First of all I would like to discuss 2 gameplay problems that I saw on mirage during this beta then i would do some general suggestion.
Problem 1 :
new dodge mecanic is original but present some issues :
Lateral and back mouvements are very slow compared to a forward move, which means that when you gain mirage cloak (by dodging or hit a mirage mirror) if you wants to take a little distance from your opponent, the only effective way is the forward move.
However, in combat, you have to face your opponent in order to be able to attack him, which means that using an ambush’s skill on your opponent equal losing a lots of mobility since you are forced to perform lateral or back movements. We can not take advantage of the super speed during these movements.
We are then almost motionless when we ambush, except that having no mobility facing an opponents is a bit like being a punching ball waiting to be shaken.
Moreover, ambush ‘s animations last too long compared to the time of invulnerability provided by mirage cloak and only begins when the animation of the skill that you launch before it’s finished, which can be problematic in view of the short ambush’s launch window, the gameplay thus loses nervousity and reactivity.
To correct this, in my opinion we should make sure that :
- Ambush can be launched even by turning back on your opponent (360° degrees possible activation) and must have an animation time of ½s maximum.
- the ambush’s activating window must be changed from 1¼s to 1½ s.
- the trait “speed of sand” should give 1½s or 2s of superspeed instead of ¾s in order to exploit its real potential.
Problem 2 :
Mirage spec is very good in hybrid or condi build and could easily be very good also in power build if some change in the traits / functionings of the skills are brought.
The power stat scale very badly on clones so the condi’s ambush have the advantage, we must make sure that ambushs are viable even if you play power either by increasing the power scale on the clones or giving them an interesting effect that could fill their Lack of dps while remaining useful, so that the mirage have a real interest to launch his power ambush with clones.
Some of my suggestions below answer this problem.
General suggestions
- “mirage mirror” currently remains 5 sec, should be 8sec or 10sec.
- Mirage’s elite spec shouldn’t force you to use clones instead of phantams, both need to be useful.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Traits =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
- “Infinite horizon” should be baseline and would be replaced by an effect on clones death which favors both dps and condi build (if we put damage on clone death it will be an easy way to reveal mirage so it’s a bad idea / if we put conditions that tick it will benefits only condi builds).
So i guess the new trait would be something like, “When a clone die it inflicts weakness (3s) + crippled (3s) to 3-5 targets around it” or “crippled (3s) + 3 stack of vulnerability (6s)” or why not “suppresses a random advantage at 3-5 target” or maybe “confers a buff (random or wanted) to near allies (300 range)”
- “Self deception” is very good as it is, very useful if you don’t play with the “duel” trait line, you can eventually put the 20% faster recharge on deception’s skills or add something like “using a deception skill restore a small amount of endurance (15 points)”.
- “Mirage mantle” is just pure trash, should be rework to be as good as “Shards of glass”, then that will be an hard choice. Maybe something on superspeed or movement speed ?
- “Nomad’s endurance” should give +100 condi and +100 power on vigor.
- “Mirrored axes” should be rework if the axe is rework.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Weapons =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
- Axe Auto Attack is not that good, ambush is weird and not really efficient and you are too much vulnerable when using « lingering thoughts ». + need clone’s power scale buff.
- Scepter’s ambush : should remove the short back teleport and alow us to using it while moving. + need clone’s power scale buff.
- sword’s ambush : really cool actually, need some more damage + clone’s power scale buff.
- Greatsword’s ambush : need damage buff + maybe clone’s power scale buff or put an extra effet on it (apply vulnerabily or suppress advantage or give you advantage, maybe something like that)
and by the way, am i the only one to think that the animation is just recycled Auto attack ? It’s not that cool
- Staff’s ambush : projectiles need to fly away faster, it’s literraly easy to avoid them just by running on the left/right. Need some damage buff + clone’s power scale buff.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Skills =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
- “False oasis” should heal in one step and not in 5 times, make sure it is an area as large as the heal fountain of ranger, which pulses 5 times (3sec) vigor to 5 allies present on it + Mirage mirror spawn at the end. Why not an area of effect too? Light / fire seems roleplay, water a bit overpowered, ethereal seems not that good since we have got plenty of them.
- “Jaunts” is very cool but should have 500-600 range.
- “Mirage advanced” should be a targeted location and have a shorter or instant animation + the distance from tp back is currently shorter than tp forward, it should be equal.
- “Sand through glass” should have a roll back of 400 and 25 sec cd instead of 30 sec.
- “Crystal sand” need something more.
That’s all for me, wish they will do some adjustement for the 22 september !
(edited by theYiazmat.9084)