yeah, i can tell you had fun with this one. i think this jumped to the top of the list for me.
i do want to push back on:
"This latter limitation accounts for a number of smaller balance gripes I have: buffs and debuffs suck, the impacts of elemental access are muted, status ailments never get their moment, enemy movepools are all small and samey (most just have one regular attack + one offensive skill)..."
1) i got a lot out of buffing Boxos
2) i did at least -notice- elements in the dragon horde
3) Thrast was great at doing area ailments in the cave. I think that was worth
4) The enemies had a little texture, like I always ran from Soldiers because Provoke was scary on anyone but Boxos
oddly this feels similar to the hounds of hell just in terms of "what the fuck do i do with these guys" lol, so that was fun. having to deal with death and swapping out for mp was absolutely the way to flex into the end product i think. clap clap