Grey_Dragon

That said - sometimes, I LIKE difficult targets.

When I figured out an attack chain that let me take out a level 50 Blaster (with a melee-range "slowing" aura that made ASing him out of the blue impossible) without using any inspirations, I was pretty proud. When I can Axe-kick a flyer who thinks he's safe out of the sky, and break him before he can get away, I feel happy. Frankly - I generally don't LIKE one-shotting people - my favorite Inspirations are Yellow (since I hate missing) - not Red. If something is done to remove Stalker one-shotting abilities - even so far as a "damage cap" on AS when it comes to PvP combat (no more than 80% max HP, or so) as long as they improve their all-around combat abilities, hit-and-run tactics, defense, and overall utility, I'll be very happy. I have more moves than just AS - and I enjoy using all of them (as well as using AS to the best of my abilities - I'm not ABOVE popping a few reds and one-shotting or two-shotting someone - I just don't like it).

Also - Assault does have an effect on Placate. I've had Placate do "No Effect" before in PvP combat. It's not 100% resistance, but it DOES give you a chance to be unaffected.

There's one thing that sticks out for me...

The idea that Stalkers ODing on Red Inspirations and One-shotting Tankers being brought up as "Unbalanced" - when it has less to do with STALKERS, and more to do with the idea of Mainlining Inspirations.

The Stalker is not the only Archetype that can go far above and beyond what he should be doing by swallowing too many pills. A Blaster addicted to Luck is, likewise, incredibly dangerous (unstoppable all-destroying Blasters of death). In group situations, this kind of Blaster (the "immune to death" form of blaster) can really turn the tide.

Balancing Stalkers with the idea of "Overdosing on Red Inspirations" in mind is a bad idea - just like Balancing blaster Damage with the idea that they can't be hit by melee attacks is a bad idea.

Inspiration Overdose being used to do things an Archetype shouldn't be able to do is a completely different issue (and, personally, I think it's a serious issue - sure, other people CAN use inspirations too, but turning it into a game of "Who can get more inspirations more often!" isn't a good idea - but it's got nothing to do with just Stalkers).