Test_Rat

Originally Posted by Redlynne

Leo, I'd counter that idea with two possibilities, neither of which is mutually exclusive or which would preclude other options.

Originally Posted by Jibikao

Those sets that have 100% critical will have an advantage and sets like MA and EM don't even have an aoe to begin with.

Oh well. I hope they don't fix too late because we are used to 100% critical Burst. :P

Originally Posted by Rubberlad

Right, and BAF is the most popular Incarnate trial the devs nerfed to encourage players to try the other trials... And look, how well that worked! Never mind that the power level players are pulling the AVs to one spot because its easier (a tennis court of all things, how bloody anticlimactic for the site of a final battle). And then we are back to Ye Olde Follow the Leader Taking Down Hami dilemma we experienced years ago - and that got nerfed too...

Come on and wise up. There is a group of select players that LOVE being the rare few able to maneuver through these overcomplicated game mechanics and dont care how many lesser players follow in their wake taking out the scrappt leftovers. That isnt fun; its LAME...

Much as I love a good challenge, I also love community gameplay. Chasing after the few lone wolves in these Incarnate trials is not worthy of lvl 50+ content. Sorry.

Originally Posted by rian_frostdrake

I actually picked the pack first. applied it to my account and then got the set. it seemed to apply for me.

Originally Posted by Zwillinger

We were hoping this would be a surprise next week when Titan Weapons launches, however, to set minds at ease....

As an incentive for early adoption of the new Power Set our plan is to offer Titan Weapons -and- Weapon Packs: Titan Weapons #1 as a bundle for 800 Paragon Points for the first two weeks of sales. After two weeks, the Weapon Pack will be off the Market for awhile and then reintroduced at it's normal price.

Now stop shaking the presents!

Seriously, we love you guys...

Originally Posted by Ultimus

End game the game is not balanced around SO's. Also Stalkers do fine when compared to other ATs with SO's its with IO's they start to lose a ton....

And they are being buffed. The game being balanced around SO's is ancient history, we got a new developer team now.

Originally Posted by Daemodand

The reason Illusion is "overpowered" on Controllers is because they have a buffing secondary. Illusion on Doms would be nowhere near as powerful as on Controllers, so I don't buy the "it's too strong" argument.

Originally Posted by Pyro_Beetle

I personally don't like to speak out of turn, which is the reason why I do not speak on any other sets other than KM or StJ as a primary. I have limited to no playing experience with any of the other sets. I would say from a general perspective though that using placate combined with a tier 9 (or 8 with ElM) attack mid-combat is going to probably be far more effective than using placate with AS mid-combat, even under that current model. I was merely pointing out that if you only wish to use placate in such a limited role, then it is you that are limiting its effectiveness, not that its effectiveness is limited.

The proposed changes allowing AS to be used mid-fight without having to use placate is a win for all powersets in the AT. It allows for a dramatically increased single target damage, the ability to use AS outside of hide which will make AS viable on teams as well. For those sets that do have AoE, it will allow them, in a team environment, to just open up with their AoE attacks like the rest and then AS a boss with full effect in the middle of the fight. This will allow them to function as well as a scrapper or a brute in a team (although without the damage aura from the secondary) while still enjoying the benefits of being a stalker on a team (increased crits, ability to crit from hide, the ability to ghost missions).

Where is the downside for any powerset in the AT? All that is required is a revision in how you use placate.

Originally Posted by Leo_G

Okay...

Personally, I think Synapse got the idea rather reversed when it comes to Assassin's Strike's speed. That you have to wind up while you cannot be seen seems to be contrary to what a skilled assassin would do. If going by theme, AS should have its 1sec uninterruptible animation when you're hidden and be the regular animation while unhidden.

When the whole momentum mechanic was introduced, it was my thought that, if you are sitting in wait (hidden), you're prepared to ambush immediately. So in that regard:

-While in true hidden status, AS will not be interruptible (reverse it in PvP zones) and animate in 1 sec. This attack will do scale 7 damage and demoralize foes in range.

Not only would this make Placate > AS very useful, it also makes the ATIO not penalize you (ho ho, did you forget about that whole 'chance for hidden' proc?) in regular melee, but instead helps.

Assassin's Focus sounds like it'll really make Stalkers a ST DPS monster. But let's be real here. How good is a 1sec AS attack at base damage by itself? I truly doubt it'd be very balanced for AF to basically make AS 2x effective 100% of the time (because it'd be child's play to hit a foe 3 times while you wait for AS to recharge). But in conjunction with my above thoughts:

-Without Hide, Assassin's Strike will have a 10% chance for 2x dmg, animate in 3 seconds and be interruptible. Assassin's Focus will make it easier to use Assassin's Strike without Hide. One stack of AF makes AS uninterruptible, two stacks boosts its crit chance to 50% and three stacks reduces its animation to 1 second (the same as being hidden).

On paper, this seems less outrageous than what was proposed and still keeps the suggested idea of boosting the capabilities of a stalker in ST damage. The attack is supreme while hidden and situational when not, but with focus, you can make AS a more viable basic attack.

Not only that, it still puts the player in a position to need to make a choice in utilizing placate. This choice is also a part of what I'd consider Stalker tactics.

Originally Posted by EvilRyu

You will be surprised what they read. Lets just say there might be an end to "Lol Stalkers" sooner than you think.


Either way most of you made some great suggestions, lets hope the devs will impliment some of the stuff listed here.

Originally Posted by Redlynne

I'm going ...

Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison

This time it's on a brute.

That is all.

Originally Posted by GavinRuneblade

That's a very good insight. I also know that one of the side reasons is that not only do the scrappers have many vocal supporters, but those supporters are balanced, and have math/mechanics to back them up.

We don't have too many who can or will do the sorts of analysis that Obitus, Werner, and Arcannaville do. I know I can't.

And unfortunately, a lot of our people want huge changes or unbalanced changes. rather than the ones that are actually in line with what the devs might reasonably implement.

Originally Posted by JanusFrs

Curiousity really is the end of us all, so I might as well accept that:

If you yourself attend the summit, how come you won't raise stalker issues, at least assuming you won't?

Originally Posted by Jibikao

I truly believe they wish they could just get rid of Stalker AT as a whole. This is just one problematic AT that 1. doesn't excel in anything since everybody has access to stealth and Assassin Strike is over-rated (especially at the expense of losing pbaoe!) 2. they need to spend more time on modifying a new Melee Set and usually ends up with a watered down version or skip it completely (Shield and possibly Titan).

Dominator, on the other hand, is unique. Dom excels in controls and offers an unique gaming experience.

Stalker just feels like playing a gimped Scrapper or Brute. I am one of those that doesn't play Brute/Scrapper so I am ok with Stalkers. lol

As for their plans to fix Stalkers, all is clear is that they know what NOT TO DO. They know Stalker can't have Fiery Embrace, can't have higher HP Cap, can't deal more damage than Scrapper... The whole Stalker AT feels like a "restricted" Scrapper and all because of PvP concerns. F*** pvp!