[INT/SCRG] Freya Rawland, Veil Mistress, Verdict: Approved (2/2). Options

[LoreKeeper]

NOTE: This hero is implemented into miniDotA (www.minidota.com). I heartily recommend you try her implemented version to appreciate how she plays.

The hero may seem too simple initially, but it all comes together once the Ultimate is introduced; the interplay of the abilities together with the Ultimate make the hero highly versatile and able to play a role that is not available in DotA currently.




Name: Freya Rawland
Title: Veil Mistress
Model:

Affiliation: Scourge

• Move Speed: 285
• Attack Speed: 1.7
• Attack Range: 600
• Base damage: 32-38 (58-64 with bonus from primary attribute)

Attributes

STR: 18 + 2.1 per level
AGI: 12 + 1.2 per level
INT: 26 + 2.8 per level


Background
Freya had her mortal flesh stripped from her while she was used as a conduit for a demon summoning. What little was left of her was syphoned beyond the veil that separates this world from the void beyond - though instead of ceasing to exist those ethereal remnants of Freya reshaped themselves into a vague semblance of her former self. She now haunts this world in search of her former masters to inflict a fate worse than death upon them.


Abilities

Ability 1: Veil Fire
Ability Type: Targeted AOE nuke
Explanation: Freya disrupts the boundaries of reality in target area, ripping life and mana from enemies within.
Mana Cost = 80/100/120/140
Cooldown = 12/10/8/6 seconds
Area of Effect = 325 unit radius
Cast Range = 500 units

Level 1 - enemies lose 50 life and mana
Level 2 - enemies lose 100 life and mana
Level 3 - enemies lose 150 life and mana
Level 4 - enemies lose 200 life and mana

Framework:

Quite straightforward - a targeted AOE nuke that inflicts life and mana loss on enemies within.

Ability 2: Drape
Ability Type: Activated AOE disable
Explanation: Freya drapes enemies around her in the Veil - this stuns them temporarily and leaves them susceptible to magic for a short while.
Mana Cost = 120
Cooldown = 15
Area of Effect = 325 unit radius

Level 1 - stuns for 1.0 seconds, 20% lowered magic resistance for 5 seconds
Level 2 - stuns for 1.5 seconds, 30% lowered magic resistance for 5 seconds
Level 3 - stuns for 2.0 seconds, 40% lowered magic resistance for 5 seconds
Level 4 - stuns for 2.5 seconds, 50% lowered magic resistance for 5 seconds

Framework:

Stuns enemies in an AOE centered on Freya (similar to Slithereen Crush). Deals no damage, but lowers magic resistance of stunned enemies for 5 seconds.

Ability 3: Sadistic Revelry
Ability Type: Passive, aura
Explanation: Freya thirsts for the pain and anguish in others - when other units (friend or foe) near Freya or her Focal get dealt damaged a small portion of the suffering sustains Freya.
Mana Cost n/a
Cooldown = n/a
AOE = 600 unit radius (around Freya and around her Focal)

Level 1 - Whenever a unit near Freya or her Focal is damaged 1% of damage dealt is gained in life by Freya.
Level 2 - Whenever a unit near Freya or her Focal is damaged 2% of damage dealt is gained in life by Freya.
Level 3 - Whenever a unit near Freya or her Focal is damaged 3% of damage dealt is gained in life by Freya.
Level 4 - Whenever a unit near Freya or her Focal is damaged 4% of damage dealt is gained in life by Freya.

Framework:

Essentially, a portion of all damage inflicted near Freya (and her Focal) is gained in life by Freya. Naturally this means that if she's near her Focal she's effectively getting double the life for all damage dealt in the area. Area of effect for the passive around both Freya and the Focal is 600 unit radius.

This ability is particularly useful in the early game to keep in lane - a typical confrontation of creep waves equates to around 3000 to 4000 damage in total, so Freya recovers around 120 - 160 life during one such confrontation. Albeit slowly; this can be doubled if the Focal happens to be nearby as well.

If Freya is far away from the Focal yet damage is being dealt near the Focal, then Freya gains life as well. Correspondingly, if she's at the Focal and damage is dealt nearby, then Freya gains double life from Sadistic Revelry.

Ultimate

- - Focal - -



Ability Type: Active, point target
Explanation: Freya shapes a part of the veil into a mirror that duplicates her actions. Any AOE abilities she uses are cast both where she targets it as well as at the Focal point (includes Veil Fire and Drape).
Mana Cost = 240/300/360
Cooldown = 60/40/20 seconds


Level 1 - creation and effect range 1000 units
Level 2 - creation and effect range 2000 units
Level 3 - creation and effect range 3000 units

Framework:

"Creation and effect range" means that Freya can create the Focal at the specified range, and she has to be within that range to have her spells duplicated. I suggest that a buff is placed on Freya while she's within range to make it obvious to her (and everybody else) that she's able to duplicate via Focal. In the miniDotA implementation this is shown by creating glowing orbs on Freya's hands.

The Focal has a 400 unit radius sight around itself. So Freya can always see what is near her Focal.

Only one Focal exists at any one time. It is invisible and invulnerable. It lasts until a new Focal is cast by Freya.

Only Freya's own abilities are duplicated by the Focal, in other words "Veil Fire" and "Drape" are cast in both locations. And "Sadistic Revelry" heals Freya based on damage dealt around both herself and her Focal.

FAQ
Based on user posts, here are some helpful pointers:

• If you cast a spell in the Focal Point area, are effects of the spell are doubled (since the Focal Point is also casting that spell in that area too)? - Torchic Maniac
  Yes indeed. Double the pleasure - in the case of Veil Fire that means double damage and double mana loss, but in the case of Drape there isn't much effective difference between one or two being cast.
• The ultimate skill works for spells you cast and items, but something like a Howl of Terror (from an ally) or Tidehunter's ulti would work on both circles? - Mauricio Osuna
  No, only abilities initiated by Freya are duplicated - though your idea might be worthwile pursueing for a different hero idea.

This post has been edited by k900: Apr 21 2009, 12:15 PM

[PandarenStorm]

hmm... Very nice. At first I thought it wasn't all that great. That was until I got to the ultimate... If you could make the first skill a little more unique as well as the second one for that matter... your hero would be AMAZING. Of course, its still better quality now than most of the other heros suggested on this forum. I suggest switching the first ability out for a spell I created. You can call it w/e u want.

It goes something like....
Deals damage (or mana burns if u want I guess) to a single target and stuns all enemies surrounding that target. It's a cool lil nuke thats good and simply but still unique. ONly the target gets damage... only the surrounding units get stunned (or slow if u wanted...).

As for the second ability... I dunno... maybe you just want to put skill #1 into skill slot # 2 and nerf it slightly (in its current form... it is OP with the amount of mana it removes). 250 damage and 125 mana removed would be more balanced and work better IMO.

Overall... I like focal point so much that I will t-up. O yeah... and ur third skill should increase AOE by more than 25 at each level. 20/30/40/50

[marvindoll]

wow...i don't understand much of the focal thingy but if you can provide a test map, it would be awesome...but i'd want this hero implemented. good synergyized skillset. i'd t-up.

[Mauricio Osuna]

Hey! You really have talent for this! From the few heroes i have seen, this is the best!
There are two heroes who can make a good team with her: Azgalor and Displacer Beast (project), all them with land, or space... TERRAIN control, yeah! They manipulate the place where units stand.
She deserves it!

Hey! You really know about hero-making. I need some help, because i don't get much of the World Editor system. See this thing i've done: tryed to create a Space Fel Orc (the one with flamethrower). The model works well, BUT!! acts a lot like Vengeful: he throws a sprite of himself, and it dies when landing!

I'm sure you could help me a little bit, i have more than 20 projects in mind!

[Mauricio Osuna]

(I can't remove my accidental double post)
The ultimate skill works for spells you cast and items, but something like a Howl of Terror (from an ally) or Tidehunter's ulti would work on both circles?

This post has been edited by Mauricio Osuna: Apr 20 2008, 08:44 AM

[Torchic Maniac]

I really like this hero.
Although the first two skills are not that special, the ultimate evolve those skills into something original and powerful. The passive is one of those synergy type skills, but it really balances the concept of the ultimate.
Overall, I really see the potential in this hero already.

I do have a question.

If you cast a spell in the Focal Point area, are effects of the spell are doubled (since the Focal Point is also casting that spell in that area too)? I am NOT saying that this will imbalance the concept. Just curious.


I guess my question is: Should I vote on this now or should I wait until judging (if this reaches that far)?

[PandarenStorm]

i dont get it... our heros are posted at roughly the same time (techincally mine before since i did it last night). And u already have twice the number of views... I just don't get it

[LoreKeeper]

PandarenStorm

Hey - thanks for your input. I'll check your hero out just now - I agree that skills 1 and 2 appear rather la-di-daa, but the Ultimate changes the way these skills work and how you apply them. So the gameplay is changed and original, not the skills themselves.

It would be great if we could make it all completely fresh and original, but alas, there are only so many things that we can manipulate in the game engine. As is, I don't want to overburden the suggestion with too many novelties, since I think the idea stands well for itself as is - and I want to keep it as accessable as possible.

Overall... I like focal point so much that I will t-up. O yeah... and ur third skill should increase AOE by more than 25 at each level. 20/30/40/50

hmmm - I think a total increase of 100 (4 times 25) is quite adequate. The skills eventually have a rather sizeable 325 unit radius AOE. But I'm completely open to balance the hero up or down in playtesting (should she get that far).

PS - the number of views on this hero? Must be coincidence. I don't think I have much clout no'more that people just view and vote based on seeing the name.


marvindoll

I might make a demo of this hero in the "miniDotA" map. But I don't have nearly the amount of time I used to have as a student (since I'm working now), so it would be quite low priority.

Thanks for your support though


Mauricio Osuna

lol at confusion - regarding your Space Fel Orc: you just need to set the appropriate attack model. Sounds like you placed the Space Fel Orc as his own attack model, which is obviously wrong.

Good luck with getting the hang of the WorldEditor - it isn't all that bad, just a tad confusing in the beginning. If you have some programming knowledge, try to learn JASS (the WorldEditor programming language) it helps ALOT in understanding DotA and how to create heroes


Torchic Maniac

Thanks mate

If you cast a spell in the Focal Point area, are effects of the spell are doubled (since the Focal Point is also casting that spell in that area too)? I am NOT saying that this will imbalance the concept. Just curious.

Yes. They *do* double, since Freya is casting it and the Focal is casting it too. That they happen to be very near together is just a happy coincidence. That is also why Skill 1 has such a relatively low damage compared to most AOE nukes.

Vote for the hero now already, that helps her get to Judging in the first place;) I don't have the time I used to have to push ideas as strongly as in the past; so it will take a bit of luck for the hero to get enough support to make it all the way through.

[PandarenStorm]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I thought that it was just by 25. Like a static 25.. not by 25 each time u lvl up skill #3. I misunderstood. I thought it just increased the spells by 25 at lvl 4... might wanna make it clear that it increases the AoE by 25 each time u lvl up the ability.

I would agree that you can only do so much with the limitations of the engine (an armor manipulator would be so cool... but impossible to program unless off of base armor ). But still... my whole damage single unit and stun/slow area is simple and original enough and I think it would work well if the hero... but thats just my opinion. Still think hes great.

[LoreKeeper]

Noted - made the AOE increase more apparent in skill 3

[Kezbane]

if i understand it correctly...
the effect of radiance would also be duplicated at the focal. Also if you were standing at the focal you would then have a double radiance, pretty sick when you combine it with her other aoe abilites

[LoreKeeper]

Unfortunately not - only activated AOE abilities should work. Ofcourse, if IceFrog wants to he can include any AOE abilities, including Radiance and other auras.

But the intention is for abilities that you pay for to be duplicated.

[Torchic Maniac]

Vote for the hero now already, that helps her get to Judging in the first place;) I don't have the time I used to have to push ideas as strongly as in the past; so it will take a bit of luck for the hero to get enough support to make it all the way through.

I completely understand. I'll give you a

[LoreKeeper]

Highly appreciated - let's hope that some more people note the awesome that is the hero

[Endraca]

Interesting hero, though definitely not one a noob like me should play with, t-up though
Wonder what items will go well with her...

[PandarenStorm]

Vote for the hero now already, that helps her get to Judging in the first place;) I don't have the time I used to have to push ideas as strongly as in the past; so it will take a bit of luck for the hero to get enough support to make it all the way through.

I don't think you need to worry about support

and it doesn't look like anyone has pointed this out but I think you should change the model. Looks too much like DP? I'll try to think of other models that would fit the Veil theme and an INT hero.

This post has been edited by PandarenStorm: Apr 22 2008, 03:47 PM

[RockMeSockOffAy]

T-up

[LoreKeeper]

endraca

All heroes are poor in the hands of the inexperienced, don't fret - skill comes with time - the items I'd naturally want on her for this hero are Shiva's Guard and Mekansm. Maybe some local geniuses come up with something even better though.


PandarenStorm

Not really - she must be female, since the hero is a bit of a tribute to 2 friends of mine; and there aren't many alternative models that are female and fit the profile.

Given that the model is very white, it can easily be shaded using the tinting scheme in Warcraft to a more obviously different color. Though I think this particular model would still be fine in this form too.


RockMeSockOffAy

Appreciated - tell your friends too

[kajak]

I think you're completely on the right track. While all the skills are not unique, the synergy makes for a completely new and interesting hero.

The only problem I have is this... She is naturally kinda squishy to offset her high powered aoe damage. And her ability to quickly do a lot of damage in an area will keep her useful through the whole game. But, if you grabbed a shiva, which almost seems intended, and popped a heart on her.... then the last part of Focal point would be incredibly broken.

Collapsing the focal point deals 100 damage to all enemy units in range and she gets all damage back as health and mana?

Think about it...big enemy push rushes towards your base..you prep by popping a focal point down. kk

They get there everyone does their thing, you do massive aoe damage. They come after you, you drop the focal point, stunning them all and gaining back nearly 500 health and mana (not counting resistances), immediately drop another focal point and continue to spam and possibly collapse the next one again... Lol... It's insane

But really all I'm saying is you should probably take out the health and mana back part...the damage on collapse and the stun is fine....but the health and mana make her unsquishy which can lead to her being broken with the right item set (especially duel casted mech if it would work.)

Other than that small part complete t-up cause the playstyle would just be too fun.

[jetcanones]

nice hero.. t-up