NINJA ASSAULT (Stalker Primary Idea)

The following Stalker Primary powerset was inspired by several recent threads including an interesting one started by Leo_G here;

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=237766

With this powerset I am attempting to capture a Ninja assault set full of tactics and visually appealing animations. It would require new tech within the game, and may seem to be a hybrid Ranged/Melee set, but next to sets like Dark Armor and Ninjitsu, I think it would fit the bill as a versatile and unique "controllery" primary with many possibilities.

So, without further ado: NINJA ASSAULT

The following powers are not in order, but arranged simply for presentation. Consider how they would interact with each other and in-game playstyle tactics.

The basics:

This is a dual handed weapon set, but due to the nature of the animations, the weapons would be small "fist-style" weapons like ; Claws, Knuckle-dusters, Punching Daggers, Cestus, Reverse Grip Kamas (Mantis Blades), Bo-Sticks (with Baton-style grips), etc...

The Powers:

(1) Placate : Standard Stalker power

(2) Assassin Strike : Animation and effect just as Dual-Blade version. Another standard Stalker power

(3) Ninja Barrage : 1-2 Punch attack with good damage, recharge, and animation similar to Energy's Barrage power. Tier 1 or Tier 2. Since the powerset is light on melee single targets, this power should require a minimum of recharge bonus to tighten up an attack chain.

(4) Ninja Fury : A flurry of blows using either the Shadow Maul or 1K-Cuts animation. This long-ish animation should come with a very good DPA/DPE ratio and together with Ninja Barrage should form the core melee assault of the powerset. This should NOT be an AoE like Shadow Maul due to the other powers I am presenting here (which include 2 AoE powers).

(5) Crane Kick : Straight copy of the Martial Arts attack with great damage and knockback. Alternate animations should include the Storm Kick option to allow the player to better customize their assault style.

(6) Dragon's Tail : Straight copy of the Martial Arts attack with similar damage activation and effect. This is one of 2 AoE attacks, but due to the lower damage of the AoE powers would not make the set an AoE powerhouse, but simply add AoE capabilities that combine damage and mitigation. Refer to the next power for comparison.

(7) Ankle Chains : Using the ball lightning animation you throw several spinning ball-and-chains in a cone at your enemies lower legs. These should do damage similar to (or less than) the Dragon's tail attack above, but in a 90deg cone with a medium range 30-40 feet. The damage could be a dot or single hit and have high magnitude (Mag 3 min) immobilze as well as NO -KB protection (refer to the next power for the reason why).

(8) Tow Line : Using a two handed animation, you throw a line that wraps around the neck of your target and applies a reverse knock back effect. Normal KB attacks push the target away from the caster, but what I envision is that the target is knocked toward the caster. Where they land is un-important, but this power and Crane Kick are the reason that "Ankle-Chains" should not have a Knockback protection component. Consider the 1-2 effect of ; Ankle Chains + Tow Line, followed by : Barrage + Fury + Crane Kick. "Did that Hurt ? It sure looked like it hurt." Placate + Assassin Strike/Shadow Step.

(9) Shadow Step : What is it ? The signature move of a true Ninja. You animate in a half-turn plus a fade-away/smoke-cloud effect, and reappear next to your target cmpleting the attack with the two-handed "ripping" attack from Claws/Thorns (minus the somersault). The range should be the same as Ankle Chains (30-40feet) and would involve some clever coding for line-of-sight and teleport options. Because of the combination of Half-turn+Fade to Grey+Eviscerate the animation would be rather longish so the damage and critical chance should be similar to Eagle's Claw. Your weapons would be visible in this attack.

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BIOSPARK :: DARKTHORN :: SKYGUARD :: WILDMAGE
HEATSINK :: FASTHAND :: POWERCELL :: RUNESTAFF

Not that I mind MOAR Ninja in the game, I just see the set as you've outlined it is a) recycling other sets already available to a Stalker (albeit mixed up a bit) and b) attempting to do something that is hard/impossible to code.

Trust me, I love the teleport-attack idea in general, but it's just not doable (Shield Charge was originally going to do something similar). KB TO a caster is, as far as I recall, also challenging if not impossible to implement with the current game engine.

Note: This belongs in the suggestions forum.

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Moved thread to Suggestions forum. Thanks for your input

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BIOSPARK :: DARKTHORN :: SKYGUARD :: WILDMAGE
HEATSINK :: FASTHAND :: POWERCELL :: RUNESTAFF