Least used Powers from a Powerset


Blood_Beret

 

Posted

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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Posted

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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Posted

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.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blood_Beret View Post
And most "pure" stun powers.
I take--and use--the Stun power in Energy Melee.

... of course, at this point, that entire powerset needs to be reworked, so take that with a grain of salt.


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Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by PennyPA View Post
I am sure the cottage rule will be brought up too.
A power can be reworked without violating the cottage rule. For example, Energize gained a heal while retaining its original purpose of an END discount, and Temperature Protection (formerly a "free power pick" as there was no real reason to grab it) in Fiery Aura got Slow/-Rech protection.

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. I doubt they'll release that info, but yes, time bomb needs a bit of love, as does poison trap in MM's /poison set.


 

Posted

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).


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr_Mechano View Post
...In my 4+ years playing I honestly don't think I've seen someone take Handclap or one of the clones...
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.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr_Mechano View Post

The Bruiser MM version got changed to a Knockdown
The Bruiser version got changed to Knockdown because pet AI is incapable of using it strategically.

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.


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Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Socorro View Post
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.
Yeah. I know knockback is reviled, but used well, Handclap can be a VERY helpful power for crowd control. It DOES go against the natural strategy of clustering together, depending on when and where you use it, but the power comes back fast and has a reasonable chance to stun. I use it teamed with my wife's energy/energy blaster, so there's already so much knockback going on that a little more doesn't really hurt much.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr_Mechano View Post
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.
"Situational power." Such as "All these cold users are in melee and slowing down my recharge, I can't heal. *Hand clap, get several seconds to do what you need before regathering.*

Quote:
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 you may be looking only at melee, don't forget they ARE also on some squishies (Elec manip comes to mind.)


 

Posted

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.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr_Mechano View Post
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.
(A) How many people actually use the forums? Might as well ask in a coffeeshop for opinions and say that's what the rest of New York thinks.

(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.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill View Post
...I tend to use powers to different amounts when I'm teamed vs solo...
*This* On teams I never use Handclap. Solo (which I do fair amount of) I've taken to using it if I'm about to bite it. It has saved me more than once. I certainly use it more than I do Taunt when soloing.