New to Stalkers but...

It's not random, only the mag 4 fear is random at a 25(or something)% chance to occur. The -ToHit is autohit...so long as the target of the AS survives.

Couldn't they have made it a self-granting temp power, though? Like, instead of granting the target a demoralize 'temp power' that then affects all within range of him, why not just grant it to yourself everytime you pull of an AS? Just make it not affect self. I'm sure they tried this already, I just want to know why it didn't work.

I have played an SR Stalker to 50, and never had an issue with ASing except when faced with KoA (Caltrops) or sometimes enemies that use burn patches. And to me, those are acceptable, albeit annoying, exceptions. I don't use set IOs. All he has are SOs and Common IOs. So, I see your anecdotal evidence, and disprove it with my own anecdotal evidence.

Also, I am currently leveling a Nin Stalker, and have not had any problems with him either.

And as for being invited to SFs? I have found many teams glad to have me, if not for my combat ability (haha) than for Stealth. It is nice to have on many SFs.

What I can agree with you on is that there are issues with a Stalker running Resist based Armors. Simply put, I will not play one. After this current stalker hits 50, I will likely give up on Stalker-ing until another good Defense set comes along for them.

NEVER? So you mean to tell me at no time while leveling up your SR Stalker did you have a single issue of being interrupted while ASing in a large melee setting (remember we are talking about being on a team not solo)? I find that simply incredulous.

I guess you skipped over the part...(which "usually" means set IO's)...I'm certain an SR has a much easier time capping defense without set IO's than any of the resist sets. And you admit yourself that you wouldn't play a resist based armor set on a Stalker...so how's that increased damage output working out for them?

The easy fix is to remove the interuptabilty of AS in PvE. It still has a long cast time and rooting animation to balance out the high damage value. The only thing this change would do is allow Stalkers (read ALL Stalkers not just the capped out defense based armors) the OPTION of using AS/Placate in a large melee environment.

I thought the same thing myself when I read this. Why not just have an effect centered on the Stalker triggered by a succesful attack?

That's not what I said. I didn't say "I never got interrupted, while trying to AS." I said that I (me) never had an issue with it. AKA, I never felt it was a problem.

Also, I guess you skipped over the part where I immeadiately gave an exception after saying "never." Seriously, though, I suppose I should spell out what I meant: I have never had such an issue with ASing a target that I have grown frustrated enough to switch to a different character, or make a plee for change on the forums. And, for the record, I was talking about large teams, as that was the focus of the discussion, wasn't it?

(Also, I don't think "incredulous" means what you think it does, or at least isn't the part of speach you think it is.)

Ummm, by much easier, you must mean "still impossible." Unless you know a way to run [Elude] perma without IOs. SRs get very good defensive numbers with just SOs, but they don't hit 45% without some serious outside-the-Secondary influences. In fact, I am not sure it is possible (someone with Mids, please check on that).

With regard to the not playing of a Resistance Based Armor Stalker? Well, it has a lot more to do with their lowish HP, and not much at all to do with whether or not I can pull off an AS or not. For a Defense character, the magnitude of the hit is irrelevent if it doesn't hit. For a Resistance character? The magnatude is ALWAYS relevant. That difference right there keeps me away from them. It is also why I don't like playing Blasters all that much (not much protection). Unfortunately, in this game, Defence will almost always trump Resistance, it's just how it is. I don't see that changing for Stalkers (or anything else) in the nearish future.

Though it may not be the best fix. Or a needed fix. Also, it is odd that you keep making it seem like the only Stalker that can use AS is one sitting at 45% Defense. This is hyperbole, plain and simple.

Also, how do you know if it is an "easy" fix (insert Standard Code Rant here). Lastly, allow me to be as literal in the interpretation of your post as you were of mine. Does the button for AS on a Resistance Stalker disappear when it enters combat? No? Are you sure? Yes. Then all Stalkers do have the option to use AS, now don't they?