Pnumbra
05-30-2015, 02:15 PM
Hello Devs,
I am sure you are aware of the balance issues in the game. My contention is with the FvS class. It is anemic, in need of robust updates. In its current form, it is only good for Heroic level of play. In the Epic tier, things scale negatively, quickly. Best you can do solo as a pure FvS is EH and trust me, that can take some clever thinking with some of the content. Damage from this class is subpar and contributes greatly to its loss of survivability in EE quest. I hate to say this, but FvS is at best a splash class to get ameliorating strike. I am sure you didn't intent for this to happen.
The primary problem with the class is it does not allow for clear separation between caster and melee. The two are intertwined and thus both fair poorly. I eTR'd yesterday (2nd) with the resolve to create a melee type as best as possible considering my options. This meant ignoring Wisdom, leaning hard on Intelligence for skill points, and maxing out Strength and Charisma.
I can tell you that this is not going well on my 32pt build, but I get one more chance at it when I get the 36pt option on my 3rd TR. Of course I am encouraged to use only Thunderholm gear beginning at level 22 to get as much damage potential per second (DPPS) as possible. It is getting to the point that I feel like a TH convenient store - having multiple items to fit all occasions - for example;
Level 22: Sword and Orb - needed for all FvS templates
Level 24: New (not updated) Sword and Orb - built to flavor
Level 26: Updated versions
Level 26: Shadowscale Armor - needed for all FvS templates
Level 28 New (not updated) Shadowscale Armor - built to flavor
With that done, the class still suffers in terms of prolonged combats that allow for quick overpowering by high HP mobs. This has nothing to do with skill and I really don't want to become a jump-spin monkey; I want to plant my feet and have at it - using tactics to avoid being overrun. This requires me being able to kill a target quickly before moving on. FvS cannot do this in the melee version with EE content.
Right now levels 20-22 will be a nice challenge not because of the content but due to the low DPS. I am using the PDK Oathblade Longsword as my primary weapon. I usually enter a fight hoping that the vorpal ability will proc to move things along, sad I know. Since I just TR'd, I am still looking for a weapon to use on boss and mini-boss monsters since most of this swords' abilities become of little significance. I have a few ideas. All this is to say that, the melee FvS is weapon sensitive, depending on gear and not skill to get things done.
I hope you will see my concerns as a matter of customer input on an otherwise enjoyable game. Your work on Eveningstar and the entire Forgetten Realms area is top notch. I am hoping that you will invest more resources to expand the FR content.
All the best,
Pnumbra
I am sure you are aware of the balance issues in the game. My contention is with the FvS class. It is anemic, in need of robust updates. In its current form, it is only good for Heroic level of play. In the Epic tier, things scale negatively, quickly. Best you can do solo as a pure FvS is EH and trust me, that can take some clever thinking with some of the content. Damage from this class is subpar and contributes greatly to its loss of survivability in EE quest. I hate to say this, but FvS is at best a splash class to get ameliorating strike. I am sure you didn't intent for this to happen.
The primary problem with the class is it does not allow for clear separation between caster and melee. The two are intertwined and thus both fair poorly. I eTR'd yesterday (2nd) with the resolve to create a melee type as best as possible considering my options. This meant ignoring Wisdom, leaning hard on Intelligence for skill points, and maxing out Strength and Charisma.
I can tell you that this is not going well on my 32pt build, but I get one more chance at it when I get the 36pt option on my 3rd TR. Of course I am encouraged to use only Thunderholm gear beginning at level 22 to get as much damage potential per second (DPPS) as possible. It is getting to the point that I feel like a TH convenient store - having multiple items to fit all occasions - for example;
Level 22: Sword and Orb - needed for all FvS templates
Level 24: New (not updated) Sword and Orb - built to flavor
Level 26: Updated versions
Level 26: Shadowscale Armor - needed for all FvS templates
Level 28 New (not updated) Shadowscale Armor - built to flavor
With that done, the class still suffers in terms of prolonged combats that allow for quick overpowering by high HP mobs. This has nothing to do with skill and I really don't want to become a jump-spin monkey; I want to plant my feet and have at it - using tactics to avoid being overrun. This requires me being able to kill a target quickly before moving on. FvS cannot do this in the melee version with EE content.
Right now levels 20-22 will be a nice challenge not because of the content but due to the low DPS. I am using the PDK Oathblade Longsword as my primary weapon. I usually enter a fight hoping that the vorpal ability will proc to move things along, sad I know. Since I just TR'd, I am still looking for a weapon to use on boss and mini-boss monsters since most of this swords' abilities become of little significance. I have a few ideas. All this is to say that, the melee FvS is weapon sensitive, depending on gear and not skill to get things done.
I hope you will see my concerns as a matter of customer input on an otherwise enjoyable game. Your work on Eveningstar and the entire Forgetten Realms area is top notch. I am hoping that you will invest more resources to expand the FR content.
All the best,
Pnumbra