When teaming as a Blade powered Stalker whatever boss i am attacking is defeated before the Assassin's Strike activates.

[Omega9]

That makes sense. Any other damage dealer can chain more damaging attacks together in half the time.

 

Still you would not want Assassin;s Strike to do more damage than it does currently.

 

But I just came off two Task Forces where I might as well not have even been there with a Ninja Blade/ Ninjitsu Stalker. The other Scrappers and Tanks had everything defeated before my Assassin's Strike had charged even if I ran to the back of the enemy groups.. But that is all I was left with at level 28-29. This is because Stalkers have had their AoE attacks stripped from there power sets. They are locked into that Assassin's Strike and it can't keep up with teams.

 

My solution is give Stalkers the Attack Powers: Lotus Drops, Typhoon's Edge, Whirling Arc, etc. We are not bound by PvP balancing and really, PvP for Stalkers will always be Assassin's Strike, Placate, repeat anyway. Having meaningful PBAoE attacks would allow Stalkers flexibility to have  something to do on advanced teams. Staff gets 'Eye of the Storm', and when on a team I would use that attack more than Assassin's Staff. Team's move so fast now there is rarely time for Assassin's Strike, but it is handy for solo leveling still.

 

How would you do it? Make it optional. Like you can take Typhoon's Edge, but you have to give up 1000 Cuts or Vengeful Slice. Or just let them pick 9 of  the 10 powers. I would gladly give up 1000 Cuts for Typhoon's Edge. Typhoon's Edge is the signature power of Dual Blades and Stalkers don't get access. How did that happen?

[Frosticus]

It might initially seem counterintuitive, but don't actually lead with Assassin Strike. Open with your highest damage normal single target attack or your epic aoe (depending on content). 

 

Use assassin strike in fast mode, ideally with 2-3 stacks of focus depending on team size and availability of other good attacks. 

Slow AS is pretty rarely used these days. 

[WuTang]

  On 3/25/2025 at 3:22 AM, Omega9 said:

That makes sense. Any other damage dealer can chain more damaging attacks together in half the time.

 

Still you would not want Assassin;s Strike to do more damage than it does currently.

 

But I just came off two Task Forces where I might as well not have even been there with a Ninja Blade/ Ninjitsu Stalker. The other Scrappers and Tanks had everything defeated before my Assassin's Strike had charged even if I ran to the back of the enemy groups.. But that is all I was left with at level 28-29. This is because Stalkers have had their AoE attacks stripped from there power sets. They are locked into that Assassin's Strike and it can't keep up with teams.

 

My solution is give Stalkers the Attack Powers: Lotus Drops, Typhoon's Edge, Whirling Arc, etc. We are not bound by PvP balancing and really, PvP for Stalkers will always be Assassin's Strike, Placate, repeat anyway. Having meaningful PBAoE attacks would allow Stalkers flexibility to have  something to do on advanced teams. Staff gets 'Eye of the Storm', and when on a team I would use that attack more than Assassin's Staff. Team's move so fast now there is rarely time for Assassin's Strike, but it is handy for solo leveling still.

 

How would you do it? Make it optional. Like you can take Typhoon's Edge, but you have to give up 1000 Cuts or Vengeful Slice. Or just let them pick 9 of  the 10 powers. I would gladly give up 1000 Cuts for Typhoon's Edge. Typhoon's Edge is the signature power of Dual Blades and Stalkers don't get access. How did that happen?

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I recently rolled a EM/Rad and found this to be true as well. But, thankfully, the rotation doesn't demand I open with AS. I open instead with Total Focus and that loads the chamber with dual Energy Focus, then AS for a hide proc then hit Energy Transfer.

 

The wait for AS in hide is excruciating!

[BZRKR]

When this starts happening, I try to change my mindset: Assassin's Strike is a damage buff for your team. It's a countdown to the target's unavoidable demise.

 

Alternately, you can enjoy a heaping helping of Scrapperlock.

[WuTang]

  On 3/25/2025 at 3:22 AM, Omega9 said:

This is because Stalkers have had their AoE attacks stripped from there power sets.

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Roll a Rad Armor Stalker... 2 tasty AOEs with procy goodness.

[mistagoat]

Electric/Shield Stalkers are AoE monsters. I think that combo is its best self on a Stalker, it doesn't give up any meaningful AoE to get AS like most sets do. In face, getting AS fills in Electrics single target shortcoming.

 

Admittedly that does nothing for Stalkers as a whole as per your suggestion, just offering up a combo that is capable of some sick AoE. 

 

As much as I love that combo, it's also a good example of why Stalkers probably shouldn't get more AoE. I have an Elec/Shield Scrapper and a Stalker and there just isn't much reason to play the Scrapper when the Stalker puts out equal AoE and better ST with AS/Placate. If that were true for all melee sets, I don't think there would be much reason to play a Scrap.

 

Speaking for myself, I'm pretty comfortable with Scraps getting the edge in AoE and Stalkers getting the edge in ST and I wouldn't want to upset that balance.