Incantations of pure magic are a fascinating aspect of the world of EverQuest II (EQ2). These incantations are powerful spells that harness the energy of magic to achieve a variety of effects. With their intricate combinations of words and gestures, incantations hold the key to immense power and ability. **The main characteristic of incantations of pure magic in EQ2 is their potency**. Able to unleash devastating damage upon enemies or grant incredible buffs to allies, incantations are a fundamental tool for adventurers seeking to overcome the challenges of the game. **Incantations in EQ2 are not limited to a single school of magic**.
**Incantations in EQ2 are not limited to a single school of magic**. Players can explore various paths, such as elemental, arcane, or divine, each with its unique set of incantations and abilities. This variety allows players to find a playstyle that suits their preferences and maximize their potential.
A character you love but who gets misused a lot? Scarecrow.
Title says it all. Is there a character in fiction that you think is fantastic but get misused constantly? Maybe that character has an amazing origin and never reachers their full potential? Maybe the character has an interesting personality and an awesome ability but gets killed before they have a chance to do anything.
For me, one of those characters is the Scarecrow from Batman/DC Comics.
Now before you all freak out I will say that the Scarecrow is fairly lucky as a Batman's rogue. I mean he's pretty popular, people know who he is, he actually does get adaptions of his character (Even if some aren't that great but that's for a lot of characters), and he has a pretty solid run in the comics where he's the main. So it's not like the character is an obscure or forgotten villain like CORNELIUS STIRK or DOCTOR DEATH. And compared to popular antagonists like Poison Ivy or Two Face he does get better treatment in other media in that he actually gets a chance to be a main antagonist and even when he's not he has a great design and memorable moments attached to him if nothing else.
Still, even with the popularity he has garnered and earned on his long run as a Batman Villain I still think he's heavily misused and is rarely given the treatment he's deserved as a mainstay Batman Villain. I wouldn't say he's as misused as Clayface which I'll save for another post but I do think he has a habit of getting foddered one too many times. This isn't an issue exclusive to him mind you, this has happened to other character in Batman's Rogue Gallery before, it just hurts me more as a Scarecrow fan.
Fair warning before I go any further, I'm not saying Scarecrow should be wanked to the level of power and efficiency the Joker is now in comics. The Joker is a special character and I don't think anyone needs to replace the perfect contrast Batman and Joker have in their rivalry. No, but I do think The Scarecrow could stand to be a little more of an intimidating threat to Batman in his fight against crime instead of just being a one-trick pony.
For one, I think they make him TOO reliant on his Fear Toxin. As in, after a said character breaks out of his fear toxin he's basically harmless. I hate this idea. I'm not saying make him into a superpowered one-man unit but I think you could make him way more interesting if you grant him the ability to fight for himself again.
I mean it's not like the Joker becomes harmless once you get rid of his Laughing Gas. The Joker is still an intelligent and ruthless threat. As such I always thought Jonathan Crane was WAY more interesting when he had to rely more on his mass manipulation skills over his Fear Toxin gimmick.
In an event called "No Man's Land" The Scarecrow hides in a Church with refugees and basically manipulates the lead Priest and people as a whole to give into Paranoia and their violent impulses. I love this Scarecrow because even when he's not the main villain he doing things that are both innovative and suite his character without be boring or derivative. Through subtly and a careful tongue he manipulates victims into become marauders all for the sake of an experiment. The Joker has his grand jokes and The Scarecrow has his grand experiments.
It really comes down to the writers. I think both Scarecrow and Riddler suffer from horrible writers the most when they're basically reduced to performing one gimmick. When you boil anything down to fodder it can lose a lot of depth and mystery. Writing a Riddler story without Riddles doesn't make the Riddler interesting. Writing a Scarecrow story without psychological drama makes a poor Scarecrow story. Interestingly both those characters get odd treatments like this in Arkham Knight despite being present in that game but that's another story.
I understand that EVERY villain gets fodderized at some point. I mean even Joker in the past has been unwillingly a part of another villain's scheme at some point. It happens with Scarecrow several times like in Batman Begins and it even happens with Joker like in Hush. Still, even when Joker gets fodderized I'd argue he's usually still the Joker. He's more defined and the things he does are still in his character. The issue with Scarecrow is his personality isn't as defined or as concrete as The Joker's so his portrayal oscillates between being a mass manipulative Hannibal Lecter-ish Psychopath and a loser who gets one-shot by Robin.
Why I think this is frustrating is because even compared to your average popular Batman Rogue, The Scarecrow has a lot that parallels Batman. Both use fear as a way to get what they want and both are highly intelligent and respected individuals that abandon their identities to role-play as Monsters. How they contrast this is that Batman seeks to better his world where as Scarecrow seeks to control it. It's a fascinating rivalry they have and it blows whenever DC decides to instead have Batman fight Bane for the millionth time because Bane is physically "THICC". No one gives a shit about Bane. Knightfall happened 20 years ago and it was overrated. Stop trying to make him relevant again, The Killer Croc is a better antagonist. (Half Sarcasm).
It's all the more disappointing when I found that Scarecrow was gonna be the antagonist for Batman Begins and then I realize halfway through that he's basically a fodder henchman for Ras Al Ghoul. I mean the idea that both Bruce Wayne and Crane are protege's of Ras in a way is super interesting, too bad's it's never expanded on in the movie or comics. Seriously the way Scarecrow is portrayed in the Nolan films is a downright joke.
I understand I'm sounding like a really big Scarecrow fanboy right now and I am but it's only because I see the potential of a really good Batman run that DC seems utterly blind or avoidant towards. If you were to ask me to establish a definitive Scarecrow here's what I'd do.
+In most stories he's described as more evil then crazy. Emphasize this. He's more of a Lecter then a Buffalo Bill. Have him be in control of his actions. And he is a doctor so have him be cerebral and always invested in other people's business. The interviews in Arkham Asylum handled this beautifully.
+Don't have Fear Toxin be his only gimmick. I feel like this is the biggest weakness/hurdle to his character. It's probably my biggest complaint in something like Arkham Knight. In that story, Scarecrow is the main villain and his plans again keep revolving around the Fear Toxin that he uses. Sure, they elevate the scale of his schemes and don't make him a pawn to Ras or Penguin (Thank God) but I kinda think that if you're in the position of being a Terrorist like Scarecrow was in that game you could do thinks more destructive like Nuke a building or hijack Satellites. You know, something that a Supervillain would actually do?
+Give him some ability to fight again. I know this'll probably be my most unpopular opinion but I think making Scarecrow capable of combat again would add a bit more to his arsenal. It's not like he's never been able to fight. He can straight up do it in the canon and it just seems like people forget about that. I mean he has such a cool design and it's just such a waste to have that design be demystified in a single punch. Again, he doesn't have to be Ras or Bane level in terms of physical combat. Just enough so that when Batman or any other character fights with him it's not gonna be so one-sided.
I should again emphasize that NONE of these traits that I state would make him a definitive Scarecrow are concepts that come from nowhere. These are all things he can do that were already introduced into canon media that he's either forgotten or have been retconned out of his arsenal. OR have been rendered so minuet that they're never expanded upon. And I think that's a shame and it should be changed.
Sure. The Batman has multiple Doctor's as his main antagonists before like Victor Hugo Strange and Doctor Death but even then I'd argue that Scarecrow is not only way more interesting but has a lot more potential to be enthralling and engaging to the narrative. WHEN he's written right. I don't think it's enough to make his design solid or his voice cool, a definitive Scarecrow story needs to have good writing to back it up. A decent pathos can save a mediocre story. And I don't think it's asking too much to have a character simply be competent in what his title states.
Jonathan Crane is an evil psychopathic delusional man who desires revenge and hungers to be a monster that deconstructs and depowers people both emotionally and physically. The Master of Fear masks a broken man behind that. It's a brilliant concept for a character and it's one of the many reasons why Scarecrow is my second favorite Batman villain.
It really comes down to the writers. I think both Scarecrow and Riddler suffer from horrible writers the most when they're basically reduced to performing one gimmick. When you boil anything down to fodder it can lose a lot of depth and mystery. Writing a Riddler story without Riddles doesn't make the Riddler interesting. Writing a Scarecrow story without psychological drama makes a poor Scarecrow story. Interestingly both those characters get odd treatments like this in Arkham Knight despite being present in that game but that's another story.
**Learning and mastering incantations is a gradual process**. As players progress through the game, they will gain access to more powerful and complex incantations. These advanced spells offer greater utility or damage potential, enabling players to tackle even tougher foes. **Executing an incantation requires more than simple button pressing**. Players must carefully time their spellcasting and make use of intricate combinations of keystrokes and motions known as gestures. This adds an immersive layer to gameplay, emphasizing the need for skill and precision in using these powerful abilities. **In addition to their practical use, incantations also contribute to the lore and ambiance of EQ2**. The spells and incantations used by characters are often deeply linked to the game's rich background and mythology. They serve as reminders of the mystical forces that shape the game world. **Overall, incantations of pure magic in EQ2 are a captivating and integral aspect of the game**. From their immense power and variety to the immersive gameplay mechanics, incantations add depth and excitement to the player's experience. So, embrace the arcane mysteries and unlock the potential of incantations to become a true master of magic in the world of EverQuest II..
Reviews for "Unleashing the Elements: A Guide to Elemental Incantations in EQ2"
- John - 1 star - "I was really disappointed with 'Incantations of Pure Magic EQ2'. The writing was all over the place and the characters felt underdeveloped. I didn't feel any connection or investment in the story, and it made it really difficult for me to keep reading. The plot also seemed really predictable and lacked any real depth. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a good fantasy read."
- Emily - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Incantations of Pure Magic EQ2', but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The world-building was weak and inconsistent, and the descriptions lacked detail. The pacing was also off, with moments of action being rushed while other parts dragged on. I also found the dialogue to be flat and unconvincing. It was a struggle to finish this book, and I was left feeling unsatisfied."
- Sarah - 3 stars - "I found 'Incantations of Pure Magic EQ2' to be just okay. The concept was interesting, but the execution left much to be desired. The writing style was lacking finesse, and the story lacked cohesion. There were too many cliches and tropes that made the reading experience feel stale. The potential was there, but it fell flat. It might appeal to readers who are new to the genre, but for someone looking for a captivating fantasy read, I would suggest looking elsewhere."
- Adam - 2 stars - "I have to admit, I was underwhelmed by 'Incantations of Pure Magic EQ2'. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth and growth throughout the story. The plot was predictable and offered no real surprises or twists. The pacing was off, with slow moments dragging on and action-packed scenes feeling rushed and glossed over. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity for a truly magical and captivating fantasy novel."