Leo_G

Check the definition of Favoritism. It has more than one connotation. AFAIC, there isn't a huge reason to be hungry for Ninjutsu. It's available and built for Stalkers so any Stalker you make with it will perform quite well. But you can't be bothered to play it just because you enjoy another AT more? Reasonable excuse except Ninjutsu isn't much different from SR +Weapon Mastery. The only unique things you'd lack is Blinding powder (its main advantage being it's an opener that doesn't notify the enemy while stealthed...kind of lost on the Scrapper mentality) and Smoke Flash (yeah, not that many Stalkers even take that power).

The only real reason I could gather for Scrappers wanting Ninjutsu is for the heal. Favoritism, meet a related term: Elitism. But hey, if you want your min/maxed characters, who am I to stand in your way. I'm just saying, if you *really* wanted Ninjutsu on your Scraps, you can simulate it aptly right now. I can't really simulate an offensive set like Fire Armor or Shield Defense on a Stalker.

Then stop taking it as a personal attack. I'll say what I want and I may or may not pull a name out of the thread to direct my words at. If I happen to not point out someone, it's in the general sense of the accusation, not the poster themselves.

Get it? Players have and will point at armor sets for Stalkers like Stone, Shields and Fire and say 'Lol howz th4t wurk?'. And if you think I haven't tried explaining concepts to make them work, then you should have seen my Strike Gauntlet thread which was basically a Stalker-fied Shield Defense suggestion. Not that I've given up explaining, but I feel justified in countering the theme of ninjutsu for Scrappers just by it's very definition (look up Ninjutus. It's japanese guerrilla warefare and espionage. Neither relate to Scrappers. If a character did, they'd actually be a Stalker.)

It's all about favoritism. I don't like it. That you can't be arsed to make a particularly viable choice (play Stalkers or play SR Scrapper with weapon mastery) due to favoritism. That, if I woke up tomorrow and Scrappers gain /Nin and the other ATs got nothing due to favoritism.

I honestly can accept Stalker's bad rap (because I know what one can do) but if attention is paid more to other ATs or downright ignoring one, I will make my malfunction apparent.

Yeah, AT loyalty and not AT equality...I'm going to go play my Inv/KM Tanker now. See ya

Lol what do you want me to do? Pat you on the back and just agree to you getting Ninjutsu on Scraps? It's not like what I say actually has an impact on the dev's decisions (in fact, I'm inclined to believe I have the power for the devs to do the exact opposite of what I suggest so you might be getting /Nin for scraps in one of the next 2 issues).

I just find it particularly funny how much bad rap Stalkers seem to get (even though they're not really bad) yet you guys have no qualms bleeding the AT of the only thing unique to them...and this is coming from a Stalker player that has exactly *1* /Nin Stalker and doesn't really care much for the set at all!

If I were in charge, every AT would have every applicable powerset but the actual powers of the sets would be different for all of them. So that means, Blasters would also have Dark Blast but only share probably 3 powers from Defenders and 3 with Corruptors while the other 3 powers are unique to them.

Every combo would be unique and not simply the AT mods/inherent. It would actually be *difficult* to decide if you want to make a Super Strength Tanker or a Super Strength Brute. While an Electric Melee Scrapper and an Electric Melee Stalker would have the generally same direction (-end and sleeps with KD and stuns), they also have unique elements that favor their AT's style.

All in all, I hated the idea of proliferation because of the way they approached it: the easy way. But now that it's done, I still find I dislike how they're dishing out the sets: whatever is easiest. While Tankers and Scrappers get something new and flashy (electric melee) and Brutes get something insanely effective (claws) Stalkers got stuck with whatever was easy (Broadsword...a copy of what they already have...wooptie doo!!).

Now we're sitting on our thumbs, waiting for the next prolif. I'm not going to be the one holding you back from getting Ninjutsu, but I'll still be laughing if you expect it any time soon. After all, it's not even close to being as easy to prolif as something like Energy Aura (which is what you'll most likely get). But hey! You'll probably get Energy Melee too!

On the flip side, there's really nothing crappy left to proliferate to Stalkers. What's left? War Mace? Battle Axe? Ice Armor? Fire Armor? All those are simply awesome and offer lots of possibilities.

So I say, bring on the proliferation. But I'll still be here laughing at all you Scraps when it's revealed what you (don't) get.

Cause spite seems to be the only reason sets aren't proliferated (for the most part). Why don't I have Fire Armor Stalkers? All you need is to change Burning Aura into Hide. Is it because Fiery Embrace + BU + AoE crit is just that tastey? No, it can't be that >_>

The same way everyone is so quick to dismiss Shields and Fire Armor on a Stalker as 'not thematic'.

Hell, BAB even admitted to Fire Armor using smoke as a means to conceal when the idea of such a concept was brought up if one needed the justification. But you'll still get the 'aDUUUR Har Har a sTAlk3r purrin' gas 0n h1ms3lF hur Hur HUR!' responses.

So in the meantime, I'll just laugh in your face you don't get Ninjutsu

Look at it this way: If you were a Scrapper with Spines, how much less ST damage would you be able to accomplish without the option of Assassin's Impaler?

Replace Grant Cover with Hide.

Trade Phalanx Fighting with Block!, a Shadow Meld type buff that improves defense for a short time with a relatively quick recharge.

Switch Against All Odds with Strike!, a passive that grants a Frenzy-like buff after using Block!

Done.


Or you *COULD* make a devices character that dodges by picking SR and using the Weapon Mastery Pool (and look! you get caltrops!). Or even better, make a *REAL* devices secondary and port it to all the melee ATs.

The way I see it, if you're dead set on a conceptual set being ported to a non-thematic AT (Ninjutus for Scrappers), then you can port both ways. Give Stalkers a decent version of an offensive set (Fire Armor/Shields) or a set better designed with Stalkers in mind (Ice Armor with some tweeked powers).

You want Ninjutsu? Fine, then don't be selfish. Support some ports to Stalker that offer them tactical/offensive edge.

*looks at the last prolif Stalkers got: Broadsword*

*waits for something that's actually different from what we've had forever*

Now I'm curious. i'd like to know why you don't.

Yup. Actually, I kind of treat it like a 'top off' button on my Brutes and Stalkers. If I notice my End is good but my HP is dipping toward or past half empty, I use ED. If my HP is fine but running low on End, use ED. If you're dying and your blue bar is nearly bone dry, pop a purple, a green, use ED and keep going.

I only wish Energy Drain was an actually good sapping tool. It's great for helping to top off your bars but you don't have any tools beyond that to keep foes drained.

That happens to my Brute a lot. He just gets so into all his claws attacks, he forgets he starts to run low. He's in his 40s now so ED has some of its IO sets which includes endurance redux.

Right, forgot that. Need a BF for the tactic to work. But it is nice having powers that don't cost endurance to help you. *nods*

More of a preference thing. I'd suggest taking placate once it's available simply because it's a great power out of the box that requires no slots, is auto hit, costs no endurance and can get you out of tight squeezes. Then you have more time to spread out slots.

Some people don't care to use placate or don't prioritize it highly. It's up to your playstyle.

My philosophy is usually pushing back the travel powers to the mid 20s because you've got temp travel, Oro portal, market TP, linked trams/ferries, SG teleporters as well as inherent swift/hurdle and sprint. Lay on Ninja Run if you like the flavor and there's really no point picking up travel as soon as possible. The only time I'd pick up travel ASAP is if I need it for concept (gotta use those wings, after all).

Other stuff I'd put off is maybe Entropy shield to no later than 16 (so you're good for exemp'ing up to lvl 11). Honestly, there just aren't many fights in the early game were you end up getting mezzed. Otherwise, you're basically running a toggle that does absolutely nothing (especially with suppressing toggles on mez). The late teens is where you start noticing mezzes but even then, they're not that bad...usually just sleeps and the occasional KB.

I'd probably go with something like Gumby's layout except move BU sooner, push back Entropy and maybe the tier 1 a few slots and maybe pick up Combat Jumping/travel power in the 20/22 slots. I rarely take Hasten.

That said, powers to choose for Energy Aura: You've got a powerful endurance management tool in the mid 20s (and inherent stamina too). You can practically run all the toggles you want (except Repulse). Options for more defense = Stealth, Maneuvers, Combat Jumping, Hover, Tough/weave. You can take them all and possibly even run them without too much issue. It'll bring you that much closer to soft cap if that is what your goal is. I personally like Repulse. It has a cool looking effect and pushes stuff out of your way. Since it suppresses, you can basically start the match with a 'Sweep' combo at the cost of some endurance...could be a pain if too many foes are around but then EA usually has blue to burn.

Recharge, eh...not that big a deal. Energy Drain already recharges fast. It'll be up practically any time you need it. Using it every time it's up will eat into your damage (it's not a fast animating ability). The only other benefit from recharge would be the tier 9. You can probably try building up Ranged defense for your build. Why? Psi attacks (which you have no defense against) are usually ranged or AoE and building ranged defense from IOs also builds up negative energy defense (which are kind of low for EA). Besides that...HP/regen maybe? Damage? It's up to you, really.

You run into melee and you hit an attack. It's scrapping no matter if you're in hide or using AS or not or using the melee attacks between ranged attacks. That's what scrapping is to me. Frankly, you're just specializing a tactic that anyone with stealth+SS will do. The only difference is Stalkers get rewarded for it while others don't receive any specific bonus from. And even if that tactic was considered 'Stalking', is that the only thing you'd refer to when describing it? What about scouting out the spawn to choose the target *before* they can fight back? Or specifically backing off the battle field to pick apart the right targets on a fledgling/struggling team? It's all well and good to count percentages and min/max stats but no one ever even considers situations that are tough, not particularly for yourself but for others. No one seems to count how my Stalker can aid the team while a Scrapper...well, they can try to direct their mentality in a way to save someone but it most likely will be a hit to DPS where the Stalker will do extra in his stead.

Basically, the way you're seeing it is, just because Stalkers can 'Stalk' then they are less oriented to scrap? Why can't a Stalker be just as oriented to Scrap with the option to Stalk?

Trading Confront for Placate is not a sacrifice. Case in point, misinformation.

Great, then you won't feel attacked when I state my opinion about your opinion.

So Brutes and Scrappers are so totally unique? No, Stalkers are the actual unique AT of the 3. It's because it has other mechanics *ON TOP* of the usual melee fare that specifically adds to what you're already doing. Brutes only have Fury which is just a handicap at the start of a fight. Afterwards, Fury doesn't play any type of tactical or advantageous role in combat besides just a straight boost to stats. Scrappers don't really do *ANYTHING* unique. They just hit things and try not to get killed. Stalkers do that to, hit things and try not to get killed...but they have other things too.

Besides that, the only thing Scrappers have going for them is their better attack stats. Looking at the matter from a balance standpoint, you cannot take that away from the Scrapper or you take away the reason to play them.

Well consider me an opponent of bad press on the boards, then. I play nearly all the ATs and play along side any. When it comes to talking about the ATs (the damage ones, particularly), I'll be there to exemplify their good qualities from a generalized, multifaceted perspective. I'm not, however, going to falsify praise or spread misinformation. Stalkers can do burst damage better than either Scrapper or Brute (of course, overshadowed by Blasters but they don't have stealth/armor). Someone would come in saying a Fiery Embrace+BU+Greater Fire Sword from a Scrapper would do better but then I'd counter with a Stalker with the same powers doing even better than that.

No, you just worded it wrong. Because saying "There are ATs that can..." is saying exactly that. Not all combos can do certain things nor can all builds accomplish similar feats. The same goes for Stalkers. You can build one that Obliterates Spawns quickly and nearly without retaliation.

Look above. Just state your point correctly next time.

Misinformation 1: Well, that depends what your definition of scrapping is. I don't know about you, but all my Stalkers 'scrap', meaning 'duking it out in melee range'. What is *your* definition? I mean, the 'ap' in 'Blap' means to move into melee and throw down melee...so a Stalker is less oriented to scrap than Scrappers when all their offensive powers are melee range?

I mean, when I'm on my Tankers and a Stalker's on the team, guess what that Stalker's doing. Or when I've got one of my Scrappers and there's another Stalker, guess what that Stalker's doing. Or I'm shooting stuff with my DP/Fire blaster and team with a couple of Stalkers, guess what they're doing. I mean, what *IS* is you *THINK* Scrapping is!? It has to be some arbitrary term referring to some egotistical mindframe you can't seem to accomplish with Stalkers. That Stalkers can't seem to 'scrap' is a bull**** complaint that has little merit when it comes to hitting stuff, killing it and surviving.

Not really on topic but, Scrappers will deal *more* damage than a Brute with exception of comparing non-like combos. Even at the damage cap, the Scrapper does more. Also, the Stalker comes with front loaded damage (or Burst) which a Brute does not have. One has to build fury first while a Stalker simply needs Placate/BU recharged.

Another point of misinformation. Stalkers don't give up anything for Placate. Just Confront. Fair trade off since Confront gives no offensive or defensive advantage, if you ask me. I'll give you hide, but AS is usually not much of a sacrifice either. Losing Dragon's Tail or Lotus Drop? Ouch. Losing Whirling Hands, Quills or Repulsing Torrent? Eh. Losing Dark Consumption or Thunder Clap? We got the nice end of that deal.

It's moronic if you state is as a fact. As an opinion, say whatever the hell you want. As a fact, it's dumb and false.

There's really nothing to discuss. Your issues have been tread through over and over. They are balanced and will not change. You might be able to horn in some adjustments like increased duration for Demoralize, better self dmg/ToHit buff numbers, adjusted secondary effects or improvements to the team crit mechanic, but you won't be getting inherent Hide/AS/Placate, you won't be getting interruption-less AS, super bad-A superior dmg over everyone else or any other things you seem to have problems with. If I sound like a **** then tough balls. Get some perspective: Stalkers are fine as they are and most likely won't change. You spouting off how bad off Stalkers are is only hurting the ATs reputation or team opportunities of those that like and play the AT. Stating an opinion is one thing, talking down is another.

And just to clarify, I'm not some Stalker fan-boi. Heck, I haven't even played one of my Stalkers in months cause I'm playing my Tankers right now (and before that, my Blasters). There are pros to Stalkers if you're willing to acknowledge them, take advantage of them and/or learn how to use them. While there are cons, that goes without saying. Every AT has them (or should have them). Looking to what others can do and then pointing to Stalkers isn't going to get you your change.

No. No no no no no no NO!

You can't do that. You can't point at an AT and say they can obliterate entire spawns just like you can't point to a Defender and say they can all solo GMs or point to every Tanker and say they can all survive well vs any AV. NO! Just because certain powersets and certain powerset combos can do certain things does not illustrate a point that the entire AT can. It's a half-hearted ill informed statement that is solely used to strengthen a flawed argument.

And that's just the the first thing wrong with it. Just because one character can blow up everything or one character can survive a certain scenario, you expect every like character to do the exact same thing? Not only is that bad design, it's bad balance and boring homogenized game play. Might as well throw out the powerset format and just use a branching system that gives everyone the same thing but guises them as different choices.

Really, your whole post boils down to 'just cause we min/max'. Basically, why give us an option. Just choose Tanker or Scrapper and be done with it. It's not a very good argument, really. If it's all opinion then yea, whatever. But as facts, it's too steeped in half-truths and misinformation to be anything but moronically wrong.

Hmm, well...you could probably just turn it off when you're just standing around

I do that all the time. That power is bound to a key near my other movement keys so turning it on and off is pretty simple. I actually built a character who has the /em at ease bound to his keys so when he stops moving he'll go into the relaxed stance. It makes him look pretty bad-A using Ninja Run to flip into the middle of some bad guys and then just go all at-ease, like he's saying "Nah, you guys aren't a threat..." (note: he's a tanker.)

Anyways, I'm not complaining about people making suggestions or anything. Frankly, you can ask for whatever you want, doesn't hurt my feelings. But just stating an opinion: I'd be pretty peeved if the devs actually made a ninja run toggle that had no animation. It's like, I can't make any new concepts with a toggle that just makes you run fast and jump a bit higher. If I wanted that, I'd just pick up super speed, slot sprint/hurdle, or use Gift of the Ancient/IO bonuses. It'd feel like such a waste of time if they did that rather than some new stances that can flesh out more concepts with.

Well, I wasn't jumping to the conclusion of an animal booster pack, I'm just asking if there were any pics by devs showing off new parts like that one shot David gave us of the Eagle head and if they'd been compiled into a post/thread that I could be pointed to.

Also, I doubt the leopard head is just some NPC since it was a pic for a player emote. You'd have to be stretching your skepticism to not expect those pieces and patterns not to become available to players at some point.

I will, however, limit my expectations to what I've seen. I was just playing up my DP/Fire blaster whose concept is being 2 demons, both of which can transform into pistols and one of them is suppose to be a bird creature. So I'm certain to be happy with whatever we get. It won't stop me from asking for more but I'm already pleased.