I miss my blood mage protagonists. I was, and still am, disappointed that blood magic didn't return as a spec for DAI, even though I kind of understand why, given the types of characters we have in this game.
A rumor reached my ear that the next Dragon Age could possibly take place in...
Sounds like the perfect place for a blood mage spec to me.
Make it badass, Bioware!
It'll probably depend on the role of the next protagonist. If it's another "Hawke" like role or story, Blood Magic is more than plausible.
If it's another "Inquisitor" role, I doubt it. Leading armies/nations as a Blood Mage is just...wrong. It always made sense for developers to scrap Blood Magic from Inquisition (for the Inquisitor's use, at least).
It'll probably depend on the role of the next protagonist. If it's another "Hawke" like role or story, Blood Magic is more than plausible.
If it's another "Inquisitor" role, I doubt it. Leading armies/nations as a Blood Mage is just...wrong. It always made sense for developers to scrap Blood Magic from Inquisition (for the Inquisitor's use, at least).
Meh. Scrapping Blood Magic altogether seemed like a cop-out to me.
It sounds like the Developers could have put in Blood Magic as a specialization, but just didn't want to for some reason like they did with dual-wielding warriors.
I supported the removal of blood magic for the reasons I laid out here.
http://forum.bioware...ied-blood-magic
I would support its return only if they were able to do it justice without screwing over the rest of the fanbase, which basically equates to "never."
Make it harder to learn, certainly. But otherwise, I thought that the gameplay presentation of Blood Magic was good and powerful without being too OP (it could be op in Origins with the right spell combination.)
Lifeforce to power spells? Check
Control others? Check
Take others lifeforce to enhance your own? Check
Massive damage applied straight to the blood? Check.
And sure, having the Inquisitor as a Blood Mage would raise a lot of warning lights and reactions. But what's wrong with that? In fact, it may be an opportunity that this series really needs. A chance to grey the otherwise mostly black/white issue of blood magic and really show that it can be a force for good when the Herald of Andraste is using it for good.
Imagine if a Blood Mage Inquisitor is confronted by skeptical Chantry-loyal individuals. On one hand, they see blood magic as evil. And yet, the Inquisitor just saved them with this magic and is also apparently divinely anointed by the christ-figure of their religion. If Andraste is giving her blessing to a blood mage, then what does that really mean? Does this mean that Andraste does not necessarily condemn blood magic, but rather how it's used?
Of course, this is theoretical. But removing a Blood magic specialization removes a great opportunity for a challenge to both the status quo and to the PC.
I am in favor of returning the Blood Magic specialization for player characters.
It added a truly 'evil' possibility that is lost without it.
After all, the Reaver specialization remains open to warriors. Not quite the same I suppose, but in Origins you had to do something really evil to become one.
This. It always struck me as odd how no one, not even companions, in Origins commented on your use of Blood Magic.I would be pleased if they figured out how to bring it back, it was fun being a naughty blood mage and it would be even more fun if npcs noticed you were using blood magic. What is the point of being bad if nobody notices?
In Awakenings if Anders is given the blood mage spec he does comment and that which I thought was a nice touch.This. It always struck me as odd how no one, not even companions, in Origins commented on your use of Blood Magic.
As I recall though......the Devs did originally plan to have Wynne comment on it during the circle mission, but for some reason it was cut.
It was cut because it resulted in templars and Irving turning against you, leaving you with no circle allies in the final battle. Which would go against the concept of the final battle and how you need every single person, animal, or rock spirit you could get.
But I think it should be brought back.
I also think Darkspawn magic should be brought back. I think having this as a specialization would also be good. It may require that the playable character become a Grey Warden first.
I personally figured that a separate mechanic for blood magic could work. That could perhaps work it into the story more directly. Maybe like a less intrusive version of the spirit eater mechanic from Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer.
I supported the removal of blood magic for the reasons I laid out here.
http://forum.bioware...ied-blood-magic
I would support its return only if they were able to do it justice without screwing over the rest of the fanbase, which basically equates to "never."
These are fair points to raise, but I see no reason why it can't be implemented into the game, regardless. You could kill Leliana in Origins and she's your advisor now... so someone needs to explain to me why simple plot devices can't be used here to bring it back.
I think your comment on it being contradictory to the belief's of companions is the most important here. As I stated in my OP, I can understand why they chose not to put it in with Inquisition.
Your point on #3 is kind of silly. Yes they can "see dreams" in lore, but in actual gameplay you wouldn't need to implement this. Don't forget Merrill was a player-companion blood mage and she neither possessed the minds of others, nor carried blood slaves in tow.
It should never have been allowed as a player specialization.
I'm glad they took it out, and I hope it never returns.
Instead of trolling, why don't you explain why you don't want to see it return? Otherwise just move on to a different thread.
Make it harder to learn, certainly. But otherwise, I thought that the gameplay presentation of Blood Magic was good and powerful without being too OP (it could be op in Origins with the right spell combination.)
Lifeforce to power spells? Check
Control others? Check
Take others lifeforce to enhance your own? Check
Massive damage applied straight to the blood? Check.
And sure, having the Inquisitor as a Blood Mage would raise a lot of warning lights and reactions. But what's wrong with that? In fact, it may be an opportunity that this series really needs. A chance to grey the otherwise mostly black/white issue of blood magic and really show that it can be a force for good when the Herald of Andraste is using it for good.
Imagine if a Blood Mage Inquisitor is confronted by skeptical Chantry-loyal individuals. On one hand, they see blood magic as evil. And yet, the Inquisitor just saved them with this magic and is also apparently divinely anointed by the christ-figure of their religion. If Andraste is giving her blessing to a blood mage, then what does that really mean? Does this mean that Andraste does not necessarily condemn blood magic, but rather how it's used?
Of course, this is theoretical. But removing a Blood magic specialization removes a great opportunity for a challenge to both the status quo and to the PC.
This is kind of my point: on one had, I understand that they took it out because it would so strongly conflict with other people's opinions... but on the other hand, you are the only one who can close the breach--maybe everyone just learns to deal with it.
I think people argue that this specialization requires more reactivity than other specs, but I disagree. I think all specs should have some reactivity, just make the blood magic much less receptive. The only reaction you got in this game were a couple lines of dialogue. I think in the next game--regardless of whether or not blood magic is included--you should at least get a couple cutscenes mentioning your spec.
I wish for it to come back, although it presents a problem with the current way health is managed... If you can't regenerate health the specialization would either require some sort of special healing or spells with massive damage that make worth all the health you're spending.
Although I agree that it should be kept very hard to get, like in Origins it can only be obtained by making the deal with the Desire demon, it wouldn't make sense for the knowledge to be found just about anywhere.
Also, it is not blood magic until you use someone else's blood, so there shouldn't be any stigma to it. xD
It might make a return, assuming they don't force us to play a Lamequisitor, leader of the Lamequisition-type character.
Tevinter would be a perfect setting to bring back the Warden-type character, 'cause unlike in other parts of Thedas, people in Tevinter probably wouldn't chastise you as much.
But you never know. It's probably just as likely we'll end up playing some mary-sue reformist who wants hugs and peace for all of Tevinter (without the use of blood magic, of course.)
I wish for it to come back, although it presents a problem with the current way health is managed... If you can't regenerate health the specialization would either require some sort of special healing or spells with massive damage that make worth all the health you're spending.
Although I agree that it should be kept very hard to get, like in Origins it can only be obtained by making the deal with the Desire demon, it wouldn't make sense for the knowledge to be found just about anywhere.
Also, it is not blood magic until you use someone else's blood, so there shouldn't be any stigma to it. xD
I don't think it should be hard to get, honestly. Because that will translate into a 3 hour fetch quest. Just let me learn the spec from a desire demon (aka, short quest), or from a companion w/ a blood mage spec.
I've thought a lot about blood magic with the current healing system and i don't see why it would present a problem. IN FACT it should be easier than ever to implement because there are no healing spells (except resurgance). Spells like hemorrhage would sap a certain percentage of your health, but might not be capable of activating underneath a certain health threshold, like mana. Also spells like DA: II's grave robber would be perfect for this game, with a bit of damage resistance thrown in to make it balanced.
Plus imagine the focus ability. I picture an ability that hemorrhages (damages) enemies in a large AOE and transfers that into health regen or damage resistance.
EDIT: In terms of the current battle system, lemme put it like this:
-We can already "assume control" over enemies with confusion grenade.
-There are no healing spells to interfere with blood magic mechanics.
-Heal on hit and heal on kill are already cornerstone to this system, perfect for blood magic
-Death siphon more or less acts the same way
-Reaver already looses health with certain abilities, and regains it with others (like rampage)
-Mana could still be used by a blood mage in this combat system by using non-blood magic spells
-Blood magic itself would cost a portion of health in exchange for massive damage. It would have to be a big fraction of health to cast, to make it more fair.
But you never know. It's probably just as likely we'll end up playing some mary-sue reformist who wants hugs and peace for all of Tevinter (without the use of blood magic, of course.)
God I hope not.
If the game really is taking place in Tevinter it would be a tragic waste not to resurrect the spec, imo.
I don't think you can reconcile blood magic lore with blood magic gameplay. They're already pushing it with no magical healing. An example is demon summoning and binding; every blood mage you fight in DA seems to have their own personal band of demon bodyguards, but no PC or companion bloodmage does or can. It's grating and annoying that that's the case.
If they can't reconcile lore and gameplay, I'd rather they didn't bother. Maybe bring back Shapeshifter instead, I loved that spec (for the lore, not the gameplay).
Blood magic is a kind of magic that needs to be integrated into non-combat gameplay in order to be believable, like it did in the scene with Idunna in DA2. As just another combat specialization it's superfluous. You'd need scenes that illustrate what makes blood magic special, like this:
You are in a plot-critical situation that could result in a difficult fight. You have the option to use blood magic for better odds, for instance by taking over a number of opponents or making the enemy leader order the retreat. In order to do that, you can either use your own blood and start the fight - if there will still be one - at 20% health (10% on hard or nightmare, 50% on casual), or sacrifice one of your companions. Fitting story consequences for either course of action should be implemented.
The problem when implementing such things, however, is that non-bloodmages don't have that option, which means a lot of resources will have to be spent in order to cater to a small minority of players - the subset of mage players who want to use blood magic.
So here's what I'd like to see as a solution: if the protagonist is a mage, they know blood magic by default. You have the option to never use it, but you do have the knowledge and it can always figure into any encounters written for you if you're a mage. You could even extend this to other classes: the protagonist is mageborn by default, only if you choose another class, you never learned anything of magic beyond basic control - and the basics of blood magic. This setup would be rather appropriate for a story set in Tevinter.
While I understand that the Inquisitor being a blood mage probably wouldn't have boded well for them... Is being a Necromancer THAT much better?
"Oh hey guys, want me to hex you up, blow up your corpse and control your leftover spirit?"
"Yeah sure! As long as you don't touch my blood!"
*everyone laughs*
I'd be content with Blood Mages returning as enemies, because they're nowhere to be found in DA:I.
Despite the fact, that we're fighting Tevinter supremacists.
However, if the fourth game takes place in Minrathous or Tevinter in general, bringing it back as specialization is a good idea. Doubtful it would cause panic among other Tevinters.
I like this idea. Sort of like the werewolf and vampire abilities in Skyrim were separate from magic and shouts. This would be fun. Maybe connected to race or class but still a separate thing.I personally figured that a separate mechanic for blood magic could work. That could perhaps work it into the story more directly. Maybe like a less intrusive version of the spirit eater mechanic from Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer.
There is a Tevinter blood mage on the Storm Coast.I'd be content with Blood Mages returning as enemies, because they're nowhere to be found in DA:I.
Other than lifting up in the air and shaking a bit, the other blood mage spells where you sucked away the life of your compatriots in combat never earned you any scorn, negative comments or blowback, so while I am open to having that specialization make a welcome return; Bioware really needs to improve the way it is implemented.
Despite some franchise dialogue that suggests that select aspects of this magic is simply misunderstood, I would like to have the option to go fully bad to the bone with blood magic. Merrill was the most invested blood mage that we've been given access too and she retained her sweet personality. Incongruity like that needs to be dropped!
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