally dislike this animation and here's why: Firstly, I don't like how it looks. Just a personal preference. Secondly, it doesn't really make sense that your character can levitate unless that is something the archetype has the ability to do.
I feel like the animation invites the idea that all spellcaster have a form of levitation, which I doubt all of them have. (I could be wrong though)
And if these archetypes don't have the ability to levitate, then why would they suddenly be able to levitate while casting specific spells?

I fully understand that this is just an animation flair and doesn't really matter, but it was just something that kind of bugged me when I watched the videos. I don't have many things to complain about with AoC so I'm nitpicking.

What are your thoughts? Do you like it or not? Do you care? Do you think it has an in-universe explanation or just artistic flair? Does it serve a PVP function?

Keep it civil.

McShave

I also do not like the flying spell casting, I want to keep my feet on the ground while handling all that spell power. If the different races have different casting styles, I think that would be ok. I would just pick a different race.

maouw

I don't want to be rooted in casting animations. I think it's only ok for huge AoE ultimate spells like if you're going to make a meteor the size of a house fall from the sky - and gives players enough time to get out of the way. That's something that would require "intense concentration" from the caster.

It also means the caster is particularly vulnerable during that time, so enemies can capitalize on it (floating and sparkling should help the caster stand out), and allies can coordinate to protect the caster for a few brief seconds.

But as I said, I'd prefer this be kept to a minimum and only for high impact spells

Sathrago

The only issue I see with this is that said spells would force you to keep casting them or if you move during the cast your character will look very odd.

So I would have to assume such spells must require some thinking before you press them or you could end up locking yourself in with an assassin sensually kissing the back of your neck with their blade.

I am not against a spell locking me in and doing a special animation. I just dont want every spell to be a lock in.

Maybe they could make an animation for when you "break" concentration on one of these spells but suffer a backlash that gives you a cast time debuff for a few seconds called mana instability or something?

This would remove the lock in but punish players for breaking their powerful spells before they finish being cast. This makes you think more about the spell without completely stunning you in place at the mercy of enemies

maouw

^ Actually, yeah - most spells root you briefly (I'm thinking of LoL) but we're talking about roots that last splits of a second - which is why it feels ok.

maouw

Take this gif: I think Ezreal from LoL is a good example of cast times (you can see the bar near the middle of the screen that fills up showing cast duration) and you can see the corresponding animations.
For those who don't know LoL: he uses 3 abilities here: his ultimate, his tele across the wall, and his basic projectile spell.



Notice how he halts for brief moments when he's moving to attack/cast spells but it's barely noticeable except for his ult where he's locked in place.
It's worth noting that Ezreal has remained a decent competitive pick even at high levels of play, and he hasn't required major redesigns as some older champions have - which speaks in part to the reliability of how he plays.

daveywavey

I quite like them. It's like you're building up so much arcane energy inside you, it's physically lifting you off the ground. The resulting spell animation should also be as spectacular. The thing I don't like about the Exorcism animation is that the start is so awesome, and it ends with a tiny firecracker instead of a nuke. I wanted a "BOOOOOM!" rather than a "plhhrp".

daveywavey

daveywavey wrote: »

I quite like them. It's like you're building up so much arcane energy inside you, it's physically lifting you off the ground.

Can't remember who it was that loved the word "arcane" so much, but that one's for you!

Crosim

I am on the side of no floaty spells, or if they are in the game, I'd hope they'd be on a long cooldown. If I can summon up enough energy to float up into the air every 12 seconds, then I want the ability to just float over a wall lol.

Nerror

I don't like the levitating animations either. Purely from a visual and immersion standpoint. They just feel wrong.

Sathrago

I see alot of dislike for the levitation spells but let me propose this: alot of these spells seem to coorilate with the theme of stars, gravity and celestial bodies. Perhaps clerics, or baseline clerics draw from a god or source that supports this from a lore perspective? Would you still be against it?

Crosim

Sathrago wrote: »

I see alot of dislike for the levitation spells but let me propose this: alot of these spells seem to coorilate with the theme of stars, gravity and celestial bodies. Perhaps clerics, or baseline clerics draw from a god or source that supports this from a lore perspective? Would you still be against it?

The want of being able to levitate over walls was mostly a joke. I think the levitation spells aren't a big deal, as long as they aren't something thats done frequently. By that I mean like, every 5th spell I cast in a rotation has me just bobbing off the floor.

I personally find it kind of off, however if the rest of the archetype specifically has a theme for doing that often and its kind of a cleric shtick, I don't think it would be bad. Them having some kind of slowfall/levitation maybe toss in some ethereal angel wings here and there on big spells. It could work? We are only seeing a small portion of the spells so who knows? I would really love to see that kind of 'style' of casting to differentiate animations on casters, and not just the color of particle effects.

Lore Dynamic

GreatThodric wrote: »

And if these archetypes don't have the ability to levitate, then why would they suddenly be able to levitate while casting specific spells?

What if it's not your choice? As a Cleric or whatever Class. What if the magic of the God/Goddess (who is bestowing this amazing power unto you) is so sublime...that you simply are lifting into the air as a side-effect of using it?



Just a little thought from the RP/Immersion side of the lore/story.

pyreal

I don't like them, mostly.

With the Cleric, he levitates on an AoE, but not a Rez. Really? If any levitating happens it should be high impact casts, as mentioned, not some level 10 AoE.

Sent

I don't like them. Way to anime for my taste.

Lore Dynamic

pyreal wrote: »

I don't like them, mostly.

With the Cleric, he levitates on an AoE, but not a Rez. Really? If any levitating happens it should be high impact casts, as mentioned, not some level 10 AoE.

I do agree with you on the Resurrection. For a spell as awe-inspiring as bringing a person back from the brink of death.... I feel like that sort of holy energy/power/magic would possibly cause the caster to levitate.

However, I personally disagree with tossing all 'levitation' into the trash. I'll just quote my own post from Twitter:

"So many games have their casters remain grounded. It's stale and boring. Floating gives a sense of power and awe of the spell being preformed. And also gives a player a sense of the 3 dimensional aspect of the environment they are in."

I don't think every spell or Class needs some sort of 'levitating'-looking spell/skill effect. But the right spells in the right situations....I dunno, just makes the world feel more mystical and alive.

Verra was/is a world of magic. And gods. And power. Cool looking light-effects, movement and sounds helps to emphasize the wonder of this amazing world!

daveywavey

I really like the Resurrection spell. It looked flashy with the rainbow colouring, and they'd even though about it from the perspective of the player being resurrected, in the way they've got them standing up, rather than just instantly being upright again.

LieutenantToast

Speaking personally, I've always wanted the superpower of flight - so I love seeing how some of these spells appear to be filling you with so much power that they pick you up off the ground with a flourish! That being said, we definitely appreciate seeing the variety of feedback you've shared here on the animations we've highlighted so far

Also uh...apologies if I blew out anyone's eardrums in the first video Thodric linked >>

Ehrgeiz

It looks mostly stupid.

Erdun

True, levitating animations sucks.

Shoklen

I like it and don't mind it, as long as it's not repetitive and on every other spell cast. Just the special ones where the caster is giving their "all" seems appropriate.

Personally I'd rather see more Sigils, Runes, or Circles; or combinations there of.

Lore Dynamic

daveywavey wrote: »

I really like the Resurrection spell. It looked flashy with the rainbow colouring, and they'd even though about it from the perspective of the player being resurrected, in the way they've got them standing up, rather than just instantly being upright again.

The prismatic coloring effect was especially nice during that spell, I agree! And also a fantastic touch & attention to detail; was allowing the resurrected character-model to stand up of their own accord. I'm glad others noticed this as well. ^_^