I feel the need to address this topic because it is everywhere – in forum posts, people whining or flaming in sPVP matches, etc.
1. The initiative system promotes the use of the best ability for the given situation. IF the situation is “do damage,” then you will see skill spam (heartseeker, death blossom, unload, pistolwhip, etc). This is how the thief is designed…. You burst with the best burst skills in most situations (this obviously varies depending on the fight but we’re talking generalities here). So, could a thief, like any other class, go abilities 1 > 2 > 3> 4 > 5, or some such order? Yes, they could, but it doesn’t make sense given our resource system.
2. Pressing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or a similar order does NOT take more skill than 3333 or 2222. I mean really, executing the abilities themselves in a video game IS NOT DIFFICULT.
3. Everyone focuses on “the ability spam” with comments. However, this occurs during only one phase of combat (the burst dps phase). Disclaimer: the following OBVIOUSLY varies depending on weapon set, the type of combat, etc. Also, the lines between phases can be blurred or interrupted. But again, speaking in general….
a. Initiation phase and pre-fight preparation – this includes targeting, positioning, and activation of any utilities ahead of time (no difference between classes)
b. DPS phase – for thieves, this is generally burst and generally over in a few seconds. This is where the most effective ability for DPS is used, often repeatedly until initiative is used up.
c. Evasion phase – the thief is out of initiative, potentially in melee range. They need to use their skill and remaining utilities to avoid damage, regen initiative, and still support the team (same as every other class)
“Skill spam” is ONE part of the combat process, and again, pressing 12345 is not more skillful than 33333.
Finally, people tend to notice the ability that did the most damage after being stomped and cry about spam. However, they don’t really notice how our other abilities are used. Example: I haste / unload someone to death. Did they notice i opened with vital shot to cause vulnerability? Did they notice that when i was stomping them, I used black powder to blind them and prevent their interrupt? No, they usually dont. All they see is unload – 16k or whatever.
Bad thieves spam abilities and think they are spamming abilities.
Decent thieves don’t want to spam abilities and “be that guy”, so they try other stuff and don’t use the class to its full potential.
The best thieves understand the initiative system, what is best for the moment, and utilize the class to its full potential, regardless of how the ignorant may cry.
TLDR; Due to the initiative system, thieves will use abilities repetitively for the situation at hand. If the situation is “do damage”, they will spam the highest damage ability. This is bust one phase of combat. Judge a players skill by their overall gameplay, NOT THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY PRESS BUTTONS.