Signalrunner

I don't strictly follow this but typically as an opener for groups I find myself doing: Build Up->Burst->Build Up (if the Build Up reset ATO procs)->AS on a Lt/Boss (to potentially proc Hide)->Ball Lightning (this can be another another epic pool AOE like Fire Ball)->Build Up again (if ATO resets it)->ST chain on a Lt/Boss until next Burst. I rinse repeat and start cutting away to a more single target chain when the herd thins. The build up resets can get real addicting in larger groups. If you don't have an Epic/Patron power pool AOE, that's fine- you can run a single target chain until next Burst with AS preceding (to try to get Burst crit from hide). KM/Ice is solid 👍 Hoarfrost and Icy Bastion should make for a pretty tanky Stalker.

An optimal single target attack chain is just that. It doesn't mean don't use Burst or Focused Burst. It means, here how you kill stuff faster when Burst is recharging or you're down to 1 or 2 enemies since you brought up some key complaints of general slowness. By all means, you should absolutely be using Burst during AOE situations- it's one of the best melee AoEs in the game since the Stalker version has 100% (instead of 50%) chance to crit from Hide. Likewise for Focused Burst when you can take advantage of the ranged component. Sorry if the advice sounded rigid! I only meant to address your original complaints of slowness in one of the fastest melee sets in the game. Opportunity and build freedom comes in different forms! I personally played 1-50 twice on original live and HC with a KM/EnA Stalker and I found the lvl 32 power to be extremely lacking after taking it both times. A near 3 second long attack (that doesn't crit) felt absolutely shackling and I was glad to be rid of it. Plus dropping Concentrated Strike frees you up of more power pool picks. I discovered it for myself (then found others did too) and it really didn't feel cookie cutter to be honest, felt the opposite since I broke past the game's prescribed method. It depends on how you look at it! Absolutely feel free to try out the lvl 32 power and all KM has to offer and reach your own conclusion.

@Aeroprism I noticed you skipped Quick Strike which robs you of a smooth attack chain. One of KM's greatest strengths is that it comes online to its full attack chain very early on at lvl 6. Quick Strike, Body Blow, Smashing Blow, and AS are all necessary for that. Your unhidden single target attack chain should look something like: Body Blow-Quick Strike-AS-Smashing Blow (with Quick Strike as filler for any gaps) Having Quick Strike fills out gaps where you're left waiting and adds additional chance for you to generate Assassin's Focus (for that sweet +33% AS crit chance). Hope that helps!

Bumping this to add: This also happens with "fast" AS while unhidden if you don't have your Staff drawn. To add, the hit numbers and visual effects don't align properly with the animation because of this issue- they appear shortly after. Crossed out the above- It doesn't seem to be the case for un-hidden AS after recent testing. I believe giving Staff the treatment Katana and Titan Weapons received would fix two issues: -The delayed weapon draw and mistimed AS effect mentioned in this thread -Staff weapon always having to be re-drawn after using a non-Staff power (e.g. Hasten, Ball Lightning, etc)

I want only two things if Minimal / Alt animations proliferated to everything is too broad: Minimal/alternate FX for all of Bio (looking at you, Ablative Carapace). Spinning Kick animation proliferated to Martial Arts Storm Kick on Melee ATs at the very least.

Staff/SR Stalker Testing All Pylon times are with T4 Musc Core/T3 Degen -HP only/T4 Hybrid Core passive. Leadership Assault toggled on. My only epic power is Physical Perfection from Weapon Mastery. Serpent's Reach-Precise Strike-Assassin's Staff-Sky Splitter 2:53 3:13 - sloppy start -Didn't record further than this because I wasn't impressed with the DPS in a few extra half runs Guarded Spin-Precise Strike-Assassin's Staff-Sky Splitter / Guarded Spin with -Res + 4 damage procs (98% dmg enh value) 2:55 2:42 2:47 2:20 2:31 2:32 Mercurial Blow-Serpent's Reach-Assassin's Staff-Sky Splitter / Mercurial with -Res + 4 damage procs (110% dmg enh value) 2:48 2:32 2:52 2:34 Guarded vs Mercurial chains seem close enough DPS-wise, however Guarded offers two added benefits: 1. Perma +DEF buffs from GS since it's now part of the main attack chain. 2. On average, more Build Up reset ATO procs for non-Pylon content since the idea is you'll be hitting more enemies with GS built in to your chain.

After some pylon testing on my Staff/SR, I've found an attack chain with Guarded Spin + Fury of the Gladiator -Res proc outputs higher DPS than the chain I mentioned above. So does having Mercurial Blow -res for that matter. All pylon times are with T4 Musc/T3 Degen/T4 Hybrid Core passive. Leadership Assault on. My only epic power pool is Physical Perfection from Weapon Mastery. Serpent's Reach-Precise Strike-Assassin's-Sky Splitter 2:53 3:13 - sloppy start -Didn't record further than this because I wasn't impressed with the DPS in a few half runs Guarded Spin-Precise Strike-Assassin's Staff-Sky Splitter / Guarded Spin with -Res + 4 damage procs (98% dmg enh value) 2:55 2:42 2:47 2:20 2:31 2:32 Mercurial Blow-Serpent's Reach-Assassin's Staff-Sky Splitter / Mercurial with -Res + 4 damage procs (110% dmg enh value) 2:48 2:32 2:52 2:34 Guarded vs Mercurial seem close enough when comparing DPS, however the GS attack chain offers two added benefits: 1. Perma +DEF buffs from GS since it's now part of the main attack chain. 2. More Build Up reset procs on average in non-pylon content since the idea is you'll be hitting more enemies with a GS built in to your chain.

Lowest DPA in the set and quick recharge (lower Achilles proc rate and chance of building Assassin's Focus) makes Mercurial a skip later on. Serpent's Reach-Precise Strike-Assassin's-Sky Splitter is the attack chain you want to reach for. It's the sweet spot for maximizing chances of reaching 3 stacks of both Assassin's Focus and Form of the Body for spending.

For high recharge builds: AS-Smashing Blow-Quick Strike-Body Blow is a good chain. Add another Quick Strike after Body Blow if your recharge isn't quite there. You can also throw a Snipe from the Mu or Soul Patron pools into the chain, although that increases endurance usage.