Report 773

Report #773
Skillset: Bonecrusher Skill: Pulp
 Org: Serenguard Status: Completed Feb 2012
Furies' Decision:
We will implement solution 1.
Problem: Currently Pulp is an 8p transcendent skill that allows a bonecrusher to
do a targeted double-swing with an approximate 1.3x modifier per hand that hits.
The skill supposedly also has a heightened chance of procing higher level wound
afflictions. There are, however, some drawbacks to the ability that make it
extremely underused in combat. For starters, warrior is a very power-heavy
archetype and it is very rare that one would have 8 power to expend when a skill
like pulp would be advantageous. Further, unlike its closest analogue, haymaker,
it does not strip shields, bypass rebounding nor get around any defenses that a
crush would. This report aims to suggest solutions that would increase pulp's
usefulness in a bonecrusher's arsenal.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #1: Allow a user to pulp with each arm independently for
 added flexibility. Therefore, turning the skill into
 a 4 power version of what it currently is and
 allowing one swing per pulp. Its other properties
 should remain the same.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #2: Same as solution 1 but taking 3 power per arm instead.
Player Comments:
---[Ushaara on 1/23 @ 18:44 writes]:
Solution #1 supported. I see pulp as intended to be a finisher, yet the
combination of having some base wounding, waiting for the 8p to actually use it,
and putting someone in state where stance/parry/rebounding won't obstruct the
pulp generally means that wounds have been cured out of the danger-zone in which
it has a chance of triggering a critical aff. Quick testing puts lower end of
danger-zone at ~2000 wounds (critical is 3750+), with a successful two-hit pulp
with 250 (+15% wounding rune) precision hammers and 20 str/16 dex doing ~1750
wounding on 53/54 robes.
---[Akui on 2/7 @ 17:35 writes]:
What if we simply let it bypass shielding/rebounding? 8p is hefty. Definitely
finisher power cost range. It seems simpler to do that, and it isn't as if
anyone is going to spam it, bar REFRESH POWER, and well, if you're blowing 16
power and a day-restricted cooldown, you should get some bang for your buck.
---[Ushaara on 2/7 @ 23:54 writes]:
Hrm, I think that even if it bypassed shielding/rebounding it still wouldn't be
enough to encourage increased use. I think its problem stems from the
opportunity cost of the 8p. For example, one alternative use of 8p is four crush
chest/leg and smite down combos. Here you're building on two bodyparts, and more
than likely proning, allowing an unhindered (excepting rebounding) smite down
that can land pulp's swing afflictions on your target's head/chest. Granted this
is four, if not five, balances (razing may be required) to pulp's one, but as
detailed in my first comment, the ~2000 base wounding necessary for pulp to have
a -chance- of landing a bashbrain is not really feasible to build up without
crushes, and waiting for the power to be regenerated means your target has time
to cure out of the danger-zone. Making it arm independent would allow a similar
combo to the above, a proning crush + pulp for a total of 6p, with the lower end
of the danger zone increased to ~2,800 wounds, making it somewhat more feasible.
Without the proning crush, there's a chance for a 4p pulp ender, however this is
then subject to stance/parry/rebounding.
---[Xena on 2/12 @ 18:18 writes]:
I know Akui already left her thoughs but I wanted to say that I support Solution
1. It makes a lot more sense seeing as you do have 2 arm balance recoveries as a
bonecrusher and ought to be able to choose which power goes with each arm. I
don't wanna see the power cost go down though.
---[Rivius on 2/14 @ 22:53 writes]:
I considered your solution idea, Akui, but the problem is, 8p is not expected of
a warrior during the end-game. Such a minor change would still leave the skill
unused, much like its blademaster counterpart.
---[Shedrin on 2/15 @ 02:10 writes]:
Solution 1.
---[Xynthin on 2/29 @ 02:51 writes]:
Don't reduce the power cost. I guess I don't see a huge issue with making pulp
4p for 1 arm, long as it's not also able to bypass parry / stance / rebounding
(because it is a swing).
---[Rivius on 2/29 @ 14:55 writes]:
Correct. The intention was to leave its properties as is but allow more
flexibility through dividing the power costs. I'm not overly keen on reducing
the powercost either. Admittedly its more of a perfunctory solution than
anything else.