Legitimate concern. If that is a problem, I don't think the way to address that would be through modifications to faction bonuses. I would disagree that the difference between Faction and Theme is a purely nominative one, for two reasons. First, that faction bonuses exist and currently shape rune balance, and second that factions determine a BG's legality within the ranking system. In that case, themes are aesthetic and subjective groupings, where as factions are - at present, at least - clear and definite groupings that have a fundamental impact on the game.
I'm definitely not making that argument. I'm just cherry picking examples of themes that don't adhere to the faction's general aesthetic/flavor/playstyle.
I wouldn't know but I can imagine certain types of synergy only being possible or at least maximized with a split build. for eample.... rebuke + invig (assuming that still works). is that better in a ff FW deck ff IS deck or a split?
- That's a drastic decision, but in the future an argument could be made for picking ONE font bonus and ONE split faction bonus (this bonus could be not a straight 50% but possibly a bit higher since no mirror split to balance).
This is strictly a theoretical solution without an actual practical one, but I think the way to achieve that is to make runes within a faction naturally work very well together to create a strong playstyle. The splits would offer options and more solutions to certain difficulties, but at the cost of being less tied together/harder to tie together.
strong theme development encourages ff play. just keep making non champ runes that support the theme.
I like the idea of only getting one bonus with splits. Make it so the split bonus matches the shrine. I also miss when the shrine was determined by the faction with the highest total nora cost instead of player's choice.
When playing a split, I prefer being able to choose which Avatar to use. Since I don't have UD or ST Avatars I tend not to use those as my Shrine when splitting with them.
At the risk of getting hate for this I think it should be the other way around. Hunter should be exclusive for Fae and surge on the rest of the champs. With things like living vines being thrown mindlessly all over the place I'm pretty sure making hunter the theme specific one would be the right call.
Still think leaving access to Surge/Hunter makes for a boring +Dmg Equip, replace Hunter with Swordbreaker and give KF some spot removal.
Soultapped from Nora Gem effects is permanent. It does not even go away if you leave the radius of the nora gem effect providing the soultapped or if the rune is destroyed. Is this intended? If it is intended is it a good idea?