Why does circle/pentagram completely shield against all demesne-effects for Hartstone (squirrels, swarm, lightning, etc.) yet does nothing to shield against the Aquamancer/Geomancer demesne? Seems a bit unfair to me.

Here come's a geomancer who will complain about the effects of a hartstone demense and a Aquamancer will say nothing. the cycle will continue!

A quick test of a random geomancy skill indicated that pentagram actually does offer protection against geomancers.

Perhaps a test should be done with the Aquamancer demesne too.

Aquamancer demesne some effects go through shield, like needlerain I think it is

Poison gas still goes throuhg pentagram as does almost every Aquamancer skill.

Gas and water do tend to go past many physical barriers. I mean, if the shield was airtight you would die....hmm that's an idea *makes a few tweaks* haha

Because realism has always been the coder's main concern, of course

Imma cry if someone says Hartstone needs to be upgraded.

Maybe this slight imbalance with the shield thing is supposed to balance out the overall strength of demesnes, of which Hartstone is the strongest by far.

All demesnes are equal, some demesnes are more equal than others (!)

Well, by that logic, Geomancers shouldn't be touched at all. But I think Buho's explanation is most fitting.

Acorns, pollen, vines, branches, will be stopped by a solid shield. As will a geomancer's stones, etc. But things like poison gas don't. Because it is a very, very small particle infused in the air, and thus cannot be stopped by a shield.

I say we need gas masks. Those things are kinky anyway.

How the hell is a gas mask kinky?

Pollen really should be in the same category as gas.

How does a magic barrier filter out pollen or spores?

Just because you have been slain by novice Hartstone (probably without a demesne) doesn't mean they are overpowered. For the record, I really would like any decent combat to make a logical, well founded argument as to why Hartstone or Aquamancers are stronger than Geomancers with the recent changes. Geomancers now get stun, restricted movement (which works all too well for chasm) on top of poison gas (which is far more powerful than most people realize).

Uhh.. because its impossible to get out of Aquamancer's demesne.

If a Hartstone, with gyfu or even cen fused, and slings one of those runes and then saps you, you are pretty much dead.

Geb is a damn good Aquamancer. I fought him for over an hour the other month and I got out easy. The magic skill is tumble. Even if they waste the power to pull you back, you can just tumble right out again. And the Hartstone demesne is the easiest to get out of... rubble is far nastier and let's not even start on sap which costs 8p when you have chasm which costs 3p.

I hate tumble.

I have tumble, and he was able to demesne summon me right back to him before I got out. I don't ahve 3 resistanes, I only have one.

So keep tumbling. Pah. He cannot waste that much power forever.