Due to the huge balance swings and the smaller playerbase which only amplifies these swings, how about some ideas on how to indirectly manage one of the things that makes CF overwhelming?

My thoughts -

Called and cast cabal powers which are outside the arena of learned skills (like deathblow, poultice, want, guardcall, forage, etc) have a finite pool to draw from.

As more and more people try to draw from that cabal's power, the likelihood of it being empty or taxed as a source of power diminishes. The result is failing to connect to the conduit of power, reduced effects, and reduced timers.

The cabal powers are still there and typically accessible but now with some added annoyances.

As a cabal is more and more flooded the likelihood of these events further escalates.

The goal is to not make the bandwagon unplayable but to discourage it some. I think by focusing on some of the more pk enhancing skills is probably best.

Things like -

- chameleon may fail or fall without an Outlander noticing it
- centurions may be more weak than normal due to all the better guards already having been called
- vanguard providing less damage resistance
- bloodthirst/resist/spellbane failing to call, requiring a second/third/fourth attempt
- cry of deliverance failing or maybe taking to the wrong person
- despoil being so strong it actually blows the item up and damages a scion
- tribunal guards being weaker similar to centurions
- outlander secrets not working
- etc

none.

only a fool would say it doesn't make sense, much less zero sense

.

you're still holding on to that rope?

I mostly don't agree with your premise there.

nt

gives incentives to cabal leaders to induct smartly. Only comes into play during current swings. Maybe even add the reverse that when the cabal is below a certain threshold things are enhanced.