From what I've seen the devs visit the Stalker forum as much as the MM forum.
My guides:Dark Melee/Dark Armor/Soul Mastery, Illusion Control/Kinetics/Primal Forces Mastery, Electric Armor
"Dark Armor is a complete waste as a tanking set."
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Which is rarely? lol Yup, I love my good ole' Merc!
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Originally Posted by Nalrok_AthZim
From what I've seen the devs visit the Stalker forum as much as the MM forum.
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What's left is to normalize all Assassin Strikes and improve Stalker's old sets (Claw, MA and EM)! You don't need to bring back the missing PbAoE attack. You just need to make the existing ones better! For example, make Slice a WIDER and LONGER cone.
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I don't think it's something they would announce. I think it's more of something you want and see.
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Originally Posted by Jibikao
Looks like Stalker is not getting another buff or "fix". I haven't seen any dev posting here at all.
So I guess the data mining must show that Stalkers are doing "ok" in the new zone? I've seen quite a few stalkers. I just don't know how many of them stick with stalkers after lvl 20 or 30. Oh well, right now, I just want them to add critical in epic powers so I can enjoy my throwing star more. Do you think Stalker will get another team buff or no? There are some good ideas around. |
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The BrandX Collection
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I was checking the patches. Yes, I want to see a bit more changes. I am not going to lie. |
Originally Posted by BrandX
I don't think it's something they would announce. I think it's more of something you want and see.
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I just remember Castle mentioned that they will be paying close attention to Stalker's performance when Brute's Fury was changed. There was a discussion about it in that thread. In fact, isn't that "so...stalker" thread carried over here from the test forum?
I brought it up because I see they are advertising for I19 already.
What's left is to normalize all Assassin Strikes and improve Stalker's old sets (Claw, MA and EM)! You don't need to bring back the missing PbAoE attack. You just need to make the existing ones better! For example, make Slice a WIDER and LONGER cone.
the "So Stalker" thread is basically the last we heard.
Note: Devs never posted in there. but it was started after a comment from Castle about "being aware of where Stalkers currently are" and "planning to keep an eye on things"
it's not an exact quote,but that should give us a general idea.
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Yeah...so I am wondering if we'll see any change in I19 or maybe later. I wonder if they have enough data to support either Stalkers need more team-love or not.
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Originally Posted by DMystic
the "So Stalker" thread is basically the last we heard.
Note: Devs never posted in there. but it was started after a comment from Castle about "being aware of where Stalkers currently are" and "planning to keep an eye on things" it's not an exact quote,but that should give us a general idea. |
What's left is to normalize all Assassin Strikes and improve Stalker's old sets (Claw, MA and EM)! You don't need to bring back the missing PbAoE attack. You just need to make the existing ones better! For example, make Slice a WIDER and LONGER cone.
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Wasn't it started more of from the standpoint of Brutes and Scrappers are more survivalable and do more damage than Stalkers, because before Brutes did more damage and were more survivable than Scrappers?|
Originally Posted by Jibikao
Yeah...so I am wondering if we'll see any change in I19 or maybe later. I wonder if they have enough data to support either Stalkers need more team-love or not.
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Personally, I don't see a teamming issue per se. You bring a Stalker to the team for what you would bring a Scrapper to the team for...Damage!
At least, I've never looked at bringing a Stalker to the team for Crowd Control or debuffs.
That said, I'm not to sure more damage will work, because of PvP. Playing my Stalker, I still haven't seen Assassin Strike make a noticable increase in DPS, over using the best DPS string I have.
What I have noticed is my Stalker is less survivable than a Scrapper (due to less health), and seems to be doing less damage.
However, barring a few different enemies, and noticing that quite a few AVs seem to have the +perception to see through Hide + Stealth IO, my Stalker does stealth missions better (though my Scrappers tended to beable to just run through them with no worry anyways).
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My guess is that once most of the bigger bugs from I18 were squashed, the devs worked to rush out I19 ASAP to get the alpha slot in the players' hands. It was promised with GR so they surely want to get it out quickly. I think it's unrealistic to expect any Stalker changes to get squeezed into a rush job like that.
Considering that they are usually planning at least a couple issues in advance at all times, it seems likely that I20 is already solidified enough that there will be no room for any Stalker changes there either.
If we see anything before I21 I'll be surprised.
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And this is the problem. |
Originally Posted by BrandX
What I have noticed is my Stalker is less survivable than a Scrapper (due to less health), and seems to be doing less damage. |
Which also translates onto teams. Since the Stalker has less health and does less damage than a Scrapper there is no reason to go looking for a Stalker, and less reason to grab one for your team since you can just grab a Scrapper for more damage and a better Off Tank.
Brutes received their changes because they were able to out damage and out survive scrappers. Now a Brute is unlikely to out damage a Scrapper, but that Brute will survive more than a Scrapper could.
Something similar needs to happen for Stalkers.
Currently a Stalker barely out damages a Scrapper, at the damage cap and with 7 teammates within arm's reach.
So at the Stalkers Maximum output they barely out damage a Scrapper.
That's messed up and I really do hope Stalkers see some changes(hopefully not to survivability though).
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Damn... that means another 6 months? Oh well... I just want them to fix epic powers then. I want to critical with them. That's not too much to ask for right? I made a semi-range build with Focused Burst and throwing star.
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Originally Posted by Supernumiphone
My guess is that once most of the bigger bugs from I18 were squashed, the devs worked to rush out I19 ASAP to get the alpha slot in the players' hands. It was promised with GR so they surely want to get it out quickly. I think it's unrealistic to expect any Stalker changes to get squeezed into a rush job like that.
Considering that they are usually planning at least a couple issues in advance at all times, it seems likely that I20 is already solidified enough that there will be no room for any Stalker changes there either. If we see anything before I21 I'll be surprised. |
What's left is to normalize all Assassin Strikes and improve Stalker's old sets (Claw, MA and EM)! You don't need to bring back the missing PbAoE attack. You just need to make the existing ones better! For example, make Slice a WIDER and LONGER cone.
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Well, no guarantees, but it's not impossible for it to be sooner. Not sure about I19, depending on how big of an adjustment Castle aims for, but he can do a lot in an issue if he has time to do it. He posted about looking into Fiery Aura just a couple of months before GR came out (I believe), and there were some fairly significant upgrades for that one powerset.|
Originally Posted by Supernumiphone
My guess is that once most of the bigger bugs from I18 were squashed, the devs worked to rush out I19 ASAP to get the alpha slot in the players' hands. It was promised with GR so they surely want to get it out quickly. I think it's unrealistic to expect any Stalker changes to get squeezed into a rush job like that.
Considering that they are usually planning at least a couple issues in advance at all times, it seems likely that I20 is already solidified enough that there will be no room for any Stalker changes there either. If we see anything before I21 I'll be surprised. |
Figuring out what to do with an AT is probably more tricky, of course, but I never discount what can be in an issue until I see the specific notes about what it will do. The previews often leave things out, especially changes to powersets (good or bad).
Guide: Tanking, Wall of Fire Style (Updated for I19!), and the Four Rules of Tanking
Story Arc: Belated Justice, #88003
Synopsis: Explore the fine line between justice and vengeance as you help a hero of Talos Island bring his friend's murderer to justice.
Grey Pilgrim: Fire/Fire Tanker (50), Victory
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Originally Posted by DMystic
And this is the problem.
Which also translates onto teams. Since the Stalker has less health and does less damage than a Scrapper there is no reason to go looking for a Stalker, and less reason to grab one for your team since you can just grab a Scrapper for more damage and a better Off Tank. Brutes received their changes because they were able to out damage and out survive scrappers. Now a Brute is unlikely to out damage a Scrapper, but that Brute will survive more than a Scrapper could. Something similar needs to happen for Stalkers. Currently a Stalker barely out damages a Scrapper, at the damage cap and with 7 teammates within arm's reach. So at the Stalkers Maximum output they barely out damage a Scrapper. That's messed up and I really do hope Stalkers see some changes(hopefully not to survivability though). |
One thing I've noticed with my lvl 25 Martial Arts Scrapper is that damage buffs on me make a huge difference, more noticeable than on stalker. Scrapper's base damage is so high. This is my first serious Scrapper. I just want to see if Scrapper > Stalker is just "grass is greener" mentality. This means Stalker gets more critical rate on a team while Scrapper gets more benefit from damage buffs. And Stalker's critical rate can be inconsistent because 30' radius is not very big.
Well, at lvl 26, I'll get Dragon Tail so I'll have at least one aoe that my Stalker won't have. :P
Another thing I've noticed is that my Scrapper can almost take down bosses for the whole build up duration, which is only a bit less than Stalker with Build Up + Assassin. My Stalker dies less because he draws way less aggro than Scrapper, which makes sense to me. But then again, survival issue is never my complain on Stalkers. I am used to playing fragile characters like Dominator.
What's left is to normalize all Assassin Strikes and improve Stalker's old sets (Claw, MA and EM)! You don't need to bring back the missing PbAoE attack. You just need to make the existing ones better! For example, make Slice a WIDER and LONGER cone.
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Castle has surprised me in the past with some of the things he's managed to squeeze into an issue, seemingly at the last minute. So I agree it's not impossible. I'd still be willing to bet real money it won't happen for I19. My guess is that for Stalker changes to get shoehorned into I20 they would have to be fairly high priority. Is that the case? I doubt it. I think there's a general consensus that Stalkers could use some tweaks, but the perceived imbalance is not so great that it requires immediate attention.
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Originally Posted by Grey Pilgrim
Well, no guarantees, but it's not impossible for it to be sooner.
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I20 seems a fair guess.
I suppose it will all depend on what happens in I19 and how things go with the Incarnate TFs.
Lets just say I got an idea on how to get an answer to this.
Bump and Grind Bane/SoA
Kenja No Ishi Earth/Empathy Controller
Legendary Sannin Ninja/Pain Mastermind
Entoxicated Ninja/PSN Mastermind
Ninja Ryukenden Kat/WP Scrapper
Hellish Thoughts Fire/PSI Dominator
Thank You Devs for Merits!!!!
I19: In order to address QQ from their respective forum communities, Blizzard and Paragon announce a trade. Stalkers become Rogues, and Rogues become Stalkers.
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This is really dumb.|
Originally Posted by DMystic
Which also translates onto teams. Since the Stalker has less health and does less damage than a Scrapper there is no reason to go looking for a Stalker, and less reason to grab one for your team since you can just grab a Scrapper for more damage and a better Off Tank.
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The truth is that during leveling any AT is preferable to nothing which is often the case. It's never an either/or situation, you can have the scrapper (assuming they aren't soloing like always) and the stalker (assuming they aren't soloing missions like always).
External concerns do skew the effectiveness though, as most stalkers are the assassin strike every 8 seconds and don't do anything else new (or bad) players make up a significant majority of the population of the AT.
It becomes either or when grabbing people for TF's and Trials.
You're forming a team for Posi 1 and 2
You have 7 people already,and the spread of abilities covers all the essentials, you broadcast room for 1 more, a scrapper and a stalker both express an interest. Which do you take?
Can you honestly say you would take the Stalker?
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I take the one who sent me the tell first, truthfully.|
Originally Posted by DMystic
It becomes either or when grabbing people for TF's and Trials.
You're forming a team for Posi 1 and 2 You have 7 people already,and the spread of abilities covers all the essentials, you broadcast room for 1 more, a scrapper and a stalker both express an interest. Which do you take? Can you honestly say you would take the Stalker? |
But then, I've every TF there is, as melee only (the shadow shard TFs with just melee and blasters)
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The inherent fitness is a stalker buff imho.
Stalker builds are some of the tightest builds I have ever done.
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Who's playing it? Is it someone I know is incapable of playing with a team? If so, I'd skip them no matter what they play, otherwise I'd be fine taking the Stalker, yes. |
Originally Posted by DMystic
Can you honestly say you would take the Stalker?
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Originally Posted by all_hell
The inherent fitness is a stalker buff imho.
Stalker builds are some of the tightest builds I have ever done. |
I know you would Memphis.I've seen you in enough of these discussions to realize that you and a few other people on these forums would take a stalker on their team.
For the purposes of this situation you don't know either the stalker or the scrapper.
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Who asks first? That's the first person I'm replying to, if I don't know either one.|
Originally Posted by DMystic
I know you would Memphis.I've seen you in enough of these discussions to realize that you and a few other people on these forums would take a stalker on their team.
For the purposes of this situation you don't know either the stalker or the scrapper. |
The point being, I don't *care.* I'm not pro- or anti-AT. Yes, even when it comes to VEATs. I may not want to *play* them, but it won't make me ignore them if I'm throwing a team together and one says "Can I join?" I'm not throwing together a "zomg we must have 95875 DPS through the whole thing/finish in 5 minutes/nobody can die." I'm throwing together something to have *fun* with.
Well ideally it would be within a millisecond of each other, essentially the same time. Of course that never happens in game but for this situation to work it would have to be the same time.
Basically Scrapper or Stalker with all other things being even.
EDIT: Responding to Bills second paragraph
Again I realize you and several other posters absolutely do not care what AT is on the team as long as everyone is having fun.
Looks like Stalker is not getting another buff or "fix". I haven't seen any dev posting here at all.
So I guess the data mining must show that Stalkers are doing "ok" in the new zone? I've seen quite a few stalkers. I just don't know how many of them stick with stalkers after lvl 20 or 30.
Oh well, right now, I just want them to add critical in epic powers so I can enjoy my throwing star more.
Do you think Stalker will get another team buff or no? There are some good ideas around.
What's left is to normalize all Assassin Strikes and improve Stalker's old sets (Claw, MA and EM)! You don't need to bring back the missing PbAoE attack. You just need to make the existing ones better! For example, make Slice a WIDER and LONGER cone.