The Circuits Were Cool, But I Would Have Changed the Elemental System

[Akane]

I generally like the Circuit system as it is in CrossCode, but for awhile I've been thinking about the beginning of the game, the very beginning, where we play as a character who not only used the fire element to her advantage but her dialog made it seem as though she specialized in it. Yet later on we find out that the proper use of the elemental powers is simply to switch between them constantly, sometimes several times in one fight. Now I already like the elemental system the way it is, where we get one circuit for each individual element instead of say... having circuit points for the neutral element but then all four of our elemental circuits share one pool of points. However it would have been cool if there was a way to pick out our favorite element and actively invest in it to make it our prime element that we chose to specialize in. The idea I just came up with is that the elemental circuits would have a key difference from neutral ones, where each skill was listed as "active" or "passive". A passive skill would usually be a stat booster that was constantly active even while we were in a different elemental state, but an active skill was either a power we could only use while having that element turned on or a stat buffer of the same nature. Stat buffers that required us to be in an elemental state to be turned on would be considerably more powerful than ones that could work regardless.

So with the elemental circuits they usually seem to split off into three major paths. So with this idea in mind, the middle path would be an almost 50/50 mix of active and passive circuits, while the two other paths specialized in active ones or passive ones almost exclusively. So if you wanted to make something your prime element, you could spend far more points on the active branch and, assuming you were usually in that elemental state, you would be more powerful than if you had focused your stat on passive skills. But you'd also have to keep in mind things like elemental overload, enemy elemental resistance, and remembering to switch back to your prime element after solving puzzles with other elements. You could theorically still play it safe and invest mostly in passive skills for all 4 elements, or live dangerously and invest in active skills for all of them, it would be up to you. But you would have the option to let one element shine above the others if you so choose.

Also along these lines, the active circuits could have a new type of circuit that activates or grows stronger over time based off how long we can consecutively stay in that element without switching or overloading. A simple example would be a circuit that increases our chance to inflict burn damage by 1% per every second we stay in heat mode, eventually maxing out at 100% and ensuring us the power to inflict burn damage so long as we stay in the heat mode actively.

[Rayder]

I read this post twice and still don't understand what you mean.

I think the most important thing to improve on with the circuit system is streaming-lining, not more complication.

[Akane]

Originally posted by Thrasher:

I read this post twice and still don't understand what you mean.

I think the most important thing to improve on with the circuit system is streaming-lining, not more complication.

It's basically an idea of how you could make one element more powerful IF you were willing to actively commit to staying in that element almost all the time. It could give you the chance to define your elemental strength. Does that make sense?

[Rayder]

Yes, but the designers want you to constantly switch, because that mixes things up and keeps combat interesting and puzzle-like. Committing to a build feels like something you do in a grindy arpg like Diablo.

[Akane]

Originally posted by Thrasher:

Yes, but the designers want you to constantly switch, because that mixes things up and keeps combat interesting and puzzle-like. Committing to a build feels like something you do in a grindy arpg like Diablo.

But in a real MMORPG isn't it common for players to commit to a build? We already commit to a build with the Circuits, this would just be a build that gives you the option to capitalize on a single element of your choosing. Anyway I am going to sleep for tonight but it'd be fun to debate with you tomorrow if you want to leave a response for later.

[Rayder]

it's not a real mmorpg. The conceit of the story is that it's set in a game called CrossWorlds. This is a similar setting to things like SAO and .Hack.

The game itself is a puzzle-heavy single player rpg. The circuit system is already way beyond the complexity of any of the games that this game is inspired by: Zelda, Secret of mana, Terranigma. I feel it serves its purpose of making combat puzzle-like and making you fight tactically rather than with spam.

[BROLY 32]

We play as a Spheromancer, it's the only class that doesn't specialize in an element according to the lore since we follow the virtue of Balance.
Your idea is cool, but it's already kind of in the game through the other classes. If you wanted to specialize in Crossworlds, you'd pick one of the other classes. But in the end, it's a solo game and we play as a Jack of all trades, it's for the best imo ^^

[Akane]

Originally posted by BROLY 32:

We play as a Spheromancer, it's the only class that doesn't specialize in an element according to the lore since we follow the virtue of Balance.
Your idea is cool, but it's already kind of in the game through the other classes. If you wanted to specialize in Crossworlds, you'd pick one of the other classes. But in the end, it's a solo game and we play as a Jack of all trades, it's for the best imo ^^

I'm awake! M'kay that makes sense. Still I just wish I could have specialized in my ice powers. I miss being an ice wizard sometimes lol

[m662]

No idea if you already know this but 50% of the neutral circuit synergies with the element you have active. If you want to roleplay as a ice mage, wizard just only invest points in ice related skills. And only use the elements when it is required for the puzzles.

Or you could start making edits into the associated .json file.
\Steam\steamapps\common\CrossCode\assets\data\skilltree.json

I am sure eventually we will see these things pop-up as mods for download. how ever in case your going to edit it yourself, for the sake of the story first complete it because you can potentially deadlock yourself with edited files.

[Seraphita]

Originally posted by m662:

I am sure eventually we will see these things pop-up as mods for download. how ever in case your going to edit it yourself, for the sake of the story first complete it because you can potentially deadlock yourself with edited files.

I don't really think they will be shared as mods. It might break the game in bad ways and I do not think anyone wants that. Mods are a little hard to share when it comes to Crosscode but it exists.

Originally posted by Akane:

I'm awake! M'kay that makes sense. Still I just wish I could have specialized in my ice powers. I miss being an ice wizard sometimes lol

Btw, Akane. You say that it makes sense but they said the exact same thing as I said before. It's the fact that it's a solo game that it wouldn't make sense to specialize in one element because then you would have to face enemies resistant to your element and you would HATE it badly.

If the game allowed for multiple classes gameplay or if it was an actual MMO, I'd say yes. :3