(edited by ZeftheWicked.3076)
[Rev improvement] Legendary Aspect
I think this sounds like a good idea, and it would really address Revenant’s poor versatility. However, there are some questions that need to be answered first:
1) Can you slot only regular utility skills into F3, or can you also slot healing and elite skills? I know you mention elite skills in your example, but is it best to allow elites too, or just regular utilities? What about healing skills?
2) Do skills in the F3 slot trigger ‘on heal’ (if slotting a heal skill) or ‘when using an elite’ (if using an elite skill) effects from traits and runes?
I was worried about how Ventari would work with this, but your solution sounds pretty reasonable. I’m not sure that I agree with unlocking the F3 through a Grandmaster trait though…I’d rather see it built in by default and available regardless of what specializations and traits you choose. I think making it trait-dependent would limit a lot of the build diversity this system would otherwise create. For example, if I want an F3 ability in both legends when I use a Jalis / Ventari build, then I would require to specialize in both Salvation and Retribution … I think that would be a bit limiting.
Finally, some careful balancing would probably be needed with the introduction of this system. There are some very potent utilities that could produce very powerful builds if they’re always available, even after legend swap (e.g. Phase Traversal or Riposting Shadows in PvP, perhaps the Glint facets, etc).
Astaxanthas (Revenant), Hepaticus (Engineer), Eosinophus (Thief)
1. healing skills most definitely.
It’ll give you better shot at burst healing, but at expense of burning both heals and being that much longer without any healing skill at all.
Also yes for elites. With legendary aspects it is possible to attempt double cast of same elite (cast it with an aspect, swap legend -> 50 energy restored, cast original), or reverse of that.
With that in mind, three of them still get an easy pass:
Glint has very long cooldown. No way to abuse it.
Mallyx’s isn’t that strong, and it’s traits have their own internal cooldown to prevent abuse.
Ventari’s is a heal, and also has a proper energy cost. Also you’re allowed to spam it in his stance and no harm happens because of it.
The two top offenders are Jade Winds (especially) and Rite of the Great Dwarf.
Jade Winds however have an internal cooldown of 5s (with 3s stun duration). Maybe it should be upped a bit for spvp, since alacrity could push it dangerously close to 3s.
As for Right of the Great Dwarf – well this one is hardest to balance because it’s balancing mechanic is in the energy cost and stacking. It’s does not stack at all, so casting it prematurely after first cast is just a waste of time and (literally) energy.
But then again recently the lowered it’s cost in spvp to 40, and if you wait 5s for next cast you’ll recharge 25…i think A-net wants us to use it more then once in succession. Maybe it would make the lackluster Jalis more saught after?
I feel Rite is the hardest elite to balance but also that it’s A-net that should decide if they want it balanced at all, or want more rock & roll dwarven action.
2. Yeah, no reason not to.
The “on heal” and “on elite” runes already have their own balancing mechanic in form of internal cooldown. Also it would be nice to see that icd actually used to it’s best ability without being forced to a specific main legend (equip ventari’s healing skill as aspect and stop worrying about your Jalis heal activating the rune of herald only once every 30s)
3. about tablet moving when using ventari’s aspect skill.
One skill that worries me is the condi cleanse one – it’s instant and does not persist. Meaning you’d be casting it first, then watch as your already “used” tablet travels to where it’s needed.
I think it would be wise to have this skill activate once the tablet has arrived at it’s destination.
Rest of Ventari kit should work same as in his stance – skill starts charging/activates the second you give out the command , while tablet starts it’s travel to destination spot.
About traits, you’re right totally forgot part that you don’t equip them all. It should be available to all legends by default, just though of traits as the “not too early” mechanic, but it would indeed hinder build diversity.
As for rest of balancing, rev already has build-in tools for it – cooldowns and energy costs. What sounds op on paper quicky falls flat on it’s face once the energy bar sends a reminder about not stretching forever.
If all of this is too complex, one can always put initial cooldown on aspect itself – for example – make it available 2-3s after legend swap, or have it carry 50% extra costs if used within this time. I’ll let a-net get creative here.
(edited by ZeftheWicked.3076)