Magic users in AoC will be able to use Spellweaving, a trance state that will allow the combination of different spells in order to create more powerful magical effects, spells, etc. The trade-off is that the longer a magic user ( in the case of Spellweaving: Demonologist, Necromancer, Tempest of Set and Priest of Mitra) stays in this trance, the more stamina they lose. Once the stamina bar is emptied, health begins to drain instead -- lose that and a digital dirt nap is your final destination. While it's possible to gain positive buffs during a spell weave, there is just as likely a chance that a negative buff will manifest itself. Positive buffs will last for the duration of the weave, while negative ones can last beyond your trance state.
This is all an attempt by Funcom at making spell casting more exciting by adding a level of danger in exchange for a bigger magical bang. Plus, it sounds as though the mechanical act of weaving spells isn't entirely dissimilar to martial combat.
We have only one question: Will this system be hated by magic-users or non-magic users? Because it seems like the sort of thing that will only go one way. While it's very cool that mages and priests have the chance to do some serious damage to their enemies, it could be seen as overpowered and thus unfair to those getting hit with these spells. On the other hand if the features' risks outweighs the reward, we're likely to see lots of players complaining about a "worthless" system.
There's always the chance Spellweaving could turn out balanced and largely successful, but since when does that happen in MMOs? Someone is always crying, "Nerf!' it's just a matter of whether they're crying for or against it.
