Originally Posted by
Explorer
Both existing hero classes are melee today. That doesn't feel quite ok.
This concept is an attempt to draw the shapes to discover a rather unique spellcaster. What makes difference between caster classes? Firstly, the forces they call upon. Secondly, the methods they use.
By methods they are divided into "askers" and "demanders".
Askers are: Priests, shamans, druids, monks (mist), paladins.
Demanders are: warlocks, mages, DK, DH.
I think no special explanation is needed here.
By sources I mean mostly schools of magics preferred.
So, what is a Sorcerer? From afar sorcerers can be mistaken for mages, but this is not the case. As a general class, they are tending to be unique yet tending to dps. Mages are known for discipline and direct effort of controlling energies by formulas of the arcane, but sorcerers think more widely. As Azeroth is awakening, they see it as a great field of opportunity. They are a hero class, so they were all proficient spellcasters one day before turned to some new methods. Sorcerers rely on finding and sensing torrents of magical energies and become conduits for them, yet balancing this raw channeling with control.
Sorcerers wear cloth. DPS is their role, but they also have limited healing and buffs. Runemasters can off-tank for brief periods.
Specs are:
1. Conjuror. This is the most "raw" and powerful yet unrefined spec. They are experts on sensing ley lines and torrents of magic, combining them into devastating streams or healing allies if occasion allows. They rain AoE and direct magic of all elements, arcane, shadow and fel - as well as spirit, nature or holy.
The key mechanic is Magic Sensitivity: you will have a sub-ability bar that varies both with time by random amount and with using specific spells. Advanced magic and talents open up ability to see torrents not just around you, but your enemies as well. E.g. enemy has water torrent active, you rain living fire on him and he gets tons of damage. As you use elemental or nature magic, is wears out while arcane, spirit, holy etc become more efficient. When you use "good" magic, your shadow and fel spells grow more potent, and vice versa. The ultimate expession of the spec is combining several most potent torrents into one most devastating attack. If you like to play DotA and Invoker is you preferred choice, then you get the idea of the Conjuror.
2. Runemaster. This is a melee spec. More organized version of the class. They cover their bodies with runes, both offensive or defensive. Runes empower their attack to deal arcing lightning damage, waves of fire, allow to strike and run at great speed, regenerate faster, place "trap runes" that encase enemies in ice, put healing absorb or shock with lightning. Ultimate expression of this spec is freezing entire enemy army by luring them into a rune and then smash them with thunder strike, or empower entire army, buffing and revitalising them.
3. Wizard. The most complicated type of Sorcerer. Wizards use a lot of artifatcs like amulets, scrolls, wands, bracelets and so on. They not just channel magic directly like conjurors or shape it like Runemasters, they create myriads of ways to contain these energies. They summon adds like genies or golems that fight for them, use magic words to channel animate books, scrolls or weapons (like Kael'thas's 2nd phase), or lock potent spells charged into amulets or wands as powerful as "avada kedavra" or "finger of death", throw a skull charged with doomfire or eat a healing mango. However, even when you are out of all your tricks and artifacts as a Wizard, you are still far from being harmless. Wizard can fire a discharge of energy from his fingertips to push enemy back and stun him while drawing a magical circle using some complicated formulas to invoke a powerful tornado of pure arcane energy.
So, this is a pure concept for now. If you like it a bit, throw your ideas in.