Ki Manipulation Signature Technique

Problems and Ideas
1

Signature Techniques

A short time after you start playing, you will learn how to create your own ki technique. After reaching certain powerlevels and training under a master, you will earn new levels. Each level has a variety of differences. Some may only increase the effectiveness of your new technique, while others will allow you to add special effects.

Ki Manipulation Signature Technique

  • Level 1: 10% damage, 1% cost
  • Level 2: 11% damage, 2% cost
  • Level 3: 12% damage, 3% cost (+1 special ability)
  • Level 4: 14% damage, 4% cost
  • Level 5: 16% damage, 5% cost (+1 special ability)
  • Level 6: 18% damage, 6% cost
  • Level 7: 20% damage, 8% cost
  • Level 8: 23% damage, 10% cost (+1 special ability)
  • Level 9: 26% damage, 12% cost
  • Level 10: 30% damage, 14% cost (+1 special ability)

Special Abilities and Costs

  • 1 Turn Stun On Hit: -10% damage (if your custom technique does not do at least 10% damage, then you cannot choose this ability; can only be chosen once; cannot be stacked with two turn stun).
  • 2 Turn Stun On Hit: -20% damage (if your custom technique does not do at least 30% damage, then you cannot choose this ability; can only be chosen once; cannot be stacked with one turn stun).
  • Guaranteed Hit: -10% damage (if your custom technique does not do at least 15% damage then you cannot choose this ability; may not get Guard Crush).
  • Guard Crush (unblockable): +4% to cost
  • -1% Cost: -2% from damage
  • Bleed: 3% of target’s base powerlevel in damage for the next 4 turns, +3% cost
  • Multi-hit: Three targets, 1/3 damage per target, +5% cost
  • Piercing: +4% cost
  • Available at level 5 and higher
    • +1% Damage (Up to +10%): +0.5% Energy Cost
    • +1% Damage (Up to +10%): Opponent gets +1.5% dodge for every one point added to damage (cannot be stacked with Guaranteed Hit; if opponent has a 0% chance to dodge, this adds to it; can be stacked with opponent’s Aikido stance).

The above is the original from the Planet Mado ‘Basic Techniques’ page.
I don’t dislike how its set up currently, but I would like to talk about how much the Ki Manipulation Signature Technique ends up Costing over time.

I personally think the Cost is waaay too high compared to what other abilities can do in the game. I don’t want to give a bunch of them away, but as you play, you’ll see just how more effective and efficient they are.

I propose some way in game to lower the Cost for your Ki Manipulation Signature Technique by half of its final cost after modifications.
It could be a ‘Use it more and get familiar using it’ method, or a ‘New Game Plus train with Masters past level 10’ method.

What ideas do you guys have?..or do you think its in a good spot?

( Mind you, I think the Ki Healing Signature Technique is actually in a decent spot, this is only about the Ki Manipulation Signature Technique )

2

What are some of your favorite combinations? I think the sig attacks are all about the abilities, not really the damage. The vast majority of moves in the game are simply damage and cost, nothing special. The sig attacks to me were always about having a move you use in specific situations. I also think they have always been great for NPC’s to use unique moves (especially if there is a group you’re fighting, because a lot of the sig attacks work best when fighting together) but also not have to risk the players stealing the moves with adv scouters.

Here’s one of my favorites!
Level 3 ability: +10% damage, +5% cost
Level 5 ability: Don’t take anything here (some options I’ll get to later though)
Level 8 ability: 2-turn stun on hit
Level 10 ability: -20% damage, -10% cost
Final sig: 0% damage, 2-turn stun on hit, 9% cost.

Alternative options I like are Ability level 5 take multi-hit, now you can hit up to 3 targets for 2-turn stun, bringing your cost from 9% to 14%. The other decent option for this one I like is Guard Crush, that way they can’t reduce your stun effectiveness, bringing your cost from 9% to 13%. Bleed isn’t bad either, while they are stunned you are bleeding them, bring cost from 9% to 12%.

3

Yeah, I tend to agree that costs may be too high. I vaguely remember going through all those number back in '09 and we were trying to be careful because we didn’t want the Signature Technique to trump all the regular damaging Ki attacks. It was at the same time we changed the mechanics for how Stun works.

I’d be interested in hearing how any other players evolved their Signature Technique and whether they end up using it fairly regularly or not at all.

1 Like