Hey fellow thieves. It’s pretty clear that the two main viable builds for Thief for sPvP is D/P and S/D. D/D has been hit with all kinds of nerfs (Dancing Dagger’s damage reduced, Cloak and Dagger’s damage in sPvP reduced, I think Death Blossom was also hit) mainly for sPvP and is now no longer considered a viable spec. I feel like the fact that we rely on stealth so much should be enough of a downside, and that some of the nerfs should be reversed/skills should be buffed, allowing for a more varying and useful D/D thief instead of just relying on chaining CnD -> Backstab to be able to win a fight.
The changes I feel necessary for this would be something like this:
(Obviously they’re not all necessary, but I deem the Death Blossom, Dancing Dagger, Cloak and Dagger and Stealth attacks’ changes the most important)
Changes for D/D skills:
Double Strike:
Increase damage coefficient from 0.56 to 0.6
Wild Strike:
Reduce damage coefficient from 0.85 to 0.75
Lotus Strike:
Increase damage coefficient from 0.85 to 0.9
Backstab:
Now costs 1 initiative
Heartseeker:
Reduce damage coefficient for over 50% health from 1.0 to 0.8
Increase damage coefficient for under 50% health from 1.5 to 1.6
Death Blossom:
Increase evade frame from 1/4s to 1/2s
Now if all three hits connect, inflict weakness (3s)
Dancing Dagger:
Increase damage coefficient from 0.5 to 0.8
Now the first and second hit inflict Cripple (3s) and the third and fourth hit inflict Immobilize (1s)
Increase initiative cost from 3 to 4
Cloak and Dagger:
Increase damage coefficient from 1.0 to 1.5 (in sPvP)
Now if this skill is blocked, evaded or interrupted, gain Revealed debuff for 3s (does not apply if the target is out of range or the skill user is blinded)
Changes for other skills: (Stealth attacks)
Tactical Strike:
Increase damage coefficient from 0.75 to 1.0
Now inflicts 1/2s daze from the front and 1s stun from the back
Now costs 1 initiative
Sneak Attack:
Increase damage coefficient from 1.225 to 1.5
Increase precast frame by 1/4s
Now costs 1 initiative
Surprise Shot:
Increase damage coefficient from 0.6 to 0.9
Increase precast frame by 1/4s
Now costs 1 initiative
General changes:
All skills that directly apply stealth that have a cast time (Cloak and Dagger, Hide in Shadows, Blinding Tuft, Mass Invisibility) grants the skill user Revealed (3s) if the skill is blocked, evaded or interrupted (Only Cloak and Dagger can be blocked or evaded)
I feel like these changes will improve the D/D thief’s ability to skirmish and stay in a fight longer without retreating to stealth, and successfully landing Cloak and Dagger becomes more important as you can’t immediately stealth afterwards if you miss it.
Leave feedback if you want, constructive criticism is welcome.
All cats are serial killers