Issues of Character Balance

Posts : 126

Upon examining the genjutsu guide I have noticed several issues. Most importantly is the is issue of genjutsu focuses. Starting at B rank a character can take a genjutsu focus. The problem with this is that no other specialty requiring hand seals loses their requirement for them at B rank. Further is the fact that there is an A rank special characteristic which takes away the need for seals on in D or lower ranked techniques.

Now, I realize that for a focus to work an opponent has to look at it, smell it, hear it, etc. That is a very small limitation if not an advantage in some cases (if I make a sword a focus than you can't look at it for fear of being under genjutsu. That would make it much harder to counter or block in a fight). So now the restrictions on the attack are gone, but wait! There is more! Now you can be a medusa!

My investigation into genjutsu began because I saw a technique that was the naruto equivalent of a hunters mark. Basicly this makes it impossible to hide because you are marked. The problem is that genjutsu doesn't make lights appear around a person, it makes a person believe that. So in order for this to work the person the genjutsu would have to be applied to would be the user or an ally. Of course the fact that a genjutsu can only help light up a person you are aware of already would be a problem and invalidate the technique.

It is my belief that a portion of users don't even know what genjutsu represents. Genjutsu are mental illusions. You can't alter an area with genjutsu or prepare a genjutsu in advance unless you make that area or something in it a focus. Thus to use a genjutsu on someone you need a line of sight to them, line of sight from a focus, or a way to lock onto their location without seeing them.

This all brings up a new issue of course. In the series canon techs are shown to alter the appearance of things like signs while no one is present. Thus what that technique actually is doing is making the sign into a focus so that anyone who looks at it will be effected and see what the user wanted them to. Very low ranking techniques are seen as having this effect. The problem with that is that cannon shows the use of foci from a lower rank then the current system does.

It is my belief that the current system is flawed by oversimplification. Special characteristics are taking the place of any type of representation of how strong willed or perceptive a person actually is. Gaps in the current system make B rank a sweet spot of offense and lack of defense. At B rank a user gains foci and a defender has no special characteristic they could possibly take to be able to detect the use of illusions.

Being able to specify a duration till a defender is able to take notice of a technique is a called hit any way you look at it. In the quest to eliminate meta-gaming it has actually been sanctioned under the rules. There is no escaping player ingenuity and staff decision making when it comes to things such as genjutsu. Just as a player can come up with a creative dodge to a technique someone thinks they should not be able to escape, a player can also come up with a clever way to sense a genjutsu is in effect.

All in all I think the current system is flawed in nearly every way possible and is in need of reworking. My ending thought for this topic is that Naruto is no exception when it comes to the fact that everyone always wants to gank the mentalist first. Its only logical you want to take out the guy who attacks in a way most people can't defend against. Its a classic trope that does not need any changing. Sure mentalists can be powerful and a pain in the butt, but that is also why they are likely to get every person in a combat gunning to take them down first.

Should anyone wish to discuss other systems that have worked better for governing mentalists I am willing to provide examples of them for consideration.
-Steve

Posts : 363

I can tell you right now that the Genjutsu Guide is outdated, as are other things, and is one of the things they intend on dealing with.

Age : 29 Posts : 1797

The system is currently being reviewed by the Staff, and all of the issues you've mentioned have already been brought to our attention. Thank you for your constructive criticism. Glad to know someone reads the rules!

Age : 29 Posts : 1585

Topic Solved then.