Maybe a cool down or random chance to automatically execute such attacks would be more appropriate. A cool down is less easily gamed than stam costs (with total refresh pots, that is). Random chance better simulates the chaotic frenzy of battle and finding a lucky opening in the enemy's defense.
Just a few days ago I sent a note to Telamon because I was reading on the Broadsword UO site and noticed that the success of parry was based on dexterity. The more dex you have, the more successful your chance of parry. This is a number that can be easily tweaked and adjusted. So let's say at GM you have a flat 25% chance to parry and this increases by 1% per 10 points of dex, maxing out at 35% chance to parry. Why not simply adjust this number to 1.5% or something of that nature? Then the dexxers benefit the most from having parry while not giving other templates too much power.
Have you ever played against the Parry/Scribe flag runners in CTF? Parry only needs a buff PVM for a different option other fielding a tamer.
Mirror shield that reflects some magic, will break real easy if a weapons weapon hits it and not give any good armor against dexxors. High dex needed to be able to parry.
Absolutely no impact to pvp. Discussions will be forever quagmired if you are proposing serious PvP changes. Yes to magic reflection/absorb. Yes to firebreath/absorb. These are two big reasons why dexxers cannot compete in PvM.
It's fairly simple but I believe at some point parrying gave you a slight defensive bonus when using a two-handed weapon. I don't see any reason not to have that functionality. It wouldn't be dramatic but might inspire a few warriors looking to fill that last skill spot that wouldn't choose parrying otherwise due to the bonuses two-handed weapons offer.
However this pans out, I absolutely demand that the ability to parry with a fishing pole not be altered for the worse in any way. * throws gauntlet down on the table *
I do not like the idea of giving abilities pvm abilities that do not apply to pvp. either apply to both or redesign
Normally, I would agree, but when it comes to PvP changes, you just will not get anything close to a common consensus. People will think roach mages are coming, some will love it, some will hate it, nothing will get done because of the divide.
I hate to bring it up, but look at wow and the absolute mess they made of the game when they did it, it creates confusion for players and a sense of waste of points on their character. They are constantly tweaking their systems to try and make it work while the player base is telling them it won't and they don't like it. It seems to be one of those things that looks good on paper but when implemented doesn't really work. I am a parry/ macer I would LOVE to see parry buffed, but I think there are better ways than separating the game into 2 facets, I just feel the Trammel mindset at work here.
I do like the idea of slayer shi I do like the idea of slayer shields as they put another item into the economy, give a greater sense of risk vs reward, and they address the issue of enhancing melee templates in pve without funny mechanics that confuse players. Really cool idea
Chaos and Order shields could do something special too. Something that would promote more chaos vs order, After the patch Factions can go Chaos and Order as well.