Smuggler Archive
Thread: Combat Upgrade and the smuggler...
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Shrendyc
Tue Nov 02, 2004 8:36 am
#1
I've been thinking about this upcoming combat upgrade and how our skill set will be effected. Nearly everything we do has some effect on combat, directly or indirectly. Keep in mind everything below is pure conjecture as we are still waiting on documentation as to what the heck SOE intends to do. (for those cynics out there like me, these documents were due to be issued sometime in september, I believe)
First thing, our combat specials. We have some of the best pistol specials in the game. But from little bits and pieces I've seen from various posts around the boards, this may all change to be a more inclusive specials system that could work with more than one type of weapon. In other words, they may loosen the requirements from a specific marksman and brawler branch to allow for a more diversified group of smugglers. This could be good, but could be bad as we may discover that we no longer have the coolest anything anymore, but a collection of minor specials that don't lend much to combat, let alone our profession. Also in the combat upgrade thread, a developer did mention that they plan on altering where certifications are granted, which may mean that a lot of the better weapons we can use now may get shifted into the pistoleer tree. This leaves us with inferior equipment to use unless we couple with an elite combat profession. I don't know about you, but being stuck with a D-18 because I am a pure smuggler and only have the pistol line of marksman does not appeal to me. (Wes, you may want to look into this.)
Second, slicing. The things we slice are weapons and armor, and those items are directly used in combat. So how will slicing be effected by this upgrade? The developers have stated that they wish to balance the combat system first, then radiate outward to pick up and balance the non-combat professions (which apparently we are lumped into despite 2 trees requiring pistol XP to advance). So what will happen to slicing? Will they still allow us to slice weapons and armor at the current levels? Will they change slicing now in the combat upgrade? Or will slicing be dependent upon our revamp to be altered? If the latter is the case, will slicing in its current form unbalance the combat system and if so, what will they do to it to keep the new system intact?
Third, spices. Spices aren't used much right now, but with some thought put into the revamp, we may see a surge intheir use again. Then again, spices could unbalance things if left in their current state. It would seem to me that if Doc buffs and Chef foods have a direct impact on combat and may be adjusted accordingly, spices should get that too, and if they are adjusted, why not adjust them for the better? But again, why adjust something if they are intending to revamp the whole thing after the combat upgrade? If they decide not to mess with spices, how will they effect the new combat system?
Faction points may or may not have a significant change, so our underworld line will most likely see no change - unless they alter our ability to avoid scans as part of the combat upgrade. But then again, how will we know if they did that since there is no documentation in our boxes to tell us anything about these "newly" granted abilities?
I honestly tried to keep this positive, but given how SOE has treated this profession, there wasn't a lot to work with. Anyway, these are thoughts and concerns on my part. Any feedback is welcome, and anyone who can allay my fears that this combat upgrade is gonna suck (and not in a good way), please feel free to do so. I don't see any good coming to us in the near future, just harm.
SBRD0C
Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:36 am
#2
IMO The 'Combat Upgrade' Will affect us in the changes to Combat specials in our DF tree and in our Pre-Reqs..
Exactly how ambitious the changes will be I do not know,Hopefully we will be well represented by smuggler Alpha, and Beta Testers *crosses fingers*. In the least the Specials will just be adjusted for balance, if they show more ambition they will also change them to work with at least unarmed, or maybe with any weapon, although I wouldn't count on the latter because that would mean also changing our Pre-Reqs to something somehow dynamic, which doesn't seem to be inside the scope of a Combat change.
Slicing I think will only be effected by the fact that maximum weapon and Armor experimentation is likely to be lower than it is now.
To me this suggests that base effectiveness/damage will decrease, and encumbrance/speed mods will increase, effectively making the usefullness of varied slices more balanced. I think slicing will be Indirectly changed for the better despite having not been touched by the devs because now speed/encumbrance slices will be more valuable than they have been in the past, and Damage/effectiveness will still retain value.
I think we are likely to see a shift in Spice Values. Doctor Buffs, I have heard, are definatly being adjusted. HAM Values are Being adjusted. It would be unwise and likely unbalancing to the new System if the devs were to overlook Chef Foods and Spices. I am confident this change will be for the better, as the market for spice can't well go any lower. I do not expect to see changes in expirementation, or to see any new spices, this would be unrelated to combat balance.
If there is any effect in underworld, it will be very slight IMO. The only thing likely to change is the demand for Faction Points as Factional Armor becomes desireable. Other than that I see nothing in Underworld that would be affected. This tree probly won't get any love until our Revamp, or possibly the GCW Revamp.. its anyones guess which comes 1st...
So I conclude that though we aren't being directly modified, many of our issues are likely to be at least inderictly addressed. This is all speculation though, and quite hopeful at that.. I haven't mastered Cynicism yet, perhaps someones can give me some training once I get the AP points.
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