Troo

Well you agree the faster Energy Transfer is nice, don't you? You agree a quicker Total Focus is a benefit? You agree that Stun was a largely skipped power? (I used it but understand if others didn't, slow and utility power) Adjustments to Energy Power and Bone Smash are a nice surprise.. etc.. We probably agree about more than we disagree on.

I appreciate your putting the positions out there with the opportunity to clarify. Your assessment of my position is off. I am NOT locked into pre-nerf Energy Melee. (but I absolutely would take it over what's live now and as soon as possible) It did seem that reverting that nerf would be simpler, less work and something that could be immediately implemented. THEN down the road after more pressing needs have been addressed, maybe we could look at some minor adjustments. In the meantime it would at least be playable in the current meta. That's not the path that was taken. I am now looking at the current beta (which isn't page 6 but Issue 27). Looking at the good, the bad, and the ugly that this proposed Energy Melee represents (which will go through changes and adjustments). I am also weighing the possibility of this going Dark Melee and getting shelved. Taking a set and overreaching has not gone so well in the recent past. I gave Energy Assault a try on three characters, I did not like it, it was definitely not Energy Melee. It is something else. Somethings that stood out: In Energy Melee, Total Focus is a T9 finisher, not the central power things key off of. I don't use a mouse to select attacks and found myself wasting the combo too much (once or twice is too much). It required my checking the power tray constantly. I would be ecstatic with all the changes minus the new combo mechanic if it included a full time fast Energy Transfer. Who wouldn't? Oh, the folks that want a combo mechanic... So that's what it appears to be boiling down to for me. Let's revert some changes that are no longer relevant (speed up some animations, fix AoE) -vs- Combo Mechanic. I'm trying to wrap up some test and will have specifics later.

Interesting. I think I agree that you are correct that melee and AoEs play pretty nice together as you've described. Cones though do not. There is a workaround to jump straight up before activating a cone which can effectively turn it into a AoE. Not a big deal for elite or experienced melee players but could be an issue for new or casual players. I think there is a 'behind the scenes' reason for it being a cone instead of PBAoE beyond just making all sets the same. There can be synergies with multiple cones in a power set, that is not absurd. Lone cone attacks can be a bit wonky to get the right position and distance to maximize number of targets. Not a huge deal.

The use of the term 'hyperbole' above is ironic. Rage is a mechanic. It is also a mechanic that in it's current form not everyone is in love with. Self +Damage, +To-Hit, Delayed Self -Defense(All), -Damage, Special Parry is also a game mechanic. There are many, many mechanics in the game. That @Replacementdoesn't know, doesn't realize or refutes this is.. well.. folks can judge for themselves. Buildup is a mechanic. It's not disliked because we can do what ever you want afterword. It is also very forgiving and straight forward. Example: it does not expire on use. What some people might not like: Combo mechanics that limit or force player choice. Example: force a particular attack chain or power selections. Combo mechanics that require players to take powers they might otherwise skip. Example: my level locked 32 Energy Melee does not have Total Focus.. Wonky combo mechanics. Example: If we take the right powers, get this one special rare enhancement, put it in just the right place, then the combo's effect can be doubled if using the specific order of... yuck The exact same changes in the current beta could have been made without adding the combo mechanic. It would have been more powerful. Simpler changes could have been made and had the same or better results across levels, play styles and user interfaces. There was/is an opportunity to improve Energy Melee rather than change it to Energy Assault. Note: @Jimmy @Captain Powerhouse It is a tiny bit frustrating/annoying that not all changes were listed. I get that it is a big list, things are in flux, could be confusing and muddying the discussion. Maybe a supplemental post or spoiler section?

I would have thought you'd recognize at some point that it is more than one or two people who disagree. Improved in "every possible way" is an pretty high bar and as such, an overstatement. Example: Players can not use Bone Smash or Stun after Total Focus if they want to have a "fast" Energy Transfer. Example: Hitting the wrong button after Total Focus can void the "fast" Energy Transfer Or 100% stun Or increased target cap. (not everyone picks powers with a mouse) Sure if your issues were limited to "more AoE" on a single target focused set and 'it's missing a combo mechanic" on a combo free set. So.. many sets still need a combo mechanic.. but don't worry about what's coming soon to a power set near you. FYI - Super Strength has a mechanic in Rage, +DEF is a mechanic, etc. Your list of mechanic free sets is shorter than you've shown.

You are definitely not alone feeling this way.

ya but you liked the combo mechanic in Energy Assault.. not everyone does.

One could argue that there is still no 'fast energy transfer'. The fast Energy Transfer requires using Total Focus (2.53 seconds) then Energy Transfer (1 second) which is close to 2.67s and possibly longer using arcanatime over two powers. I'm not sure the reason for removing the endurance from Energy Transfer but it may have to due with: "Shit! Fast Energy Transfer costs almost 40 endurance out of the box" or "Where'd my toggles go!". I love that folks are getting to see a 1 second Energy Transfer and the impact that has on the power and the set. On a high recharge build with the self damage we really could kill ourselves over using it. The current changes could be done differently without the combo mechanic and have the same benefit. The current changes could also be done with a different power as the combo initiator with better results. example: Bone Smash as the initiator and effecting Total Focus rather than Energy Transfer (give ET the old 1s animation full time)

Whirling Hands was overdue to be brought inline. (which is great that it was addressed) Energy Punch and Bone Smash are nice surprise improvements. (if they make it to production, which they might not due to beta currently over performing) Energy Punch and Bone Smash changes DO NOT make up for part time Energy Transfer. Definitely not if someone doesn't use Total Focus combo.

@Solarverse is it because it is on beta?

Arguments depending on the first draft of a power set change are potential folly. I would submit that currently, the existing beta setup could be over performing. It is also only out performing the old pre-nerf EM set IF using the powers an exact or very narrow order. In order to claim a net gain we have to first establish what we are measuring. DPS, control, single hard target, enemy groups, min/max builds, average players. Is current beta Energy Punch > Bone Smash > Energy Transfer chain out performing the old pre-nerf Energy Melee? Does the current setup avoid corpse blasting with the non TF >ET combo mechanic? If a player does attack a target which is then defeated mid animation did they waste an attack? Take the blinders off, drop the bias and open our minds. If this is the change, when the final numbers are dialed in, it is a middling solution that did nothing but add an annoying mechanic to a set that did not previously have one while failing to address a number of basic issues. (granted some folks love combo mechanics, no offense intend to yall)

I disagree

Wow, so if folks don't agree with what you think is a good change; they are wrong, can't be helped and don't know how to play. Just wow. Energy Transfer should not require another power in order to address the long animation. A part-time fix is not a solution. For folks saying look this is better, that isn't a very high bar since any improvement would have been better. I challenge folks to do better than this.

Just know, it's a long way from done or decided. There should be definite improvement.

I am an EM player and while I always took Total Focus I never used it on anything other than a hard target other than by accident. This is not unusual for T9s. It's great that the animation time was reduced, but that was well over due. Energy Transfer's animation time also needed to be addressed. That the current solution is to speed it up part time is just sad. That it requires a still slow attack to activate the quick version is just disappointing.

Thanks for testing. Yep this or a similar result was going to be had regardless of the method of reducing the animation times of the heavy hitters.

I disagree that cottage was persevered here. Bone Smash could stun before, combined with other powers it could stun pretty reliably. Stun could then be used on a different target.

The totality of the changes seem to be an effort to shoehorn in a bad change. The need to move Energy Transfer is a result of that shoehorning. If folks want Energy Assault for melee, make that. No need to co-op existing power sets for radical changes that deviate so extensively from the originals. In my opinion such changes were not necessary, as a simpler approach that stayed true to the power set was/is available. Changes that were mentioned: Return the fast activation Energy Transfer Slight Total Focus animation time adjustment Other small changes were also suggested Of course I will try it on beta. That said, and having already tried Energy Assault, I am already disappointed with the choices that were made. Questions for the Homecoming team: What is the point of having the forums if the feedback from other venues consistently trumps the feedback here? Should we expect similar mechanics for all sets that don't have them?

and as feared.. Powerset Revamp: Energy Melee (Focused Feedback Thread) Energy Melee has received a series of changes aimed at improving the performance of the set. Total Focus now acts as an opener for three different Energy Focus combos, including a Total Focus > Energy Transfer combo which provides fast, potent single target damage. Stun has been reworked into Power Crash, a cone attack, in order to provide a small amount of additional AoE capability to the set. I will go to Beta and test this.. First thoughts: Energy Melee players are now forced to take Total Focus and use it. (or miss out) If it is the Energy Assault mechanic it is very limiting and may not match preferred attack patterns Removing a stun for a low chance cone stun is not inline with a single target melee set. (it's possible a small aoe would have been better) Disappointment There is a link Focused Feedback Thread for 'offical' feedback.

Soon approaches.. [Beta] Patch Notes for October 24th, 2020 - Issue 27: Second Chances, Page 1 (Build 1) https://forums.homecomingservers.com/topic/23360-beta-patch-notes-for-october-24th-2020-issue-27-second-chances-page-1-build-1

Huge Announcement - Endgame & PVP SoonTM

might be too high recharge

Ah, my bad. If you have mids, highlight the entire text section and copy. In Mids use the import/export > Import from forum post. Looks like I used some pvp numbers so I'll update accordingly.

Congrats @Megawatt/ @Darkneblade / @Tyrannical / @Zepp / @discord Mainframe.. and thank you! I'll be back with some Corruptor comments. (really they are pretty good with maybe a couple outliers) Corruptor secondary T9 list

here's a tank that does good with the resists and regen. I'll get back with a brute. Adding -res and knockdown to lightning field can help (this can add damage and mitigation) The defense +res unique enhancements from Reactive Defenses and Shield Will provide a nice boost. I'd also try to add Char and load it up with the procs you can afford. That'll add some quick good damage. Air Superiority can also be a nice add to get effectively Bone Smashers. (if there is room and you don't need Hasten) @Jaymac93 Below should provided enough hints and still be flexible enough to make your own. (leaves 24 slots for attacks) It nears S/L/F/C/E resistance caps. Increase Psi with a couple Impervium Psi Resists. Once adding attack sets you might wanna move some slots out of tactics. Happy hunting