Specifically about Axe Mastery and Berserker’s Power.
The new Axe Mastery grants 150 Ferocity for every axe equipped. That’s 300 with both, which translates into +20% crit damage.
Berserker’s Power is a unique +20% damage buff (with 3 stages of Adrenaline used) which lasts for a 10 seconds.
Now, Berserker’s Power is way better. The way it reads (when you USE a burst skill) suggests that the buff triggers even if you miss. That’s +20% of pretty much constant damage buff. And then there’s the idea that you have to be using two axes to gain any benefit from Axe Mastery… yeah, OH Axe sucks, MH axe mostly sucks.
So what do we have here? One good trait and one bad trait that’s totally eclipsed by the good one. Let’s try to change that!
My proposition:
Axe Mastery – Dealing a critical hit with an axe grants 8 seconds of Might. 20% reduced recharge on Axe skills. Dealing a critical strike grants 2 Adrenaline.
Pretty similar to Forceful Greatsword, but so what. It fits really well! MH Axe deals a lot of smaller hits, OH Axe is pretty much made for small hits, so Might stacking may actually make it worthwhile to use that Axe 5.
But I don’t think we should stop there. OH Axe is really bad. Like… really bad. It needs buffs. My proposition:
Dual Strike is unchanged, but if you hit with it, you get access to a new ability a-la Flanking Strike. This new ability is:
Underhand Strike – Slam your axe into foe, knocking the wind out of him. Removes 2 Boons.
Woah there! Boon removal?! Isn’t it really strong? Yes. However, hitting this attack is really difficult. But the main reason is the state of the current Berserker Warrior, I think he could use something like that and still remain balanced. Zerker Warrior is almost fine in competitive play, but, unlike other Zerker builds, he lacks some unique, helpful features. Medi Guard can support and CC, Shatter Mesmer can set up portal plays, Thief is really fast and can decap, Ranger… well, he’s not that great, but he has insane direct ranged damage, making him a more reliable damage dealer than a Warrior. Boon removal is a good offensive skill that will fit an all out physical brawler and, considering a fairly limited repertoir of Warrior’s abilities, will hardly make him overpowered.
Now, Whirling Axe. This ability is really bad, because it deals very low damage, makes it so you can’t dodge while using it too. You used to be able to dodge while using it and it wasn’t 100% worthless back then, so how about you revert the change, guys?
Also, another proposition: make every hit of Whirling Axe apply 0.1 second of Cripple. This way the enemy will at least be forced to dodge or do something instead of leisurely walking out of it.
Some people proposed making it a projectile reflect or evade, but I think that’s too much. Maybe a projectile destroyer, like Zealot’s Defense? At any rate, it needs some love.
(edited by YuiRS.8129)