Official Move Approval IV

[Alex]

I'm trying to make a non-lethal attack move for Ebony's scythe. In this case, it's for making the opponent tired. I already have a scythe move for her (aptly called "Ebonywood Hellscythe"). This is a new attack for the same weapon.

Soul Strike (300) Requires: Ebonywood Hellscythe, Physical Strength, Debuff Proficiency

A non-lethal attack that uses Ebony's scythe. Ebony focuses for three seconds. During this time she may move and dodge, but may not attack. Taking more than a small amount of damage or losing concentration will revert all progress towards this. After this, the previously silver blade glows a faint purple and appears slightly translucent. Ebony then may continue to attack with her scythe as usual besides from one key change. Once the blade reaches an opponent, it appears to phase through their armour and body (however the wooden staff will not). Any cuts that would usually have appeared on the opponents body instead glow with harmless purple flames for about a second before they fade away. The foe feels some pain, but it's very reduced from what the attack would normally feel like. Instead of actually doing any damage, the attack solely drains the foe's fatigue leaving them tired. This is a permanent drain for the whole fight, so should Ebony win by primarily using this, or attack with it as a finisher, the opponent would likely fall unconscious. Each individual strike is not draining to Ebony and won't seem very draining to her opponent. However, over time, the attacks will add up as the fatigue induced is cumulative. The impact on an opponent is based on Ebony's ATK against their DEF.

To revert back to normal attacks, Ebony has to focus for three seconds and again can only move and dodge during this time. As before taking more than a small amount of damage or losing concentration will revert all progress towards this. Also, if the scythe is dispelled, when resummoned it will always revert back to its normal form. So, Ebony has to spend a total of 8 seconds of focus at least (5 to create the scythe, 3 to change the attack mode) to start using Soul Strike without having her scythe initially on hand.

To me, this doesn't feel balanced.  The blade isn't a physical object, so the defender would be have to guard against the stick?  And its a permanent loss?  And there's no drawback to Ebony?  With something as amorphous as fatigue, that just feels too strong and too balanced.  I feel like I know what you're going for, having played a lot of DnD in my younger years (non-lethal damage?), but something like that doesn't translate very well to this system.