[Shadow Warrior] Additional Playstyle Proposal
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:22 pm
I’d like to discuss what I believe is an imbalance for the shadow warrior class as a result of nerfs to Festering Arrow and Shadow Sting. Mainly, due to the movement of the heal debuff to 9 points in the tree (previously only 6) and the reduction of Festering Arrow resistance bypass to 50%, shadow warriors now have one and only one spec and playstyle – a spec up the skirmish tree as a single target dps.
Some may argue that this spec yields sufficient results for the Shadow Warrior and they are therefore properly balanced. I would disagree. First, having your spec options limited is a nerf, plain and simple. But, in addition, nothing about the skirmish spec really “outshines” what the other rdps for order can currently do.
For this reason, I propose a small buff to one of the least used tactics in the SW skirmish tree. Specifically, I propose a change to the split arrows tactic. Currently this tactic makes your spiral fletched arrow AOE but at the price of reducing the damage on said ability.
In my opinion, this tactic needs to further bolster the skirmish line and some key core SW abilities. I propose that it makes Shadow Sting, Broadhead Arrow, Takedown, Flanking shot, and Eyeshot all AOE. I agree that the damage of each ability should also be reduced by the same proportion that Spiral Fletched Arrow is.
This proposed change would bring about a whole new playstyle for Shadow Warriors. Like Bright Wizards, you could either single target spec in skirmisher for maximum damage, or you can AOE spec with split arrows and help your team through area of effect pressure damage. Having an aoe heal debuff and knockdown may sound strong, but the reduced damage applied to the abilities as a result of the split arrows should compensate for the additional AOE strength.
With T4 imminent, I wanted to get this proposal on the table in hopes that the dialogue could get rolling for what will likely be a number of requests once T4 is active.
Some may argue that this spec yields sufficient results for the Shadow Warrior and they are therefore properly balanced. I would disagree. First, having your spec options limited is a nerf, plain and simple. But, in addition, nothing about the skirmish spec really “outshines” what the other rdps for order can currently do.
For this reason, I propose a small buff to one of the least used tactics in the SW skirmish tree. Specifically, I propose a change to the split arrows tactic. Currently this tactic makes your spiral fletched arrow AOE but at the price of reducing the damage on said ability.
In my opinion, this tactic needs to further bolster the skirmish line and some key core SW abilities. I propose that it makes Shadow Sting, Broadhead Arrow, Takedown, Flanking shot, and Eyeshot all AOE. I agree that the damage of each ability should also be reduced by the same proportion that Spiral Fletched Arrow is.
This proposed change would bring about a whole new playstyle for Shadow Warriors. Like Bright Wizards, you could either single target spec in skirmisher for maximum damage, or you can AOE spec with split arrows and help your team through area of effect pressure damage. Having an aoe heal debuff and knockdown may sound strong, but the reduced damage applied to the abilities as a result of the split arrows should compensate for the additional AOE strength.
With T4 imminent, I wanted to get this proposal on the table in hopes that the dialogue could get rolling for what will likely be a number of requests once T4 is active.