Thanks for the comments.
As for not having large amounts of setting/character/story yet...I figured most of the DL that might look at it would be interested in mechanics stuff first, so that's the stuff I have set to do last. Also, it's in notes I've taken, so it would take more time, relatively, to post all that up than the other stuff first.
Names: The names were a design choice of my own, as I wanted them to be relatively common and "normal" sounding. Granted, looking back on it...some are a bit generic (David), so I'd be open to suggestions for changing them, as long as they're still...normal!
As for Evan...this is something I intend to explain with him when I add more information, but my reasoning for the lack of healing is - he's a DO, not MD. It's a bit of commentary, but there's some asinine medical organizations that feel that DO's are not as competent (the AMA in particular, which also throws pharmacists, dental surgeons, nurse practitioners, and others, into the category of "groups of people that do not have the training to practice on their own without an 'appropriately-trained' physician assisting them"). The difference between DO and MD is that DO receive additional training on complementary/alternative medicine (CAM), whereas MD do not receive much (if any) at all. After the framing device (disaster, whatever), a lot of places that train physicians are moved to utilize more natural therapies, as much of the infrastructure of the modern world is gone. There are still, however, some groups in the better developed areas that look down on this (i.e., those with additional infrastructure more akin to now), and are still against this CAM and natural practice, since they have the components to practice "modern" medicine. Since "college" is more of an afterthought in the rest of the world (these areas of modern refuge are very rare), these places have "monopoly" on "real" medicine, and thus look down on anywhere else and anyone else that practices medicine in the world at a whole, i.e., where most people are and need the most help. So Evan is an "evil" doctor because of his "degree" (which means practically nothing now, but represents he's a physician of the "less developed" world), and therefore uses the stuff he does. So yes, medical racism is awesome >_> Also, physicians WOULD know how to kill someone pretty well, so it still makes sense even if you don't read all my commentary <_<
I think the reason the male characters don't seem as important as the females is because I've made several changes to them since first inception, and so they are "less developed" by nature right now.
As for the optionals...they have undergone so many changes it's crazy. I have CUT THEM DOWN in abilities, since I wanted them to be interesting options and unique in their own right, but the way it was going...it seemed like Joshua completely outclassed any other physical fighter, and some of the mages, and Diane was similarly powerful. For example!
Joshua: Originally had MAG at the level of Erika. Skills he had originally included MT versions of all elements, innate elemental boost, the physical counter series, innate almighty boost, Power Charge, the MT -kundas, and originally had Cocytus Pain before giving that to Erika (under a different name)
Diane (originally Ariana, for names, but I felt like I had too many A-names, and it didn't seem to mesh well with the others): Probably not as bad, but originally had the highest MAG of the group, as well as more relative END. She had innate amp for all her elements (still ST only), the magic counter series, Mind Charge, Tetrakarn and Makarakarn, revival, the current Magma Axis (under a different name), had Enduring Soul, and...had a skill I think I got rid of since it seemed redundant. She also VOIDED all the elements she uses, whereas now, she's merely strong to them (so basically a crazy wall). She also had almighty stuff too, though I think it was...oh yeah, Last Resort >_>
I cut them down a lot, as you can see >_>. Plot-wise it would make sense to be that strong, but...I wanted them to be worth getting, but not people who completely outclassed everyone at everything (no other physical fighter could even come close to Joshua, and the perfect party I saw was basically Joshua+Diane+Catherine+who cares, which is no fun - I wanted everyone to have a use).
The purpose of the other characters:
Catherine - Able to do a bit of everything. Her skillset has not changed at all, and her skills...are the same. Her stats are overall strong, except for slightly below par SP and bad HP.
Anastasia - Chie with a few changes. Her use would be for criticals (which I will add to the mechanics section as I complete it), as her techs have high critical rates and her skills exemplify that (Sharp Student/Apt Pupil). She also has the electric element, and good overall stats (except MAG), plus the physical counter series and draining (albeit, late - I should make that earlier).
Erika - WHY SHOULD THE BOWGIRL NOT BE OVERPOWERED!? Uh...anyway! An alternate healer. Misses revival, but does get Salvation instead. Her focus is on status (silence, sleep, charm - she's a stripper, come on!), as well as having the drains, Invigorate (...mmm...limitless SP - I hadn't noticed that...might want to change her around a bit). Tetrakarn I added to her, though I'm wondering if that is even necessary. She is the least durable character (2nd lowest HP and lower END than Catherine put her at around 70% or so), and not as fast (average or so), so her use is a bit different. Mmmm...she probably does need to be cut down a little bit.
David (used to be a female at one point!) - He has gone through so many changes because he and Evan were the two I could not find a way to make them usable with Joshua the way he was. Her originally had...only fire and the status he had, which is horribly boring. So...he got revival (fire, Phoenix, revival - makes sense), the -kundas (only source of them if you don't get Joshua), the magic counter series, and some status restoration. Last Resort also went to him, and Magma Axis, so he has the best source of almighty damage (whereas originally, only the optionals had any), though it kills him, as well as a defensive technique. Still feels like a weak link, but better.
Evan - Probably was more useful than David due to instant death! He ended up getting Dekaja and Dekunda (...those were originally split with Joshua and Diane >_>) and a few new skills like Dark Baptism, Wrath (mostly for making his physical stuff seem threatening), and Nullity Guidance (GARLAND SLAYER!!!). I'm relatively happy with him now, honestly.
Joan - Honestly think she's getting a bit too strong, myself. Another healer, but with only MT healing and revival. She otherwise is very basic in what she does, but her stats are pretty good. Light damage, decent speed, awesome offense (game-high MAG), surprisingly useful physical techs, and some oddball abilities like Divine Judgment. Kind of basic, but fills a role - she's a protector, so healing on her makes sense, to me.
So...yeah. Those are my points on them. Any thoughts on making them a bit different? I thought the builds were decently obvious except for David/Evan, but...I could be off. It's helpful to have a second eye on this. One possibility I was playing with was to remove Erika's healing and make her purely status (switching David's stuff over to her). One less healer, and the focus is instead of mostly random-killing and debilitating (could also give her the stat breaks, give David the Rakukaja series). Only 3 healers (Catherine, Joan, Joshua, and J/J get MT/ST only, respectively), and 3 revivers (Catherine, David, Joan). Makes the choice of healer a little more interesting.
Accessories: Any thoughts on other ideas? The generic ones are basically SMT staples, and the others I added in. I have other ideas, but I put a lot of them into armour for interesting set-ups (Ares Regalia + Berserker Garb, or Berserker Garb + Berserk Ring). In addition, I don't want to outclass weapons with accessories (not that the best healing booster accessory is +25%, whereas Erika has one bow that is +50%) - they should be, to me, just that - accessories to what else your characters use. I could see more, but I don't want to make redundant stuff.
Hikari/Yami - I would kill for any suggestions ;_: They are at least recognizable! <_<
Name changes: Mmm...I do like more simplistic names, as mentioned above, so nothing crazy like Yuamighai >_> Erika probably needs to stay (she's...uh...supposed to be nordic if the height didn't tip anyone in, and I need a good stripper name, and "Erotic Erika" is just so awesome). Diane would probably work switched to Ariana, Joan/David/Joshua I'd have to think on (or if you have any good suggestions!).
Wiki: The short descriptions are on my list of stuff to add, but I figured I should throw mechanics and the like up first (DL interest?). It should have a heading in the characters section (I might not have added it yet, but it should be "Character Design Theory Notes"). I have the write-ups, mostly above, though in clearer language.
Thanks again for the feedback - it is really nice to have another eye looking at this (since I've been working on-and-off on it for...uh...a year+? Since Persona 4).
