Report 960

Report #960
Skillset: Skill: Shuck
 Org: Shadowdancers Status: Completed Sept 2012
Furies' Decision:
Black Shuck will do 300 bleed/blackout/throat lock.
Problem: Black Shuck, the Shadowdancer Champion ent, was useful in choke, as it
contributed to the steady pressure style of play Shadowdancers used to use. Now,
with choke gone and twist in play, the limited (300) mana drain and odd
affliction of blacklung contribute little to a Shadowdancers offense. While I do
not believe champion pets should be overly powerful as is the case with some, I
do believe Black Shucks cost and limited use warrants a review.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #1: Change the attacks to 300 bleeding, paralysis or
 throat lock.
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #2: Change the attacks to increased mana drain,
 paralysis, blackout
[A: 0 R: 0] Solution #3: Some combination of the above afflictions
Player Comments:
---[Lorina on 9/2 @ 02:01 writes]:
Could you comment on how each solution would synergize for us lame folk? Looking
at it, any seem viable, but leaning towards solution 1 as blackout may be a bit
much.
---[Celina on 9/2 @ 14:46 writes]:
Solution one has more obvious synergy. Bleeding meshes with the redcap and
nightsweats, and provides some mana drain for clotting. Paralysis isn't a
change, shuck already has it. Throat lock is another focus body affliction that
slows down sipping for a brief time. Throat lock is already present as a twist
affliction which is why I mirrored it on Shuck. It can also slow down the curing
of aeon. It should be noted that both the handmaiden and grim horror hit with
blackout. I like solution 1 though
---[Hiriako on 9/3 @ 14:56 writes]:
I'm hesitant to say this is needed at the moment, due to the report last month
buffing barghest/redcap. I'd like to see what happens with that before I
consider this. I understand that it's only a champion entity, but that shouldn't
make the champion that much stronger than regular members of the guild. I
wouldn't object to hindering afflictions, but ones that really push heavy mana
drain on a mana-kill class seem a little over the top. How about a few things
that could help that don't have mana-based cures?
---[Celina on 9/3 @ 18:38 writes]:
I can't agree with blocking a report because SD bleeding will be bumped up 150
to 200 every 12 seconds with a burst of it once a minute. The entire objective
of the wiccan archetype is to push heavy mana drains, and currently, outside of
a 7 power one time build up skill that does less than a single focus spirit, we
don't have heavy mana drains. I'm not really keen on sticking the champ pet with
another set of afflictions that don't contribute to SD playstyle. The champ pet
is supposed to contribute to the kill method, but I did not want to mimic the
blackout, huge damage bursts, aeon, and entangles of other champ pets that shuck
probably is entitled to if it were looked at objectively. If there are three
afflictions that don't cost mana, won't mimic other champ pets, and still have
value to an SD, I'm all ears. Unfortunately, the process as pigeonholed SDs into
a mana kill class with no other options, so their skills, in return, end up
needing to reflect that.
---[Celina on 9/3 @ 18:40 writes]:
I want to be clear, when you reference other champ pets, my changes to shuck,
while a buff from its currently not so useful state, still puts it behind every
other champ pet out there. I'm trying to be reasonable
---[Hiriako on 9/5 @ 04:36 writes]:
It's pretty much the same issue that MD has, though I did have success with
meteors as well. I would argue that the potency of twist is higher than you make
it out to be. Although you've not used it on me extensively, it's come close to
killing me by itself - something I avoided only by a prismatic barrier. I'd have
to see actual numbers and function to judge this properly. I'll put some thought
into alternative afflictions, as we have time.
---[Celina on 9/6 @ 01:50 writes]:
I have all the numbers! twist is 7% + 100. Final twist is 21% + 300. Banshee is
10% + 100. I didn't make any remark regarding its potency other than it is less
than a single focus spirit, which it is. The final twist will do less than a
fourth of total mana to most opponents.
---[Celina on 9/6 @ 01:52 writes]:
But this report isn't about twist, at any rate. It's about bringing shuck up to
par with other guardian ents, and giving him some value for his 10 power cost. I
don't actually bother summoning him unless I have a spare refresh right now.
---[Enyalida on 9/8 @ 18:56 writes]:
I'm interested in doing one of two things. Leaving Shuck as is and reducing the
power cost by half, and nerfing down all of the other champ pets to the same
level... or going through with this buff to shuck and nerfing all the other
champ pets to the same level. I support Solution 1, sans throat lock. Substitute
something else in.
---[Shuyin on 9/12 @ 04:32 writes]:
Any solution is fine
---[Rivius on 9/17 @ 18:32 writes]:
I've personally always believed that champion pets are nearing the realm of
absurdity in the extra potency they give to the Champion, especially when you
consider the benefits that other non-ent-based classes get from being champions.
I always felt that the boost should never be as massive as giving passive aeon
(omnihderon and patchou), entanglements (inveiglora) and blackout (handmaiden,
nil horror). I agree with Enyalida that throatlock is way too strong an
affliction to ever even consider giving passively. I have no issue increasing
the mana drain on Shuck, somewhat however.
---[Celina on 9/17 @ 19:52 writes]:
No idea what this fear people have of throatlock is, certainly doesn't rank in
my top 20 scary afflictions, but I'm flexible. I'll take suggestions for useful
replacements!
---[Celina on 9/19 @ 00:54 writes]:
As a compromise, I'm suggesting bleeding, paralysis, and blackout for a third
solution.