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Then what will it be due to? I'm not seeing the issue with Shadow Maul. Don't forget that Dark Melee's attack powers are individually stronger than other sets because it only HAS four real attacks, as opposed to the six or seven that other scrapper sets get.
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no, no they aren't. they are balanced along the same lines as other sets. If anything Midnight Grasp doesn't do enough damage.
Maul would get the axe for it's 3 second animation if anything. Though I'm not sure they'll even do that since Em has total focus with a very long animation too.
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My expectations: the obvious, Confront becomes Placate, Soul Drain becomes Build-Up. I'm thinking Touch of Fear and Dark Consumption will both get the axe. One becomes Assassin's Whatever, the other will be turned into a more conventional attack. All attack powers will get toned down a little from their Scrapper counterparts, since that will put DM Stalkers on even ground with other sets.
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confront -> placate , definitely
soul drain -> build up , definitely
After that, I think it's up for grabs. I don't think they'll destroy DM's rep as the utility set too much. Either ToF, SL, or DC has to go for the assassin attack.
Level 50 is a journey, not a destination.
▲Scrapper Issues List - Going Rogue Edition▲
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(edit: ugh. TRIPLE stacked stealth? Imagine the threads people are going to make on the pvp boards when this comes out.)
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Stealth and CoD are mutually exclusive. I was always under the impression that they don't stack as it is.
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No form of -PER power stacks for anyone but Stalkers. Now, there are some powers that are mutually exclusive, ie Stealth cannot be run at the same time as Invisibility one turns the other off when its activated. Other forms of -PER powers don't turn each other off, but only the highest value of -PER is used, ie if you run Stealth but team with an Ill Controller running Group Invis, both will be in effect but only GI will count toward your -PER amount.
For Stalkers any -PER power that isn't mutually exclusive will stack, up to the -PER cap. As long as CoD will run while Stealth is up they _should_ stack. Now, the devs may or may not allow this. They could even remove CoD from the Stalker set to prevent this, we have to wait and see. 
Thorizdin
Lords of the Dead
Old School Legends
I'd just like to say that if the assassin strike for DM looks like the MA and EM one, I'm gonna be mad.
Since several Dark Melee powers absorb energy from the opponent, it would be interesteing if the Assassin's Strike was some kind of energy drain attack.
Well, I must say, my initial response to the dark/dark sets are kinda worrisome. As it looks now, there could be some major swings in the effectiveness of these sets.
I worry about the balance of these sets. It seems like the right/wrong power addition/removal could send these stalkers into a delicate position.
On one side, consider that they leave the +stealth toggle in there. You have a stalker who could potentially reach the -perception cap on their own. The mere possibility of this, I'm sure, has plenty in PvP forum posters blowing holes in their underpants.
On the other side, a dark melee set left partially alone, save the switch of AS and placate in there, could be pretty gimped in PvE.
Obviously, there will have to be some changes in this set to bring it anywhere near being an effective stalker set. I'm just nervous about the way these changes will tip our already questioned balance of being great at PvP but "just ok" in PvE.
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I'll be honest, I'm a tad disappointed.
Not that I'm unhappy that Stalkers are getting DM/DA. That's fine. I was just hoping we'd see that Dual Daggers set.
But oh well. Perhaps the future.
As for what DA will lose in the transfer- I should think Death Shroud and Cloak of Shadows would be prime candidates, given one's uselessness for a Stalker and the other's redundance. Though it would be nice to have the second stealth already available in the secondary set, I doubt that's a precedent Cryptic would want to set.
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Friend and I were discussing this because I had a 50 Claws/DA scrapper "Stygian Cat" that I deleted due to ED, despite him being a friend favorite. He just became inviable without a pocket kineticist.
But, with /DA coming to stalkers, Stygian Cat will rise again as a villain! So we chatted how Styg might change:
Guessing Death Shroud, Cloak of Fear, and Oppressive Gloom go away because they'd kill hide. Though we did dream up some interesting "reverse supression" ideas to make them work, then decided they would unbalanced things too much.
We both hoped that Cloak of Darkness would die, but maybe it's graphics would be used for Hide. CoD (and /DA) had some unique looks, would be fun to make /DA have a unique Hide look.
Not sure how they'd handle the rest. Am hoping they have some new powers, even if they steal the FX from the scrapper /DA.
Resists instead of Defense was always a difficult thing to manage with the original Stygian Cat...Claws/DA was argueably the squishiest, least effective scrapper you could build...took a certain masochism to play that combo. Frankly, most fun I ever had to 50.
A Stalker Claws/DA is likely less masochistic as long as you stick to the AS-run-hide-repeat where the resistances and the obscene endurance drain are less of an issue.
CURRENT MAINS: Akero (V) | Polly Spark (V) | Project MALWARE (V) | Barium Bunny (VIP)
ACTIVE INCARNATES: Polly's Revenge (V) | Stygian Kitten (V) | Archon Abrasax (V) | Alpha Antares (V)
Felines | Wolves | Avians | Bovines | Griffons | Centaurs | Insects | Robots
What, you really think HUMANS are going to save the world? LOL!
If your curious about the stealth cloak of DA being left in just look at the differences between stalkers EA and Brutes EA.
I would not hold your breath on it being left in.
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If Shadow Maul goes, it won't be due to its cone status.
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Then what will it be due to? I'm not seeing the issue with
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IF it gets removed (there are cone attacks in other Stalker sets), it will be because it has a painfully long animation time. Being stuck for the whole time the attack fires off means that anyone you're not hitting gets a free shot at you for as long as your stuck in the animation.
As a DM/DA Scrapper in the low levels, I can say with vehemence that I HATED when I mised a couple of mobs with Shadow Maul, only to have one or more of them hit me back and take out a serious chunk of my health because I couldn't move or otherwise do anything about it. For Stalkers, my assumption would be that missing like that would practically be suicidal, as they have far fewer hit points.
_Castle_ should be able to answer this as he was the original Dev to "whiteboard" these sets back in CoV Beta.
Don't underestimate the copy/paste function, Shadow Maul will likely stay (perhaps moved to level 18 power choice but unlikely). Touch of Fear and Siphon Life are the most likely candidates to also stay since Touch of Fear has the same application to power balance as Stun does in EM (where we agree); and Siphon Life is balanced as it becomes a minor health benefit if you choose to slot damage or ~30% heal if slotted for heal. Siphon Life also gives a different Stalker "flavor" to this melee set since it distinguishes it as ever-so-slightly different (higher survivability). I agree that Soul Drain will also be converted to Build Up.
Dark Armor will see the loss of any AE attacks (Death Shroud) and Cloak of Darkness is far too powerful as a PvP power and redundant in PvE so that will leave as well. Cloak will likely be replaced with Dark Consumption (from Dark Melee) since this is equivalent to Energy Drain under Energy Aura.
In short, DM is OK (Accuracy debuff/heal is nice but most Stalkers survive based on burst damage anyways). DA is OK as well but fits into a more of high-breed role between Energy Aura and Ninjitsu (with a Self Rez like Regeneration) but will be lacking an ending high-defense 9th tier power. Nothing overpowered per se but nothing too shabby with the additions.
_Castle_, weren't you the one to ask for "new" Stalker sets? (i.e. the psychic-dagger set)
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_Castle_, weren't you the one to ask for "new" Stalker sets? (i.e. the psychic-dagger set)
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The most popular requests seemed to be:
- Dual Daggers
- Psychic Melee
- Bo/Staffs
- Sais
Even though those last two are horrendously NOT Stalker-like.
i still want a devices primary for stalkers. that's my popular request.
Level 50 is a journey, not a destination.
▲Scrapper Issues List - Going Rogue Edition▲
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_Castle_, weren't you the one to ask for "new" Stalker sets? (i.e. the psychic-dagger set)
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The most popular requests seemed to be:
- Dual Daggers
- Psychic Melee
- Bo/Staffs
- Sais
Even though those last two are horrendously NOT Stalker-like.
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I'd rather see a Dual Pistols set than any of those.
"She started dancin' to that fine, fine music,
Y'know, her life was saved by rock 'n' roll."
--The Velvet Underground
While I would like to make a Cleric John Preston character, myself, I think it's far more reasonable to ask for a Stalker melee set than a Stalker ranged set. =P
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_Castle_, weren't you the one to ask for "new" Stalker sets? (i.e. the psychic-dagger set)
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The most popular requests seemed to be:
- Dual Daggers
- Psychic Melee
- Bo/Staffs
- Sais
Even though those last two are horrendously NOT Stalker-like.
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Though I do agree with double daggers...why not something better? Maybe dual kunai (a dagger ninjas use, is able to be thrown and used in close combat) that seems much cooler. And as for mental melee, I am all for it, but no feeking psi daggers!! sheesh I am amazed at how many ppl have said this, do u want NC to be sued my Marvel again? Why not something kooler like...psionic tendrils or something olong those lines. I am all for new stalker sets but sais and bo/quarter staffs can be given to the scrappers in my opinion.
PS: they better change some of the animation and powers fo DM/DA or im gonna be pissed.
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If Shadow Maul goes, it won't be due to its cone status.
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Then what will it be due to? I'm not seeing the issue with Shadow Maul. Don't forget that Dark Melee's attack powers are individually stronger than other sets because it only HAS four real attacks, as opposed to the six or seven that other scrapper sets get.
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It'll be because they didn't want to remove any of the other powers to put in AS. That's it.
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My expectations: the obvious, Confront becomes Placate, Soul Drain becomes Build-Up. I'm thinking Touch of Fear and Dark Consumption will both get the axe. One becomes Assassin's Whatever, the other will be turned into a more conventional attack. All attack powers will get toned down a little from their Scrapper counterparts, since that will put DM Stalkers on even ground with other sets.
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Okay, what I don't get: How is Touch of Fear any worse than Cobra Strike or Stun, or...heck...Total Focus? I mean, when it comes to mezzing attacks?
Elsegame: Champions Online: @BellaStrega ||| Battle.net: Ashleigh#1834 ||| Bioware Social Network: BellaStrega ||| EA Origin: Bella_Strega ||| Steam: BellaStrega ||| The first Guild Wars: Kali Magdalene ||| The Secret World: BelleStarr (Arcadia)
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We both hoped that Cloak of Darkness would die, but maybe it's graphics would be used for Hide. CoD (and /DA) had some unique looks, would be fun to make /DA have a unique Hide look.
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I don't know why you'd hope that. After all, if DA has the ability to stack Hide + Stealth within the secondary, that would distinguish it further from each of the other sets, especially considering the relative lack of defense.
Elsegame: Champions Online: @BellaStrega ||| Battle.net: Ashleigh#1834 ||| Bioware Social Network: BellaStrega ||| EA Origin: Bella_Strega ||| Steam: BellaStrega ||| The first Guild Wars: Kali Magdalene ||| The Secret World: BelleStarr (Arcadia)
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If your curious about the stealth cloak of DA being left in just look at the differences between stalkers EA and Brutes EA.
I would not hold your breath on it being left in.
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Well... EA for stalkers was designed first, and then it was altered to be brute-suitable. In that case, Hide was replaced with Energy Cloak, not the other way around.
If DA simply ends up as a gloomy clone of EA, that'd be disappointing.
Elsegame: Champions Online: @BellaStrega ||| Battle.net: Ashleigh#1834 ||| Bioware Social Network: BellaStrega ||| EA Origin: Bella_Strega ||| Steam: BellaStrega ||| The first Guild Wars: Kali Magdalene ||| The Secret World: BelleStarr (Arcadia)
Melee:
I see most of the utility powers eating it with exception to ToF.
Shadow Maul was already mentioned as probably not making the cut.
Armor:
DS, OG, CoF, DR I can't see them making the cut. Giving DA the ability to stack Stealth+Hide within the set wouldn't be fair to any of the other secondaries... with the exception that DA will probably remain RES based (and Stalkers are better off as DEF based).
I'd be willing to bet that they leave in Soul Transfer. 
Currently roleplaying, badgehunting, and laughing at the PvPers of CoX. lol, PvP.
Truedusk - Human Rogue
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If your curious about the stealth cloak of DA being left in just look at the differences between stalkers EA and Brutes EA.
I would not hold your breath on it being left in.
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Well... EA for stalkers was designed first, and then it was altered to be brute-suitable. In that case, Hide was replaced with Energy Cloak, not the other way around.
If DA simply ends up as a gloomy clone of EA, that'd be disappointing.
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Actually Hide was probably replaced by power shield, repulse by energy cloak. But thats beside the point.
Again I would not put bets on cloak of darkness being left in. That one power would make DA significantly more appealing than any of the other sets. Hide+Cloak+Stealth tell me there wouldn't be issues there. Yes I am aware any stalker can get 3 stealth like powers on them, but the third takes another party.
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If your curious about the stealth cloak of DA being left in just look at the differences between stalkers EA and Brutes EA.
I would not hold your breath on it being left in.
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Well... EA for stalkers was designed first, and then it was altered to be brute-suitable. In that case, Hide was replaced with Energy Cloak, not the other way around.
If DA simply ends up as a gloomy clone of EA, that'd be disappointing.
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Actually Hide was probably replaced by power shield, repulse by energy cloak. But thats beside the point.
Again I would not put bets on cloak of darkness being left in. That one power would make DA significantly more appealing than any of the other sets. Hide+Cloak+Stealth tell me there wouldn't be issues there. Yes I am aware any stalker can get 3 stealth like powers on them, but the third takes another party.
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What the hell are you talking about? Cloak of Darkness can't stack with Stealth.
Elsegame: Champions Online: @BellaStrega ||| Battle.net: Ashleigh#1834 ||| Bioware Social Network: BellaStrega ||| EA Origin: Bella_Strega ||| Steam: BellaStrega ||| The first Guild Wars: Kali Magdalene ||| The Secret World: BelleStarr (Arcadia)
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If your curious about the stealth cloak of DA being left in just look at the differences between stalkers EA and Brutes EA.
I would not hold your breath on it being left in.
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Well... EA for stalkers was designed first, and then it was altered to be brute-suitable. In that case, Hide was replaced with Energy Cloak, not the other way around.
If DA simply ends up as a gloomy clone of EA, that'd be disappointing.
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Actually Hide was probably replaced by power shield, repulse by energy cloak. But thats beside the point.
Again I would not put bets on cloak of darkness being left in. That one power would make DA significantly more appealing than any of the other sets. Hide+Cloak+Stealth tell me there wouldn't be issues there. Yes I am aware any stalker can get 3 stealth like powers on them, but the third takes another party.
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What the hell are you talking about? Cloak of Darkness can't stack with Stealth.
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Well ok color me stupid .
But it wouldnt require DA stalkers to delve into the stealth pool to achieve the same effect every other stalker has in PvP solo.
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Melee:
I see most of the utility powers eating it with exception to ToF.
Shadow Maul was already mentioned as probably not making the cut.
Armor:
DS, OG, CoF, DR I can't see them making the cut. Giving DA the ability to stack Stealth+Hide within the set wouldn't be fair to any of the other secondaries... with the exception that DA will probably remain RES based (and Stalkers are better off as DEF based).
I'd be willing to bet that they leave in Soul Transfer.
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Not that I care one way or the other really, but so what if /DA stalkers would be able to grab another stealth power out of their secondary?
It wouldn't stack with stealth from the concealment pool (so no added stealth.
All it would do, would be to allow Stalkers to grab another stealth power without going into the power pools.
Doesn't sound unfair to me for many reasons.
1) It's not like you HAVE to make use of all 4 power pools, and lately I don't see everyone grabbing 4 powerpools anyways.
2) Looking at number 1, Stealth from the concealment pool comes sooner and doesn't require another power to grab it. So the other stalker secondaries aren't really get shafted at all.
3) If DA did get CoD in it, you can always think of it this way...SOUL TRANSFER! While I like Self-Rez's, it sure isn't Elude/Overload/Unstoppable/Kuji-In Retsu/Granite/MoG (though some might argue how good this power is) in greatness. Something Fire/Ice/Dark ATs know all to well. Not only that, you HAVE to have a target to use it. Talk about weak in comparison.
So yeah, it'd be like this...
Player 1) No fair. You don't need to sacrifce a power pool to stack stealth.
Player 2) I know...instead I have to sacrifice a three minute god-mode for it.
Seems fair to me.
BrandX Future Staff Fighter
The BrandX Collection
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If your curious about the stealth cloak of DA being left in just look at the differences between stalkers EA and Brutes EA.
I would not hold your breath on it being left in.
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Well... EA for stalkers was designed first, and then it was altered to be brute-suitable. In that case, Hide was replaced with Energy Cloak, not the other way around.
If DA simply ends up as a gloomy clone of EA, that'd be disappointing.
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Actually Hide was probably replaced by power shield, repulse by energy cloak. But thats beside the point.
Again I would not put bets on cloak of darkness being left in. That one power would make DA significantly more appealing than any of the other sets. Hide+Cloak+Stealth tell me there wouldn't be issues there. Yes I am aware any stalker can get 3 stealth like powers on them, but the third takes another party.
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What the hell are you talking about? Cloak of Darkness can't stack with Stealth.
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Well ok color me stupid .
But it wouldnt require DA stalkers to delve into the stealth pool to achieve the same effect every other stalker has in PvP solo.
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No, like I mentioned in my post after yours, it requires the loss of 3 minute uberness.
BrandX Future Staff Fighter
The BrandX Collection
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_Castle_, weren't you the one to ask for "new" Stalker sets? (i.e. the psychic-dagger set)
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The most popular requests seemed to be:
- Dual Daggers
- Psychic Melee
- Bo/Staffs
- Sais
Even though those last two are horrendously NOT Stalker-like.
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Why does no one ask for a Scythe? Come on, being a grim reaper-esque entity is VERY Stalker-ish.
I have a strong suspicion that they're going to pattern the Dark Armor and Dark Melee Sets off of the existing Energy Melee and Energy Armor Sets. I think there are a lot of parallels between the two.
Dark Strike (Maybe a renamed Set?)
Shadow Punch --> Barrage
Smite --> Energy Punch
New Overhand Dark Attack to Replace Shadow Maul --> Bonesmasher
Assassin's Maul --> Assassin's Strike
Build Up will replace Soul Drain --> Build Up
Placate will replace Taunt --> Placate
Touch of Fear --> Stun
New Attack replaces Soul Drain slot (maybe Shadow Maul since Spines has a cone attack in this slot) --> Energy Transfer
Midnight Grasp will stay the same --> Total Focus
Dark Aura
Hide --> Replaces Death Shroud
Dark Embrace --> Kinetic Shield
Murky Cloud --> Power Shield
Obsidian Shield --> Entropy Shield
Dark Regen will probably get the boot for a passive RES or DEF power against Neg NRG and maybe PSI --> Energy Protection
Cloak of Fear will probably stay. Despite the fact that it's useless in it's current incarnation, it kinda parallels --> Repulse with it's high end cost and limited use (Take that with a grain of salt since I haven't used Repulse yet, ok?).
Dark Consumption --> Energy Drain.
For some reason, i really think they'll move DC to the armor side. Not only does it parallel EA but it frees a spot in the Melee side for another straightforward attack (which I think it will desperately need).
I think they will nix Oppressive Gloom and replace it with Cloak of Darkness --> Conserve Power. I think they will view stackable Stealth effects as worthy of a lvl 35 power. Don't ask why I think that, it's just the impression I get.
Soul Transfer will not be replaced. It has stuck around with every incarnation of Dark Armor and every released Issue. If they replace Soul Transfer, all one hundred Dark Armor scrappers will simultaneously cancel their accounts in protest. This includes me since I've got four toons with Dark Armor
Anyway. That's my totally useless prediction. $.02