Eater of the Dead

[NTJedi]

quantum_mechani said:
That is a highly contested title, frankly it doesn't even come close.

Considering that it's 50 astral gems for one creature with low magic resistance that turns independent once it's moderately strong and requires 4 astral and 4 death just to cast the spell definitely places it near the top of worst spells. The spell is not only difficult to cast, but the creature is not even worth 8 astral.

Based on your unstable statement... please enlighten us on the MANY spells you feel are greatly worse.

[ologm]

Could you replace all eater of the death forms by that of another creature. Perhaps change him into a big demonic dragon.

[Sindai]

It should be pretty much the biggest, most regenerative creature in the whole game. If they're going to keep the cost and the turns-indep mechanic it should pretty much start with the stats of its largest form and go up from there.

[Endoperez]

Give examples. They mightn't be that good at balancing, but I've found that they listen to well-argued points. More protection? More regeneration? Few life-draining attacks strong enough to kill most humans?

[Nerfix]

It's the risk associated with it.

[Endoperez]

Not according to the comments here.

[quantum_mechani]

NTJedi said:

Considering that it's 50 astral gems for one creature with low magic resistance that turns independent once it's moderately strong and requires 4 astral and 4 death just to cast the spell definitely places it near the top of worst spells. The spell is not only difficult to cast, but the creature is not even worth 8 astral.

Based on your unstable statement... please enlighten us on the MANY spells you feel are greatly worse.

Ok, if you like...

Lets start with Wrath of the Sea. 70 gems and I can tell you, I'd take an eater of the dead instead in all but the most unlikely circumstances.

Then there are spells like Hand of Dust, when was the last time you saw it cast, let alone accomplish anything?

Or there is poor Curse of Stones, easily negated weak effect that hits both you and the enemy, and even costs gems.

Or take a look at arcane domination, scarcely easier to cast than master enslave, but you could play 10000 games without running into a situation where it would be more advantageous to cast.

And good luck finding a situation to use Blood Heal or Pain Transfer, by the time you need it your blood slaves are long dead.

I could conceive of using the eater of the dead, in a situation without access to any other summons using astrals. Not to say it's not very weak for the cost though, I wholeheartedly agree it needs a boost.

[FrankTrollman]

Just checking, it turns independent. Like, once, right? Does it do that during a battle or afterwards?

Regardless, if you were to have say, an astral/death mage on hand to take control of it, wouldn't you keep it forever?

-Frank

[Nerfix]

Thou shal not mock Hand of Dust for I have had a kitted ninja be killed by the Hand of Dust of an Attendant of the Dead.

[quantum_mechani]

Nerfix said:
Thou shal not mock Hand of Dust for I have had a kitted ninja be killed by the Hand of Dust of an Attendant of the Dead.

Heh, yeah, assassinations are funny things... I have seen such things as Fists of Iron and Sleep Touch come through in on rare occations too.

Still, such things are pretty rare (particularly for a specific spell) and are unlikely to have the same impact on a game as being able to spend astrals on eater of the dead vs. if you had no other astral summons.