>But yes, it will mean that non-competitive mages are not going
>to see barrier very often because they are incapable of
>beating the competition to get and hold on to them. Are you
>saying that's a bad thing?

What if only the top ten warriors on the MUD could have enhanced damage?

I think permanent barrier that never runs out, that you never have downtime on, that you never have to take additional risks to regather is about on that level of power.

Honestly, I think this would make the best mages more unstoppable and make mediocre players more likely to play something else entirely.