SnB SM ideas / brainstorm

[Madcatmech]

Hello,

Seeing how Kobs are currently undergoing serious buff proposals regarding their dps, I thought it would be a decent idea to start a brainstorm session regarding how everybody views the SnB SM can be improved regarding CC and support/tankyness.

I myself am fairly new to RoR but I have had the luxury of learning from SM's like Cythe, Skepta and Eiger and all of them agree that overall 2H is a better spec in the current state of the game aside from warband play where WW-bot is considered superior; although WW does not require a shield per sé (I agree with this statement personally).

I prefer to just openly start the discussion. I will not be making any initial proposals as these tend to lead where the conversation is going, as this is exactly the opposite of what a brainstorm thread is supposed to encourage.

However for the sake of making this a succesful brainstorm it would be wise to take notice that buff proposals for Hoeth and Vaul abilities have been declined in the past due to them being able to also strengthen the meta of Kaine 2H dps SM builds. Just keep this in mind regarding your ideas you are to post in here. (maybe a focus on the vaul tree at first and ideas being locked to a shield equipped requirement??? just an idea).

Fire away!

[peterthepan3]

As it stands now, Hoeth can function well as a support-dps/utility spec - with or without the SNB - so I don't think Hoeth specifically needs any sort of SNB or 2h leaning; the player can decide whether to go Hoeth 2h (usually as a means of pumping Khaine DPS via spirit debuff), or Hoeth SNB (often Hoeth/Vaul tridot spec, taking the KD).

Vaul? I think it's a bit meh: Redirected Force has to be one of the most useless abilities in the game, Perfect Defenses is okay but why should the SNB SM not gain access to a flat-out 10% block increase? Being a defensive tank that is reliant on a specific stance just to mitigate/avoid damage (as per it's archetypal role), while others aren't lumbered as such, seems a bit counterproductive. Crashing Wave is good, and doesn't need a change. Crushing Advance is okay, too. Vaul's Buffer is only really useful for soloing purposes: I'd actually suggest making it a baseline tactic, available to all, and instead changing it with something more endurance/group-based.

If SnB SM (specifically defensive, as I think offensive SnB does sorta work) were to receive some changes, then it must not be allowed to synergise well with DPS imo (as per every other defensive tank), lest we make the class OP.

just my 2c

[Acidic]

Do you see any significant issues with the class?
Would realy be better to understand what you are trying to get to other than "can I have some more plz"

[Madcatmech]

Do you see any significant issues with the class?
Would realy be better to understand what you are trying to get to other than "can I have some more plz"

SnB SM is lacking in hard cc and pure endurance compared to the other SnB tank specs. My aim would be to make it so that its possible a SM can fill a main tank spot in both 2-2-2 and 1-2-3, which it currently cannot, since it lacks the afore-mentioned (defensive cooldowns, stagger, reliable st punt, aoe snare etc.).

Edit: good question, will make sure to add such statements in the future; should it come to that.

[CytheX]

Pretty much what Peter said, also i think that to sm and bo (best offtank imho for each side) should be added a skill likely Leading the charge( the 1i miss the most) maybe whit shield requirement? I dream a lot i know

[Annaise16]

With regard to Vaul path abilities:

Crushing Adwance defence bonuses are fine, but the interrupt suffers from being on the stance system. It already has a 10-sec cd, so the ability could be changed to not requiring a stance so that the interrupt is easier to use.

Crashing Wave still suffers from the kd following the second hit. So it occurs approx. 0.5 sec after the start of the gcd. This is a disadvantage when compared to other kds. The ability could be made into a single hit ability so that the kd is not delayed.

The Vaul's Buffer tactic is very good at reducing damage from Guard on account of hits high proc rate and the fact that absorbs are the only way to mitigate Guard damage that bypasses a tank's parry/block. In other situations, it is pretty ordinary because much of the absorbed damage from non-Guard related hits would otherwise be mitigated by the SM's armour. So I don't know if it should be as high as the 11-point spot.

Those are just comments on Vaul path abilities. Of course, none of them are specific to SnB except for Crushing Advance. If you want to make something specific for SnB, it might be a good idea to change Redirected Force into a new ability that is more suitable for pvp, but that requires a shield.

[peterthepan3]

. If you want to make something specific for SnB, it might be a good idea to change Redirected Force into a new ability that is more suitable for pvp, but that requires a shield.

This ^

[Penril]

KotBS/Chosen are not "undergoing serious buff proposals regarding their dps".

We are only discussing 1 skill , which currently sucks, and IF (that's a big IF) it gets a buff, it still won't put them even near the other tanks DPS level. SM/BO will still be kings.

[Madcatmech]

KotBS/Chosen are not "undergoing serious buff proposals regarding their dps".

We are only discussing 1 skill , which currently sucks, and IF (that's a big IF) it gets a buff, it still won't put them even near the other tanks DPS level. SM/BO will still be kings.

Noted; hence see my 2nd post which is the main reason I made this thread.

[Madcatmech]

Bump, dont be scared of Penril's green text