This is a massive buff for the temporal escort and bops.
EPtW is a true percentage-based damage boost, and now you can run epts1+eptw3 (with doffs) for 66% uptime on a massive damage buff.
The problem with healing is T4 rep and Elite Shields. Putting a gap in EPtS will only encourage more oneshots, but it does nothing to address the core issue.
I don't think that the EPtS changes will improve anything, but they are not the end of the world either. The EPtW changes on the other hand will probably have much bigger effects by boosting escort damage even further; but I don't think that it will help much with pressure damage on cruisers.
Hilbert, have you done any testing of it on Tribble yet? The EPtW that is.
Dorking around on paper, it appears actually be to be a nerf to pressure/sustained damage. The +15s of additional damage loses out to the -10s of additional weapon power because of drain mechanics.
For spike/burst though...wham bam, thank you ma'am.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFGfWrJR5Ck <---my first thought on reading the patch notes. Oh, and I loved the fact that the dev in that thread couldn't even figure the CD's properly for multiple EPT:X :-/
Seriously though? Seriously?! They take the backbone out of cruiser builds right when I just started my first eng with the intention of putting him into a cruiser? Ugh. Maybe I should start another tac/scort instead. They seem to be getting the loving in space as well as on ground.
So EpTW gives a true percentage bonus now? Now fix my phaaazer lance accuracy !
"Cryptic Studio’s Jack Emmert (2010): Microtransactions are the biggest bunch of nonsense. I like paying one fee and not worrying about it – like my cellphone. The world’s biggest MMO isn’t item based, even though the black market item GDP is bigger than Russia … microtransactions make me want to die.”
Hilbert, have you done any testing of it on Tribble yet? The EPtW that is.
Dorking around on paper, it appears actually be to be a nerf to pressure/sustained damage. The +15s of additional damage loses out to the -10s of additional weapon power because of drain mechanics.
No, I haven't been on tribble yet (not at my main computer atm), I'm only going by patch notes and holodeck performance.
On escorts, EPtW has never been necessary for power levels, so the reduced duration won't negatively affect escorts, they'll only gain the 20s +damage boost.
But of course you are right, this could very well end up being not even a theoretical buff to beam cruisers because of the +power gap.
This whole thing appears to be primarily a buff for escorts and a nerf for everyone that can't rely on crosshealing.
I like all changes except changes to EPTS. Its already too easy too do massive spike damage with all of the crit bonuses from romulan boffs, rep passive, and consoles. It will be way too easy now if you just wait for the last 10 sec of epts before decloak and spike.
There are all kind of more important problems in this game for pvp and pve besides epts, why is this even being touched now?
I know engineers would not like it. But what if EptW instead dmg buff, gave weapon drain resistance bonus? That would be more buff for cruisers than spiky escorts. But as I said elsewhere, I generally do not like the extra bonuses for EpTX abilities, and would prefer if the bonuses were from power levels.
"Cryptic Studio’s Jack Emmert (2010): Microtransactions are the biggest bunch of nonsense. I like paying one fee and not worrying about it – like my cellphone. The world’s biggest MMO isn’t item based, even though the black market item GDP is bigger than Russia … microtransactions make me want to die.”
Oh, and I loved the fact that the dev in that thread couldn't even figure the CD's properly for multiple EPT:X :-/
Some people used to say "The devs know what they are doing. They know much more about the game than the players."...
The devs don't even know the cooldown properties for the most important boff ability in the entire game by heart!
It is so sad. This game was in a comparatively good shape after the change to the BFI doff, but then T4 and elite shields killed the balance. And I'm afraid it's beyond repair now.
This whole thing appears to be primarily a buff for escorts and a nerf for everyone that can't rely on crosshealing.
What's really funny in a facepalming sort of way is that I can almost bet that the devs are NOT thinking of it in those terms. To them, this is just a way to streamline and simplify things for the new players. The tone of Arc's answer makes me think not much thought was put into it at all.
I know engineers would not like it. But what if EptW instead dmg buff, gave weapon drain resistance bonus? That would be more buff for cruisers than spiky escorts. But as I said elsewhere, I generally do not like the extra bonuses for EpTX abilities, and would prefer if the bonuses were from power levels.
Engis should still have EPS transfer and nadion for that... nadion is pointless because everyone gets free always on nadion lite from the cutting beam. Its also pointless with the current broken drain mechanic we have... I believe 100% that the reason beams suck right now is the power drain mechanic.
EPS and Rotate shield Freq should both be much much more useful now though shouldn't they ?
I see this effecting tac cruisers more... which I am fine with myself.
BoP's will love it. Wait for 10 second gap, alpha strike kill, cloak, wait for 10 second gap, alpha strike kill and cloak. Then you have the elite fleet disruptors lowering shield resists by 25%.
yes because every problem that I've ever had was because the power to shields that was the number 1 buff that I'm always watching for
oh wait no
EptS decrease is a slap in the face to tanks. EptW increase is an additional kick in the balls. As usual escorts come out better than they started. How badly thought out was this change? Synergy between 4 skills just because they have the same sounding name. Where is the synergy between class innates?
think with me people .. this doesn't mean properly that every single escort will use eptw now, but even if they use, thats less resilliency for them leaving them with ONLY rsp and/or tss
eptw might be something a lot different now, but that's cool, this might be one of those things we need for our pressure dmg builds, a 20 seconds weapon bonus is perfect for a beam boat rotating with eps power transfer and nadion inversion, specially cruisers
yes bops might get nasty now, but again, without that extra epts, theyll have to be cloaked most of the time, cpb and boom ... sorry if someone disagree, but i like it
the problem is the overcap on eptw ... other subsystems don't gain any kind of profit on doing it, 20 seconds of that extra weapon power might be too much ...
eptw might be something a lot different now, but that's cool, this might be one of those things we need for our pressure dmg builds, a 20 seconds weapon bonus is perfect for a beam boat rotating with eps power transfer and nadion inversion, specially cruisers
Actually, this outcome is WORSE than before, because while you do get a small boost for a full 20 seconds instead of 5...for the remaining 10 seconds, your damage goes straight into the terlet along with the rest of your weapon power.
The end result, according to people who have run the tests, is that you actually do LESS damage than before, unless your goal is to pump out as much damage as you can in under 20 seconds before weapons power fails...which is a spike damage behavior.
He's trying to say that right now EPTS is up all the time and we don't care... you wait for the tac team to go 3 2 1.....
Who watches for EPTS its up all the time... and people drop there facings running it or not if your going to bol them at 2k.
This EPTS change makes no difference to the bop... they still live or die by the tac team.
Agreed. The two things I'm looking at when waiting for a gap in target defenses: Tactical Team and RSP. If the RSP went down recently and the Tactical Team is in the CD gap, that's likely as vulnerable as the target will ever get. Time to decloak, hit 'em with Tractor Beam 2-3, Viral Matrix 2-3, and unload a buffed alphastrike. . .and hope it's enough to overcome the 100% uptime EPtS and the other shield healers/buffers that people have access to.
Seriously, self-healing is too strong in this game. I've seen the best zombie-tankers absorb repeated spike damage from 4-5 ships dogfighting it, and it's only with MULTIPLE subnukes and a host of other effects that they're brought down. Breaking the 100% uptime on EPtS is a good thing, it will force people to come up with solutions that require a little more thinking, rather than just being able to cookie-cutter a 2x EPtS + RSP + Tactical Team + Hazard Emitters build.
My PvP toon is Krov, of The House of Snoo. Beware of my Hegh'ta of doom.
Seriously, self-healing is too strong in this game. I've seen the best zombie-tankers absorb repeated spike damage from 4-5 ships dogfighting it, and it's only with MULTIPLE subnukes and a host of other effects that they're brought down.
EPtS gets a nerf and all the other EPtX a buff. Hmmm...
I think that yes EPtS should not be in a 100% up time, though the damage in the game is always going up and up and up.
For me the change should be in the cycle that Tac Team works, up 10 sec, cool down 15sec (either in chain 2 or doff reduction) and a window of 5 sec that you are vulnerable. 10 sec is an eternity in a cruiser and a science ship.
A second point to be on par with this change will be that ET and ST finally get the distribution shields that TT has. BIG change, but it will help Sci to heal in the 10sec and Eng to hull tank. ST should get a small shield resistance buff, 5%-10% for 5 sec, and ET should give 10%-15% hull resist for 5 sec.
As for EPtW/A/E, I think that from EPtW would benefit escorts with 3 Eng Boffs slots, replacing AuxtSif or RSP and klingon BoP, maybe Battle cruisers. Beam boats would benefit only if there is a power drain redesign. For the other 2 is difficult to say if there is going to be a large benefit, maybe the Science vessels that have also 3 Eng Boff slots.
My conclusion.
In order for the change to bring balance 2 thinks should happen.
1. Beams power draining system is redesigned.
2. ST and ET get shield distribution and grant a small resist buff.
Wow! It's ganking time forever for the evul Bops! Are you serious Cryptic? Have you ever piloted this awesome vessel in a fight against we poor Feds?
You know...quietly lurching in the shadows...easy reading all the target defense abilities going in cooldown...awaiting the right moment to buff a terrific alpha strike...
Ten seconds...are you kidding Cryptic? You mad bro?
Ten ****ing damned seconds...chaining two EPtS with two abilities or the damage doffs is the only real possibility to absorb some of a devastating spike damage that would otherwise be a one shot sure death!
And things are really worse because the best Bop Captains fight together and never alone!
So...this will be the end of pugging in the queues because without a skilled healer every fight will simply become a pure target practice!
Oh wait...no healer needed when you're instantly vaporized!:mad:
You just need a holoprojector that turns your ship into the lady in your sig (prefferably making out with the one in your avatar). Most of the "evul klingons" would be too preooccupied to do anything dangerous before their buffs wore off.
[On Topic]
This definitely puts a big gap in people's resistances that's just begging to get smashed through. The buffs to EPtA/W/E are welcome (maybe not the turn rate buff on EPtE). I wonder what other changes are planned given these rather... out of the blue changes to the powers? Between Warp Cores and this sudden change to Emergency Power to X abilities, it feels like something big is afoot.
If you feel Keel'el's effect is well designed, please, for your own safety, be very careful around shallow pools of water.
This definitely puts a big gap in people's resistances that's just begging to get smashed through. The buffs to EPtA/W/E are welcome (maybe not the turn rate buff on EPtE)
Depends on the EptE bonus. Some part of me wishes its like +10 turn for EptE3 so I can at least think about it for a Galaxy :P The realist me think its will be like +3 so ignored hehe.
"Cryptic Studio’s Jack Emmert (2010): Microtransactions are the biggest bunch of nonsense. I like paying one fee and not worrying about it – like my cellphone. The world’s biggest MMO isn’t item based, even though the black market item GDP is bigger than Russia … microtransactions make me want to die.”
Last night and friend and I did a 1v1 pvp on Tribble. I as in a bug and he was in a sci, yes i know but it was for testing purposes of the effect of EPtS 10 second hole.
Last night and friend and I did a 1v1 pvp on Tribble. I as in a bug and he was in a sci, yes i know but it was for testing purposes of the effect of EPtS 10 second hole.
10 - 0 All kills within a minute
What is the result of this 1v1 pairing on Holodeck?
Comments
EPtW is a true percentage-based damage boost, and now you can run epts1+eptw3 (with doffs) for 66% uptime on a massive damage buff.
The problem with healing is T4 rep and Elite Shields. Putting a gap in EPtS will only encourage more oneshots, but it does nothing to address the core issue.
I don't think that the EPtS changes will improve anything, but they are not the end of the world either. The EPtW changes on the other hand will probably have much bigger effects by boosting escort damage even further; but I don't think that it will help much with pressure damage on cruisers.
Dorking around on paper, it appears actually be to be a nerf to pressure/sustained damage. The +15s of additional damage loses out to the -10s of additional weapon power because of drain mechanics.
For spike/burst though...wham bam, thank you ma'am.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFGfWrJR5Ck <---my first thought on reading the patch notes. Oh, and I loved the fact that the dev in that thread couldn't even figure the CD's properly for multiple EPT:X :-/
Seriously though? Seriously?! They take the backbone out of cruiser builds right when I just started my first eng with the intention of putting him into a cruiser? Ugh. Maybe I should start another tac/scort instead. They seem to be getting the loving in space as well as on ground.
On escorts, EPtW has never been necessary for power levels, so the reduced duration won't negatively affect escorts, they'll only gain the 20s +damage boost.
But of course you are right, this could very well end up being not even a theoretical buff to beam cruisers because of the +power gap.
This whole thing appears to be primarily a buff for escorts and a nerf for everyone that can't rely on crosshealing.
There are all kind of more important problems in this game for pvp and pve besides epts, why is this even being touched now?
The devs don't even know the cooldown properties for the most important boff ability in the entire game by heart!
It is so sad. This game was in a comparatively good shape after the change to the BFI doff, but then T4 and elite shields killed the balance. And I'm afraid it's beyond repair now.
What's really funny in a facepalming sort of way is that I can almost bet that the devs are NOT thinking of it in those terms. To them, this is just a way to streamline and simplify things for the new players. The tone of Arc's answer makes me think not much thought was put into it at all.
Engis should still have EPS transfer and nadion for that... nadion is pointless because everyone gets free always on nadion lite from the cutting beam. Its also pointless with the current broken drain mechanic we have... I believe 100% that the reason beams suck right now is the power drain mechanic.
EPS and Rotate shield Freq should both be much much more useful now though shouldn't they ?
I see this effecting tac cruisers more... which I am fine with myself.
yes because every problem that I've ever had was because the power to shields that was the number 1 buff that I'm always watching for
oh wait no
Yes nerf the tacs using cruisers they are the ones needing a slap with the nerf stick.
Not them just the people silly enough to be flying em.
I have no idea how to interpret that sentence :P
Of course you weren't looking for it. If your target has half a brain he/she has it up at all times.
He's trying to say that right now EPTS is up all the time and we don't care... you wait for the tac team to go 3 2 1.....
Who watches for EPTS its up all the time... and people drop there facings running it or not if your going to bol them at 2k.
This EPTS change makes no difference to the bop... they still live or die by the tac team.
eptw might be something a lot different now, but that's cool, this might be one of those things we need for our pressure dmg builds, a 20 seconds weapon bonus is perfect for a beam boat rotating with eps power transfer and nadion inversion, specially cruisers
yes bops might get nasty now, but again, without that extra epts, theyll have to be cloaked most of the time, cpb and boom ... sorry if someone disagree, but i like it
the problem is the overcap on eptw ... other subsystems don't gain any kind of profit on doing it, 20 seconds of that extra weapon power might be too much ...
The end result, according to people who have run the tests, is that you actually do LESS damage than before, unless your goal is to pump out as much damage as you can in under 20 seconds before weapons power fails...which is a spike damage behavior.
Agreed. The two things I'm looking at when waiting for a gap in target defenses: Tactical Team and RSP. If the RSP went down recently and the Tactical Team is in the CD gap, that's likely as vulnerable as the target will ever get. Time to decloak, hit 'em with Tractor Beam 2-3, Viral Matrix 2-3, and unload a buffed alphastrike. . .and hope it's enough to overcome the 100% uptime EPtS and the other shield healers/buffers that people have access to.
Seriously, self-healing is too strong in this game. I've seen the best zombie-tankers absorb repeated spike damage from 4-5 ships dogfighting it, and it's only with MULTIPLE subnukes and a host of other effects that they're brought down. Breaking the 100% uptime on EPtS is a good thing, it will force people to come up with solutions that require a little more thinking, rather than just being able to cookie-cutter a 2x EPtS + RSP + Tactical Team + Hazard Emitters build.
Then their timing sucks.
EPtS gets a nerf and all the other EPtX a buff. Hmmm...
I think that yes EPtS should not be in a 100% up time, though the damage in the game is always going up and up and up.
For me the change should be in the cycle that Tac Team works, up 10 sec, cool down 15sec (either in chain 2 or doff reduction) and a window of 5 sec that you are vulnerable. 10 sec is an eternity in a cruiser and a science ship.
A second point to be on par with this change will be that ET and ST finally get the distribution shields that TT has. BIG change, but it will help Sci to heal in the 10sec and Eng to hull tank. ST should get a small shield resistance buff, 5%-10% for 5 sec, and ET should give 10%-15% hull resist for 5 sec.
As for EPtW/A/E, I think that from EPtW would benefit escorts with 3 Eng Boffs slots, replacing AuxtSif or RSP and klingon BoP, maybe Battle cruisers. Beam boats would benefit only if there is a power drain redesign. For the other 2 is difficult to say if there is going to be a large benefit, maybe the Science vessels that have also 3 Eng Boff slots.
My conclusion.
In order for the change to bring balance 2 thinks should happen.
1. Beams power draining system is redesigned.
2. ST and ET get shield distribution and grant a small resist buff.
KDF Eng: Boreas I.K.S. Demonon Nemesis {Fleet: HoS}
Rom Sci: Crius I.R.W. Noctem Aeternus {Fleet: LoS}
Fed Tac: Kronos U.S.S. Xibalba, I.S.S. Theogonia{Fleet: HSF}
You just need a holoprojector that turns your ship into the lady in your sig (prefferably making out with the one in your avatar). Most of the "evul klingons" would be too preooccupied to do anything dangerous before their buffs wore off.
[On Topic]
This definitely puts a big gap in people's resistances that's just begging to get smashed through. The buffs to EPtA/W/E are welcome (maybe not the turn rate buff on EPtE). I wonder what other changes are planned given these rather... out of the blue changes to the powers? Between Warp Cores and this sudden change to Emergency Power to X abilities, it feels like something big is afoot.
Do you even Science Bro?
Depends on the EptE bonus. Some part of me wishes its like +10 turn for EptE3 so I can at least think about it for a Galaxy :P The realist me think its will be like +3 so ignored hehe.
10 - 0 All kills within a minute
Not an insignificant nerf IMHO
Tanky guys falling to pieces, unlike before.