Spinning Strike ranges too low

Not to nitpick the OP, but Lotus drop does not do about the same dmg as Spinning strike. At combo lvl 0 Spinning strike does more dmg and at lvl 3 it does a ton more dmg.

I've really noticed a trend on the forums when comparing Street Justice powers vs. other sets, people never use the combo lvl dmg, but always the base.

The animation for SS sure doesn't look like a PBAoE. I really like it the way it is, other than the fact that TAoE sets really, really suck.

I put ragnarok in it.

To be quite honest, the only time where Sweeping Strikes' TAoE seems to be a detriment is with herding Tankers, where you're practically guaranteed to get surrounded eventually on all sides.

As a Brute or Scrapper (or Stalker), you can afford to work your way "through" a crowd, instead of jumping in the middle of one, and considering the damage output of those ATs as opposed to that of a Tanker, most enemies won't be standing long enough to really surround you, or can be pulled back into a clump with a short step back.

When it comes to total DPS delivered as a set, I'd say StJ ultimately ends up right where it ought to be, which is pretty high up the scale, if played to its strengths.

I'm also simply glad that I don't have to wait 32 levels to get an AoE that is hard hitting and effective.

Anyone would be foolish to not want an extra foot of range if there are no penalties required to get it, but I'm honestly fine with it.

As for TAoE vs. PbAoE, there are times when you'll want one or the other, depending on the layout of enemies. You want always have enemies surrounding you, and you won't always have enemies in front of you. Ultimately, that part is a wash. And anyone who says that they "always" get their enemies in a certain position is either a) having a case of selective memory or b) spending way too much time aiming, and thus losing out on DPS (by not choosing another attack or just using the AoE as is) anyway.

The animation does not account for enemies behind you. Neither the backhand or the kick of 360° but are larger than 180°. Thus, I don't think a PbAoE is appropriate.

Assuming enough targets, both TAoE and PbAoE can saturate rather easily. They are for all intents and purposes no better or worse off, target-wise, assuming the same radius and target caps. Both have to, essentially, account for the player taking up space (at least at melee ranges), the only difference being the origin point of the attack.

If people want to argue that Sweeping Strikes is underpowered, and should be 7" instead of 6", I suppose that's fine, though considering that if aimed properly, a TAoE could essentially not include the player's space (or significantly less) at a 6" radius. I'm not much for arguing adding the extra 1" to the radius (it'd be nice but I don't think there's a problem with it).

What I don't get is why the lower target cap? It's already got a lower radius, why even bother with a lower target cap?

The power itself delivers good damage on good recharge and endurance usage. It also delivers this at a reasonable tier with the possibility of more than its base damage via the combo system. The entire set is pretty hard-hitting, too, at least when played appropriately.

If the smaller radius and target cap is the price that needs to be paid for all that, then so be it. The question is and has always been (with every set) is the set as a whole balanced? The large consensus seems to be yes.

What people are mostly complaining about is that the AoE is relatively limited (though far superior to many other sets) in what is a mainly AoE-centric game.

Looking at most similar sets, however, shows that StJ does better than most in being able to hit multiple enemies or take down enemies in a faster than average succession. It is not the best, but it is certainly above average.

Ah, I stand corrected. I never did bother to check myself, and read somewhere that it had a lower target cap. Thanks for the correction.