Opinion: The problem with Singularity is not EMPs
I've been formulating this opinion and I would like to know what others think, especially others who have put a lot of time into Singularity since he came out like I have. He's by far my favorite original killer they've ever made.
The discussion I hear quite often is that EMPs are too powerful and they make Singularity too weak.
However, in my experience, this is not true. EMPs are generally not that hard to deal with, even against organized teams who use them to help their allies. Re-applying a slipstream after it's been cleansed is not that hard. If they nerfed EMPs, I don't think it would make him feel any better to play, but it would make him better at 3genning, which I don't think anyone wants.
In my opinion, the problem with Singularity is that Overclock isn't that strong without the Soma Family Photo (5% haste while Overclocked, -20% Overclock duration).
The teleport sets him at a distance behind a survivor that gives them plenty of time to get to something. This is true whether they're in a loop or whether they're in an open field and you're using it as a gap closer. It's very hard to pressure some loops with Overclock because it doesn't last quite long enough to force the survivor to drop the pallet, ESPECIALLY if they're injured and using MFT.
The Soma Family Photo addon fixes all of his problems and makes him feel far more threatening and actually makes the EMPs feel justified in their strength to contain his monstrous chase game. If he uses his teleport as a gap closer, he's suddenly right behind the survivor moving at Bloodlust tier 1 speed. If he uses it at a loop, he can actually pressure the loop enough to make the survivor drop the pallet.
I've recommended it to everyone I know who has struggled with Singularity and they all confirm it makes a night-and-day difference in how he feels to play.
I don't know what the fix to this situation is, however. That addon is a Very Rare quality, so only people like me who consider him one of their mains will be getting enough of them to use them every game. He's not alone in being a killer who needs a specific addon in order to feel good to play, but he has the dubious distinction of being one for whom that addon is hard to get.
Suggesting that a Very Rare quality addon's effect should be basekit feels like a big ask, but at the same time, I feel like it's too important to him not to use every game. I do try builds without it, and I do win without it, but only against weaker survivors. Against strong survivors, I absolutely need that addon, and I know it would have turned entire matches around if I had it.
Anyway, I just wanted to post my thoughts on one of my favorite killers, about whom I have an opinion that goes contrary to what I hear many others say. I am curious to see what others think.
Comments
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I think good Survivors that teamwork well and use EMPs correctly will make your match a Hell of a time. Teamwork rly hurts him.
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I feel like it's a bit of both, really. EMPs are too strong and Overclock, while good, could use some minor QOL changes to make it feel more worthwhile to use your power. But I could easily be wrong, so I'd rather BHVR take it slow and simply nerf EMPs to start with (they can no longer fully self print), then follow it up by buffing Overclock if it isn't enough.
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same can be said for literally any other killer
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I've never been hurt by an EMP while playing Myers. 😜
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You know what I mean jelly bean
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Well the reason I say I think EMPs aren't the issue is because it's not terribly difficult to re-apply Slipstream if it's been cleansed on a survivor you're actively chasing. I've even in some situations been able to re-apply a Slipstream on the same second in which it gets cleansed since I see their ally running in with an EMP, so I'm already preparing to re-apply it. And I tag that ally, too, if I can.
The only reason i would want an EMP nerf is if it would make it harder for survivors to keep themselves cleansed of Slipstream while not in chase. But I think this would be extraordinarily difficult to balance this.
Survivors not being able to cleanse Slipstream easily would make Overclock stronger because it lasts longer for every survivor Slipstreamed (a lot of people don't know this for some reason, so I'm just mentioning it here in case). This would technically solve the issue since it would now last long enough to pressure loops. In situations where the survivors don't cleanse as much as they should, I am definitely able to pressure loops without the Soma Family Photo.
But consider how big most maps are and how difficult it can be to keep tabs on all the survivors. Even with an EMP nerf, I don't think it would be realistic to keep Slipstream active on enough survivors to make Overclock strong.
It would, however, make him much better at 3genning. You could play like a Trapper or Hag and pick a 3gen and then set up a web of biopods all around it and then just get ready to defend it instead of focusing on chases and downs to build pressure. I don't want that, I don't think anyone wants that.
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It's both, to an extent.
OP is right though. Overclock in and of itself just isn't that much of a threat if the survivor doesn't panic. It doesn't really take away many options as a survivor. You can pre-drop and make another tile or run out the duration. It's not something that typically gets you an actual hit if the survivor plays it correctly. It's not a power that scales up well against skilled players. You'll spend the majority of the match breaking safe pallets that are still safe. It's similar to the problems Dredge has in terms of power scaling.
The EMPs are still a bit of a problem though. It's not that it's hard to reapply Slipstream. It's easy and quick. The problem is that you have to reapply it in the first place and the payoff is Overclock. I've started taking Forced Penance on Singularity because at least 25% of my games are against rotating EMP body blockers.
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I agree with you, I feel the Soma Photo is kind of required for him, at least for me. I can't play him without that addon at all. If I do play him without the addon I feel like my teleport doesnt do nearly enough. I also think switching cameras and just controlling the cameras need some kind QoL change since they are very disorienting to use. Overall I do think EMPs aren't his main problem, it's the fact that his teleport is not a threatening power without the Soma Photo addon.
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yeah, another non-issue if mft never existed. what's next?
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I gave up with this killer, every game was spent with pods out of commision. If survivors were in view an emp had already disabled the pod. The only use I got out of the power was by directly shooting survivors.
Its not just playing as the killer though, I dont have any worries playing against this killer aside from teammates creating bad situations.
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Singularity doesn't work if you treat the cameras like you're playing FNAF and surveillance is his strength. You need to use the pods in chase. Place a couple of cameras in high traffic areas so you can mark or teleport to people who run through them, and survivors usually won't try to disable those.
Any pod you put next to a gen is worthless aside from taking a peek through to see if they're working on it and forcing them to use an EMP on it to make it so you can't teleport through it.
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I just wish it wasn’t so annoying to apply a Slipstream.
Can see 90% of the survivors body? Too bad there’s a leaf blocking their thumb so no shooting them.
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Just my point, if Im in chase there isnt much need for the pods to begin with. Id find it difficult to locate a survivor that isnt holding an emp.
Ive just got no interest in the way this killer plays and maybe its just a lack of understanding but I dont find him particularly difficult to face and fairly easy to negate the power.
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