First off, passive shielding is ridiculous. End of story. Regardless, perhaps we can look at it in a not-so-ridiculous way?

From what I understand, there are two instances of passive shielding within any skill.

The first is the Harbinger's ability of Wyrdsong. This ability shields you and your allies if you are on terrain classified as wyrd, are not captivated by another bard, and are not deaf (it does not work if you have truehearing, similar to other bard abilities).

The second is the Researcher's Diamond. If the diamond is activated, it shields you passively.

Why, if there are only two instances of passive shielding within the skills, is one of these instances dependent on a completely situational scenario, which also means its beneficiaries are not keeping truehearing up (a basic combat defense), and the other simply a set-it-and-forget-it ability?

After all, shielding is the only way to truly stop an opponent, unless they are a monk (using a raze modifier) or a two-hander proficiency (using cleave).

tl;dr Kio thinks Harmony > Diamond is OP.

Am I annoyed that every time I fight a researcher the only thing preventing his or her death is that damned diamond? Yup. Do I think it's ridiculous that researchers have the only reliable method of completely obliterating a Nihilist's main kill method (more in a moment). Sure do. Do I think there are ways of working around it? Absolutely, even if these ways create a severe deficit to my offense and kill method, and require perfect timing and preparation.

I admit, I'm ranting slightly. Regardless!

Is passive shielding (with no con) OP?

Should Harmony > Diamond shield someone who is Crucified? (Hence, Researchers have the only reliable method of completely obliterating a Nihilist's main kill method.)

When is the special report gonna go through for both the new Guardians? (Not complaining and saying the admin are horrible, vile individuals who don't know how to do anything on time; they have enough to worry about. Simply curious!)

Please don't turn this thread into a flamefest. It's clearly evident we CAN hold an honest discussion if we try.

Point of interest: the diamond ticks once every fifteen seconds, and the researcher cannot really alter the timing during a fight.

I don't know if this is really OP. But I wonder if there's any class whose offense isn't screwed up by something one guild somewhere specific can do. Gods know that the entire offense of bards is screwed up by a lot more than just one guild.

The fact that it ticks on crucifix is, I'd imagine, either a bug or an oversight, as being crucified typically stops you doing most things (except writhing).

in before lock.

It does not stop passive effects, as far as I am aware.

Crucify stopping demesne effects / fae would be odd.

this is like saying a mage's demense should stop when they are crucified, or a bard song, or ents.

void balance is faster than diamond tic, and you could always dominate them to turn it off anyway.

Edit: Better example, if I was crucified, I don't think vileblood should still passively cure my afflictions.

In my opinion, it shouldn't tick on crucifix.

Just as a note, I'm not convinced the diamond shielding someone on a crucifix is a bug.

I simply think passive shielding (with no ill-effect) is OP in general, and wanted to know what everyone else thought, heh.

You realize that both of my examples are examples of your things stopping? A crucified Druid/Mage's effects are them doing something. And a Wiccan's fae are no different from a spinning crystal off doing its own thing.

Loth, think of diamond as someone salting you.

i personally dont think it's fair that a plant stops 3/4 of my offense as a cantor, but hey.

No not a plant. Snails.

Passive shielding is ridiculous, yes.

And, earwort at least has that earache drawback to it. Doesn't seem to slow down most bards who know what they're doing.

It's pointless to pretend that any form of passive shielding is a major defensive hindrance for the attacker, assuming the defender actually wants to fight back with a chance of victory.

You basically got gibbed by the RNG. It's life.

just because you don't like something, that doesn't make it op. just sayin'

shielding happens every 15. how long does earache last again?

You're right, of course, about the other examples. I understand what you mean, and I'm not articulating myself very well on the whole.

I'm speaking only to this specific situation, while on a crucifix, the passive shield stopping the Nihilist's power-intensive setup - to me, it's silly.

In general, no, I don't think it's OP.

I was wondering if instead of a shield you get a reflection, if that could help. You don't have to void a reflection and your ent could destroy it too. And we get the benefit of a mobile 'shield'.

Though in most Researchers' defense, we've got crappy con and health and our avoidance abilities are what keeps us alive. It's too bad it just affects Nihilists much more so in particular.

That is a fairly big nerf from a guestimate cause it would change how diamond affects researchers vs well... everyone except like... two-hander warriors I think...

This, basically. If they are fighting back, they'd need to have superb timing and/or luck to really make the most of the shield. If they're doing everything in their power to just not die, well, I'm not sure there's any class in the game that can stop someone who really just wants to run away 1v1. So yeah, it's pretty much just crucify and other corner cases that it really makes a difference large enough to call OP, I'd think.