Didn't really understand all of this. Like hte first part. or the first two parts actually. Saplings are chopable. One chop with a waraxe (or whatever the damage type is). Chop is a generic skill so mages don't need one to destroy saplings. But other than that I've always said sapling is way better anyways. It doesn't actually need a huge nerf, just shouldn't require so many more things to be just as easy as terrain is to break with reality check. The biggest differences I see is that not every carries an axe, which some might say is just the fault of the combatant. I mean how many carry disruption scrolls anymore? Maybe those with magic tomes.

Anyways, here are the differences I see in the skills so that they are both just as easy to get around.
Requires a damage axe

Hrm. As I'm writing this, this is really the only difference I can see. I was going to say the skillset of environment for chop is so useless, but I've just noticed chop is two skills below tumble so you get it on the way regardless. Illusions is actually after thirdeye but thirdeye is supposed to only be adept so it might cost less to get illusions (realitycheckin) in discernment. Balance times are fairly similar. Mulching a sapling takes balance as does chopping. I don't know how fast terraining is or what it consumes. I mean you have to switch weapons, but that's not hard at all and you can still force(whatever) without wielding a staff/cudgel.

What is this sapling nerf anyways? I like saplings more than terrain, but most people don't carry an axe.

A problem I see with it is most classes don't carry an axe, and to wield a waraxe you need two hands free. This means everyone save an AL has to unwield what they normally use for combat to handle a sapling. If you are in group combat and are trying to chop a tree down, your offense is now limited longer than simply using reality check. (At least for a non AL warrior). You also have the fact that the non warrior classes would have to remove their shields as well, also limiting their defense while waiting for a tree to fall. And of course there are some races that I don't even think 1 chop of a waraxe will go through the sapling. It could take 2 maybe 3 but most likely 2.

Thats what I see as a little problematic for saplings vs illusory terrain. I could simply realitycheck while having all my offense and defense hindered only by balance(or equilibrium cant remember which right now), which seems a bit nicer.

Terrain can also be dispelled by bards, which communes have.

Druids have a passive ability and an active ability (that also stuns) that knocks people into trees where they can't chop. Mages have passive stun, but other than that nothing is stopping a realitycheck.

Requires you to wield an axe, thus unwielding your weapon and shield.

Realitycheck requires:

The skill

Consciousness

Wait, Bianca, are you trying to nerf or improve realitycheck?

I'm just comparing chop to realitycheck.

ohhh. Yeah, chop is awful. Mulch is fun though, it's why I went druid

Hmm. The first comment I'm not sure what you're trying to say. Dispelling is not 100% from what I've heard (what people have said in the forums) So realitycheck everyone can do regardless and it's 100% effective. Everyone has active abilities to prevent chopping/realitycheck. And knocking people into trees doesn't stun. They can instantly climb down unlike having to wait out a stun from mages or having to fix broken legs and standing. Difference is small, but the point is mostly that your point isn't really a big point. Unwielding and rewielding takes one alias to do in a split second.

Really only makes a difference in choke cause that skill is full of awesomeness.

But like I said, not everyone carries an axe. Not everyone carries disruption scrolls. People are just lazy and we're pampered about it. Though saplings are strong against weak axes for sure and can require 2-3 hits if not a waraxe. Whatever axe Shikha uses chops saplings in 1, so find out what the damage is on that and you'll know what you need.

Still could use a small nerf like making any axe able to chop saplings in 1 hit.

We've tried this any number of times now and this is how it's SUPPOSED to work outside of natural forest. Doesn't seem like it is, though. Anyhow. It's up (again).

Which would then make that single-handed axe pattern actually useful for a change.

Theres a one handed axe? O_o And can axelords use em?

There are one handed axes in the BLADES forging type, along with shortswords and daggers. So if you're thinking of doing Axelord afflictions while wielding two axes as strong as normal one handed weapons, no. I'm not even sure if you can do axelord afflictions with them.

That wood be cool though.

An axelord with two small hatchets smacking away at people hehe.

Why should you be able to chop saplings from the tree elevation? The sapling simply isn't there for you to chop it.

All warriors can switch to a waraxe with no balance loss whatsoever assuming they have one sheathed.

Why not? As long as they fall to the ground and get hurt when they chop down the tree they're sitting in

This point doesn't count, because if you don't want to have an AL around to chop saplings then we shouldn't need a bard to dispel illusions

wrong. Axelord or no axelord, you still have to have an axe and the skill to chop. Bards don't need realitycheck to dispel. Communes have two outs for terrain/mirage. Cities still only have chop.

A lot more people have chop as opposed to realitycheck. Axes are an investment, surely - but it's an investment that will never lose value as long as you don't let it decay.

What is your actual suggestion on how to fix this though? Something like a skill low down in your elemental specialization for a mage the equivalent of mulch?

Right, because druids get realitycheck in their guild skills.

Well that would be an obvious addition alongside of the first skill. I mostly asked in jest though and was just curious about what was actually being suggested.