With the current discussion around ninjas, I would like to throw in some constrictive thoughts, since noone likes people who only complain.
My suggestion will cover:
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How do we change ninjas so the other paths (ninjitsus) become interesting?
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How do we balance assassinate without taking it's charm away?
This is a very rough idea, but here is how it goes:
First, two general changes - caltraps should work on flying opponents and doublesheat should become native skill again. The assassinate skill will also be native, but study will not be i.e. it will be selectable. The reasoning behind this will be explained bellow.
There will be two major paths that split in three minor paths each, giving a total of SIX different paths.
A player will be able to choose one Major and one Minor path.
Major Paths:
-Rogue
-Assassin
Minor paths for Rogue:
-Lotus scourge
-Collateral shadowstrike
-Surgery shadowstrike
Minor paths for Assassin:
-Falcon eye
-Death kiss
-Dummy (just a random name I came with...)
-Second chance
There will be two major paths that split in three minor paths each, giving a total of SIX different paths.
Assassin will be one who specializes in assassinating PCs and rogue will be a stealthy warrior. Rogues will still have the assassinate skill for the purpose of assassinating mobs.
By select rogue, the ninjas will automatically gain camouflage and keen sight.
By selecting assassin, the ninja will gain study.
ROGUE:
Lotus scourge - lands 100% of the time on victims that are already poisoned.
Collateral shadowstrike - Increased damaged (DISMEMBER/MASSACRE without sanc) + random stat decrease with cap of all stats at -2.
Surgery shadowstrike - Lower damage (MUTILATE without sanc) + a stat of your choice with a cap of -5. You can choose a primary + secondary stat. When you decrease his primary stat by -5 you start hitting his secondary stat.
ASSASSIN:
First of all trying to assassinating someone who is awake should have it's chance reduced by 50%.
Falcon eye: just as it is at the moment but you lose ALL your study if someone engages you. No matter whether you have meditated upon it or not.
Death kiss: Your assassinate will land 100% of the time no matter how naked you are and how decked your opponent is, considering you have fully studied him and he is asleep.
Dummy: You study via being in combat. You don't lose what you've learned no matter whether you've meditated upon it or not.
Second chance: Ability to cancel unsuccessful assassinate (death kiss atm).
PS. This is an old idea that I've revamped slightly, so it might sound familiar to some of you.