Rampage

[Fallenkezef]

The Issues


At an investment of 6 points, quite literaly every Slayer build uses this one ability. I used it when I had a 40/40+ Slayer and have faced it's use on Destro side, it is a very effective ability and a true "no brainer", but is it balanced?

For 20 seconds (10 seconds if you pop it after you hit yellow), every attack you make becomes undefendable. Every build can (and does) make best use of this, you can fit a full, max-burst rotation into that 20 seconds that can not be avoided. No other class in the game has such a strong ability to basicly shut down the defence of any class for that length of time.

Is this ability essential to the Slayer? If so, why is it not a core skill? Can a Slayer function as a valid dps without rampage?
Clearly a Slayer can, there are other undefendable abilites, abilities that reduce parry and block (in fact numbing strike is a core ability that reduces block and parry by 50% for 10 seconds).

Any ability so good, so indispensable that every build uses it, has to be considered over-performing and in need of adjustment.


Solving Rampage



Solution 1: Change with numbing strikes

Change rampage to a core ability with a fixed duration of 10 seconds and a cooldown of 1minute and put numbing strikes in it's place with the 10/20 second durations based on rage as per original rampage and a 30 second cooldown.

Here's the important bit, have rampage proc off a block or parry while numbing strikes is changed to an "at will" ability like the original rampage.

Since rampage is essentialy a core skill for all Slayers currently and does fit the Slayer's background and lore. There is an argument to be made for turning it into a core skill.

Solution 2: Exchange with Rune of Absorption or Deep Wound

One of the main issues with Rampage is the "low hanging fruit" nature of the ability. Both RoA and Deep Wounds can be argued to be far more sitational and of lesser effect than Rampage so a simple swap in the tree will force Slayers to actualy factor Rampage into a build than take it as a default ability.

Solution 3: Modify the cooldown or duration

A modifcation to the cooldown to make it 1 minute or a fixed duration of 10 seconds regardless of rage level would change the ability to make it less of a "go to" skill and has been suggested before.

[dansari]

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