[Shadow Warrior] Additional Playstyle Proposal

[incredible]

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.

[pamz12]

Most of this forum belives SW is as powerfull as it is currently. Despite only 1 viable build.
Check my thread somewhere in this SW forum, you'll get the idea.

(Your proposals are kinda over the top tho)

[zabis]

aoe rKD? You've go to be kidding me. How about we give WL's aoe pounce, that way they can become 5 separate beings and pounce 5 targets at once.

[pamz12]

aoe rKD? You've go to be kidding me. How about we give WL's aoe pounce, that way they can become 5 separate beings and pounce 5 targets at once.

BUT we're not talking bout no **** ass WL here do we? can you stick to topic about SW, please for once maybe?

[Toldavf]

Oh my that suggestion aoe heal debuffm aoe strong dot, aoe snare (a second one) aoe huge damage for anyone running away, and aoe ranged knock down that increases he targets chance to be crit.

In short no.

[incredible]

aoe rKD? You've go to be kidding me. How about we give WL's aoe pounce, that way they can become 5 separate beings and pounce 5 targets at once.

You do realize that like an aoe punt, (think BO and SM), an aoe rKD will provide immunities to the entire opposing team. It will obviously be used very situational as a result. My thought was that making the rKD aoe would be a slight nerf to the class to compensate for the buff in aoe. unlike the single target version, the SW won't be able to use the aoe version nearly as much for fear of spreading immunities. I thought this was rather obvious.

[Penril]

Ranged AoE KD lol...

[TenTonHammer]

Pfffft

Ok dude first off what are you smoking

Give me some

And hell no, lol AoE rkd

[Gachimuchi]

I think this is a great idea and needs to be implemented immediately.

While we are on the topic of important and very much needed balance changes I propose that Bright Wizard's Fan the flames tactic be changed to something more useful, bolstering all of his abilities by making them bypass 100% of the targets resistances. This is still, imo, not enough to bring it in line with sorc, so I suggest making the inc HD and RKD one core spell and also AoE. Finally, making all of his abilities instant cast would greatly improve the number of specs available.

The proposed change would bring about many new playstyles for Bright Wizard and allow them to spec into whatever tree they like, for single target, single target damage over time, or AoE if they so choose. The AoE heal debuff and ranged knockdown might seem a little strong, but backlash damage BWs will receive since they will be at 100% combustion more of the time will even things out. I'm sure of it.

[boog]