Dracula Feedback and Suggestions - 8.4.0 PTB
With the 8.4.0 PTB, Dracula is set to receive certain number adjustments to parts of his power. While those tweaks are likely targeted at certain playstyles that have been pointed out as problematic, in my opinion the issues depend more so on specific addon combos that magnify them.
Feedback and suggestions per part:
- Increase shapeshift cooldown to 3.5 seconds (was 2.5)
This change is likely aimed to address the Bat > Other form transformation mid chase. I believe, however, that the -truly- problematic part of that is NOT the "pseudo-Spirit" playstyle, since Dracula cannot attack instantly with a speed boost and an extended lunge after transforming.
Rather, it is the ability to transform into Bat, "hop" over a pallet, and change back almost immediately by using the Clock Tower Gear + Traveller's Hat addon combo that should have been addressed - with Traveller's Hat itself also allowing to attack faster after transforming.
Recommended changes:
Increase shapeshift cooldown to 3.0 seconds - at most
Decrease the value of the Clock Tower Gear addon to 5% (was 10%)
Decrease the value of the Traveller's Hat addon to 5% (was 10%)
This way, the shapeshift cooldown won't be able to be decreased lower than 2.85 seconds, and combined with the Traveller's Hat addon adjustment survivors will have time to react and vault back a pallet/window, without risking a hit as much as they do now in the Live build. At the same time, the basekit cooldown time will be closer to the Live version, not affecting players who didn't use the above tactic that much. - Vampire Form: Increase Hellfire cooldown to 10 seconds (was 7)
Similarly to above, this change might be aimed to reduce the frequency of players only opting for the use of Hellfire mid chase. That playstyle is also preferred due to Wolf Form having been deemed "weaker" overall. A 3 second basekit cooldown increase feels unnecessary for that.
Instead, what I think needs to be addressed is yet again an addon combo that over-incentivizes Hellfire only playstyles, Ruby Circlet + Sylph Feather. If my math is correct and these addons apply via multipliers, Ruby Circlet is a x0.9 and a max stack Sylph Feather x0.75 on the Live version of the 7 second cooldown, bringing it down to 7 x 0.9 x 0.75 = 4.725 seconds.
Recommended changes:
Increase Hellfire cooldown to 8 seconds - at most
Decrease the value of the Ruby Circlet addon to 5% (was 10%)
Decrease the max number of Sylph Feather tokens to 3 - now max 15% cooldown reduction
That way, the cooldown won't be able to be decreased lower than 8 x 0.95 x 0.85 = 6.46 seconds, also keeping the basekit cooldown time closer to the Live version. - Wolf Form: Increase the spawn rate of Scent Orbs to 1 every 5 seconds (was 1 every 6 seconds)
- Wolf Form: Decrease Wolf's Pounce charge time to 0.85 seconds (was 1)
Much welcomed buffs to Wolf Form. I personally feel that it has its strengths and uses mid chase per tile, and even small tweaks like these can go a long way with practice. Hopefully it will see more use.
This concludes my feedback for the PTB changes.
Speaking of addon combos that are problematic, I think, and it has been pointed out by other players as well, that the Medusa's Hair addon and possibly the Lapis Lazuli addon should receive nerfs at least to their numerical values.
But I maintain the opinion that -basekit- Dracula on the current Live version is fluid and not excessively strong, if the aforementioned addons aren't in play. I believe this should be maintained by keeping the basekit numbers closer to the Live version, since lack of fluidity was a major issue that initially dissuaded players from using him after his release.
Comments
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So you simply deny the nerfs in patch notes and offer add ons nerf to make base abilities that are problematic to have 1s extra cooldown instead of 3 and 0,5s nerf to shapeshift… AT MOST. Ok. Seems like you do not see Dracula being powercreep that needs adjustments, sadly more than you offer.
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