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Rise of Isengard: Rune-keeper Developer Diary

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Rise of Isengard: Rune-keeper Developer Diary

By: Brian "Zombie Columbus" Aloisio

Goals

• Continue refining the three Rune-keepers trait paths into more impactful decision points
• Revamp Chisels / Rifflers to be less strictly tied to trait line
• Increase the opportunity cost of utility skills
• Introduce a hybrid AOE damage dealer
• Buff Wrath of Flame with a focus on ramping up faster
• Increase AOE healing slightly

The Rune-keeper

Is a DPSer. And a Healer. He’s great at both but not at the same time, and not easily when speced the same.

Chisels

I want to start this diary by talking about the changes to the Rune-keeper class item. Not because there are any terribly big changes, but because chisels and rifflers are used by all Rune-keepers equally. Our goal here was to give more choices based on circumstances as opposed to rather odious decisions. I’ll get right into the changes instead of trying to explain much more up front.
 
All Chisels and Rifflers:
 
Instead of increasing either tactical damage or outgoing healing, all chisels and rifflers now increase both ratings by equal amounts.
 
This change immediately opened up the design space, allowing us to make all six class items viable for any type of Rune-keeper.
 
Standard Chisel:
 
Resistance penetration replaced with Finesse.
 
Same function as before, but utilizing the new stats we are introducing in Rise of Isengard. Coupled with the above change to all chisels and rifflers, this allows healing focused Rune-keepers to land Final Words more consistently.
 
Chisel of Flame:
 
Increase power regeneration.
 
The 2-set bonus of Cleansing Fires now provides the knockback immunity to Fiery Ridicule, freeing this chisel up to give a different bonus that many Rune-keepers would like. Power regeneration fits nicely with Fire’s sub-theme of power efficiency, so it felt like a natural pairing.
 
Chisel of Lightning:
 
“Charged” effect replaced with increased Critical Hit Rating.
 
Like the Chisel of Flame, the 4-set bonus of Solitary Thunder now gives the “Charged” buff, allowing this chisel to give a better generically good bonus. Also much like Fire, we chose a stat that is thematically tied to Lightning. As a side, remember that critical hit chance also works on healing!
 
Standard Riffler:
 
Now reduces threat from all sources (damage and healing).
 
Just a straight and natural buff, this makes the riffler good for any Rune-keeper who is tired of pulling agro.
 
Riffler of Writs:
 
Now changes Master of Writs into a Toggle skill with a reduced the power penalty reduction.
 
The ability to turn Master of Writs into a toggle skill has been removed from the Benedictions of Peace and placed on this Riffler. Now, all Rune-keepers will be able to play with the toggle version of this skill.
 
Riffler of Hope:
 
Changed to increase the potency of the initial heal on Prelude to Hope.
 
With some of the changes to Prelude to Hope, more pulses felt a little anti-synergistic. So we decided to change to buffing the initial pulse only. This should be helpful to all soloing Rune-keepers as a skill to spam as you run away (I do this a lot).

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