[Ranylyn]

Alternate title: Akashit Ass

Enemies. Youkai. Even hyattr. The vast majority of the time, a cost that scales up with level gets a benefit, such as Level/2 bonus damage. While some youkai skills are exceptions and cost more out of sheer inconvenience, such as Seeker Flame (Level 1 Firefox + Level 60 Summoner = Level 60 Seeker Flame evoke for the level 1 cost) I've recently remembered that Essence Blast scales up in cost with no benefit in exchange.

I'm sure you might be thinking, "But Liches have FP to burn!" But no, that's completely missing the point of just how trash Essence Blast is. Essence Blast is a SKILL, not a SPELL, meaning no tome bonus. As such, even Rank 1 Vyd would do far more damage, and that can be lowered to 3 FP via Mancy/Chapters, and also hits at diagonals. "But as a SKILL, it can be used while Silenced!" And? Considering the very nature of a Lich character, a Lich not carrying a counter to silence (Silent Prayer, Throatopeners, Screamers, etc) is just asking to suffer. "But it causes burn!" So does Underworld Flame, and it still does more damage at only 80% of will.

Akashic damage is nice, because the only defense is the Resistance Stat, and 8 range in a straight line is also nice, but the cost scaling is just abhorrent. Either give the skill buffs in other places, or remove the cost scaling on Essence Blast.