Least used Powers from a Powerset
While it would be interesting to learn this info from a trivia point of view I think the idea of the Devs using it to "rework" the least used powers is a slippery slope for at least two reasons.
First of all I'm sure there are people out there who not only use the "least" used powers as they are but probably even like the way that they work now. No real point upsetting players by changing powers that have been in place for many years just on the theory that you "might" motivate other people to try them.
The other point is that no matter how much effort the Devs put into fixing the "worst" powers there's always going to be SOME powers out there considered the "worst" powers. You're never going to have a situation where there isn't something on the bottom of any list you come up with. Surely the Devs efforts can be used elsewhere to not chase their own tails with this.
The answer is to have the Devs come up with new powersets, not waste time reworking old ones.
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I am not sure this will lead to any thing useful. Off the top of my head, these so called least used powers are very situational. Players have found a use but the content in the game doesn't give enough opportunity to use them. They still work just fine as is.
Also I think of things like granite in stone vs. the other powers in that set. Would they need to changed or granite?
What about snipes? I have dropped for me, but they still can be used.
And sure many other cases can be made.
I am sure the cottage rule will be brought up too.
... of course, at this point, that entire powerset needs to be reworked, so take that with a grain of salt.

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Bit of history:
Not all that long ago, at least to me, the devs decided to rework patron pools. They'd noticed some powers being 'unpopular' and decided to replace them. That didn't go over so well - for instance, my Ice/Psy/Mace dom was going to have the Mace AOE replaced by something completely useless to me, PFF. Every change irritated someone. End result? 5 powers in the PPPs.
As far as the OP, well, the devs don't have to "start" datamining. They've got the data already, and can and will use it if/when they decide to look at a powerset, giving it more weight than the general noise on the forums.

The Handclap and clones would be right up there as well.
Considering they're on melee characters, characters who have things like Auras which actually give benefits to having large groups of people in melee range (Invincibility, Against all odds etc.) OR have a damage aura (Static field, Blazing Aura etc.) having an attack which does Knockback really doesn't mesh well with actual mechanics of the ATs using them.
The Bruiser MM version got changed to a Knockdown so why not do it for all the rest. In my 4+ years playing I honestly don't think I've seen someone take Handclap or one of the clones, actually rarely, they're used as a set mule for purples (Lightning clap has access to the 2nd cheapest purple set of all, Stun, only the Sleep purple set is cheaper).
...In my 4+ years playing I honestly don't think I've seen someone take Handclap or one of the clones...
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Not sure I'd recommend it if you're slot starved, but if you have spare room, it's surprisingly, if situationaly, useful.
If a player were to take and use those powers, they can use it to position enemies where they want them. A mastermind pet is not capable of that kind of forethought about using a power.
Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison See, it's gems like these that make me check Claws' post history every once in a while to make sure I haven't missed anything good lately. |
Recently, with slots free due to fitness, I took Handclap on my SS Brute just as a fill in Power, and I've taken to really pushing the envelope when soloing and to my surprise I've been using it more often than I thought I would. If a cascading defense failure ( or some other crisis ), Handclap does a pretty good job of clearing things out and giving me some time and breathing room to recover.
Not sure I'd recommend it if you're slot starved, but if you have spare room, it's surprisingly, if situationaly, useful. |

The Handclap and clones would be right up there as well.
Considering they're on melee characters, characters who have things like Auras which actually give benefits to having large groups of people in melee range (Invincibility, Against all odds etc.) OR have a damage aura (Static field, Blazing Aura etc.) having an attack which does Knockback really doesn't mesh well with actual mechanics of the ATs using them. |
The Bruiser MM version got changed to a Knockdown so why not do it for all the rest. In my 4+ years playing I honestly don't think I've seen someone take Handclap or one of the clones, actually rarely, they're used as a set mule for purples (Lightning clap has access to the 2nd cheapest purple set of all, Stun, only the Sleep purple set is cheaper). |
While everyone here has a valid reason for Handclap.
Admit it, how many times have you actually seen it used ingame or seen it suggested that people take it in any of the powerset guides?
So yes it does come under the heading of least used power, just because there is a use for it does not mean that it actually gets used.
While everyone here has a valid reason for Handclap.
Admit it, how many times have you actually seen it used ingame or seen it suggested that people take it in any of the powerset guides? So yes it does come under the heading of least used power, just because there is a use for it does not mean that it actually gets used. |
(B) I take and use things like Dimension Shift and Black Hole, Yet, if you were teaming with me, you may never see them used. I tend to use powers to different amounts when I'm teamed vs solo. In fact, they may not be ON my team build. Just because you're not seeing them used teamed (where, after all, that tank may not hit that situation - again, "situational power,") doesn't mean they don't use it on smaller teams or when solo.
AoE Intangibility Powers (Gravity's Dimension Shift and Dark's Blackhole) would be at the top of the list.
Here's what I would do to improve them WITHOUT breaking the Cottage Rule.

The devs are always releasing stats on which AT is played the most, least etc.. But I want to know what are the least popular powers being used. All in all this could be used by the devs to determine why the powers are not being used, and maybe rework them.
I know "Time Bomb" drom Device and Traps would be on that list. And most "pure" stun powers.
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