Kind of a long thread. As interesting as the discussions on comparitive defender strengths and the mechanics of the force field generators were, I have nothing constructive to add to them.
However, I would like to throw in my 2 cents on the Trick Arrow set. There were a few ideas tossed around here I agree with. Entangle should do more than just immobolize and pull flying stalkers out of the air in PvP, some of those activation times are overly long(particularly flash arrow - especially in comparison to it's benefits), and (for a debuff heavy set) some debuffs, particularly the -ACC debuffs, should be stronger. Either make the Flash arrow debuff better or add a -ACC debuff component to the Entangle arrow - I'd be happy with either.
I don't agree with either the concept that Trick Arrow should be completely redesigned or that it's particularly hard to use(seperate points - I know). I play TA like I would play a blaster(and I dont mean by overly focusing on my secondary): You pick your targets to get the maximum effectiveness of your AoE's and you try to draw a balance between effectiveness and grabbing too much aggro. The only difference is that while the blaster primarily attacks only hit points the trick arrow defender attacks whatever they feel like(I wish I could attack even more - there have been a few times where I've been begging to be able to pull an end debuff arrow out of the ol' quiver). It seems silly to complain because a mob runs off and I end up hitting only one guy with my AoE instead of the 4 or 5 I was shooting for when countless blasters have had to deal with that exact same problem since day 1. I would like to have glue arrow target an area like disruption arrow does though(personal preference). I like this style of play and it's this feel that makes my Trick Arrow defender fun.
Basically I want to be able to keep doing what I've been doing, but I want to do it better. Those early levels were particularly crappy. The mid levels aren't bad, and I'll defer to those with experiance about anything post 25(I'm right on the verge of Oil Slick and even the doom n' gloom posts about it I read can't curb my enthusiasm). This means, at the very least, an improvement on the debuffs would be nice. I don't need uberness, or even comparitive balance...but I would like this set to not peak at "ok".
Speaking of Oil Slick(my last point) - I dont like the idea of self igniting oil slicks. Not because they wouldn't be more effecient and effective(they would) but because I really like the concept of a power that combos. As far as I know, Oil Slick is the only power that has that effect and I would like to see more powers that have that kind of synergy - not have the one power with this feature get it's uniqueness removed, even considering the tragic unfairness TA/Pyschic Assault defenders must endure because of it
Hypocrite that I am, I think having exploding arrow ditch it's lethal component for a fire one is a f'n brilliant idea though.
