Skald Report - Post 1.64
Overview
Based on the given definition of Skalds, that we are meant to be in the thick of battle, the Skald community has been able to refocus their testing and requests to fit this definition. As it stands now, our damage output is less than it should be given our lower HPs and lower defense abilities. Prior to SC and the armor changes our damage was consistent, but has declined markedly since. If Skalds are about damage, then several things will need to be looked into in order to take us from our Speed-Only role in RvR.
Feedback
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Skalds are offensive support, which doesn't necessarily just mean damage, but more that their role is to be in the thick of battle rather then orbiting on the outskirts like a bard for instance.
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Concerns
Direct Damage Shouts
I know that per the feedback to the last report, the Skald shout line will be looked into. I just want to reiterate this need. Some means of increasing the actual damage done or the amount of spell failures has to be implemented to make this set of DD shouts more effective. The lowering of the End Costs and Power in prior patches has helped, but it hasn't done enough to make up for the loss of damage due to resists and failures.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
We are looking into the recast timers and/or resist rates for 1.65. For the resist rates on the shouts, we may look into either adding higher level shouts or doing something with the existing ones so they are not resisted as often.
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Damage Adder range and DPS
Given that the Damage Adder was considered the primary in-battle group ability of the Skald, it would stand to reason that it would be a worthy chant. With its 700 range and the pulse dropping bug, it has become less valuable. The Skald DA, at the very least, needs to have the bugs fixed and the range increased to 1500. Another idea to make the Skald chant more effective would be to allow the Skald DAs to stack with each other like they stack with Shaman & Runemaster DA. One chant at full strength and one at 1/2 strength. It would be unique and make better use of multiple Skalds in a group. Similar to Paladin Heal stacking and Warden Bubble stacking.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
We plan on normalizing the range on all DA chants. We want to stay away from more DA stacking.
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Skald Defense
As addressed in the prior report, the situation will be watched, but no changes are imminent. I do think that a review of Skald defense is an issue, because currently, Skalds are using RAs to even out their lack of defense. To have the HP of a Thane with their self buff, for example, Skalds must purchase several levels of the Aug. Con. RA and Toughness RA. That's just to even out the HP difference. To gain more Parry, we must spend points on Aug. Dex. RA and Mastery of Parrying just to have the Parry ability more functional because we lack the spec points to do it otherwise. Balancing via RAs is not a good idea, and makes a Skald spend their points on passive, rather than active abilities. Please consider this when reviewing Skalds.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Right now we're not going to focus on skald defense. We might look into where their hit points stand, but even if a change was made here, the difference in hit point tenths between classes would be fairly minor and won't have a big impact on skald survivability.
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Group offerings
The other support/melee classes among the realms offer a lot more to the group than the Skald, either within or outside of battle. A single Skald within an RvR group can supply the means to transport the group to battle, which is truly the only thing we excel at. The current perception (and pretty much accurate) is that Skalds bring speed, but not much else. Allowing the DA to stack as noted above would be a positive reason for more than just Speed, as would giving Skalds another group ability or adding a component to a current chant would allow more variety in their group offerings.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Speed and a DA are two useful group abilities.(when the DA range is upped) We're not currently exploring other avenues for skald group contribution.
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Specline Issues
Battlesongs- Per the last report, no in-depth changes will be done on this line at this time. I am requesting that the above changes (Stacked DA, new component to existing chant) be considered to allow the line we have no choice in speccing in to have more value.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Don't think this is the way to go. Perhaps we should look at this again after 1.65.
--------------------------------------
Weapon - The concern of the typical Skald spec in weapon to 44 is that there is no return on investment if we take our weapon to 50. We lose more utility/damage if we spec high in weapon than we gain from the higher weapon spec. This seems to be more of an issue with Midgard weapons styles than the Skald itself.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Is this something that the style review might address? In other words, do you think this is a style issue or an issue inherent with the skald?
--------------------------------------
Parry - The only Speccable means of defense for the Skald is relegated to getting the leftover Spec points. A typical Skald will end up with a Parry of 17. Since we need to Spec high in Battlesongs and Weapon just to be competitive, we have to use RAs to balance out this spec. Lowering either Battlesong or Weapon does not return worthy results, even with the current changes to Parry/Block.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
I am willing to be convinced further, but right now I am not sure that trading weapon spec for parry isn't a valid option for skalds. I do agree that battlesongs is something most will want to keep high.
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We would like to also note that an alternative specialization template is gaining popularity: 50 weapon (almost always axe for the 50 style), 43 BS, leftover in parry. This spec line basically throws away most of the benefits of the Battlesong line, with the exception of speed 5 (notably: the "strong" battleshout is effectively destroyed, and the damage add song is a substandard one). However, the fact that some Skalds still decide to go this route to scrape a few more points of weapon damage is a testament to both Skald woes in melee combat and to the poor state of the Battlesong line. I am putting this in again because it was misunderstood. There is very little variance in a Skald spec, because changing it return a less than competitive character. We do need more variety, we don't have that option.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
We can discuss this further but if people want to get the level 50 style for damage, that's an okay decision to make. Depending on what, if anything, is done with the shouts may also make Battlesong more enticing.
--------------------------------------
New Issues
No changes since 1.62 report effected Skalds positively or negatively.
Other Issues
-6 single resist chants, why not 3 sets of 2?
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Not sure when, but I definitely want to look into doing something about having 6 resist chants.
--------------------------------------
-Fury of the Gods Realm ability
Feedback
--------------------------------------
RA review
--------------------------------------
-Design of Skald Epic armor
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Art or stats? You may want to explain the issues in the item forum.
--------------------------------------
Item Problems
No new problems since last report. Thank you for some of the +Battlesong changes though.
Overview
Based on the given definition of Skalds, that we are meant to be in the thick of battle, the Skald community has been able to refocus their testing and requests to fit this definition. As it stands now, our damage output is less than it should be given our lower HPs and lower defense abilities. Prior to SC and the armor changes our damage was consistent, but has declined markedly since. If Skalds are about damage, then several things will need to be looked into in order to take us from our Speed-Only role in RvR.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Skalds are offensive support, which doesn't necessarily just mean damage, but more that their role is to be in the thick of battle rather then orbiting on the outskirts like a bard for instance.
--------------------------------------
Concerns
Direct Damage Shouts
I know that per the feedback to the last report, the Skald shout line will be looked into. I just want to reiterate this need. Some means of increasing the actual damage done or the amount of spell failures has to be implemented to make this set of DD shouts more effective. The lowering of the End Costs and Power in prior patches has helped, but it hasn't done enough to make up for the loss of damage due to resists and failures.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
We are looking into the recast timers and/or resist rates for 1.65. For the resist rates on the shouts, we may look into either adding higher level shouts or doing something with the existing ones so they are not resisted as often.
--------------------------------------
Damage Adder range and DPS
Given that the Damage Adder was considered the primary in-battle group ability of the Skald, it would stand to reason that it would be a worthy chant. With its 700 range and the pulse dropping bug, it has become less valuable. The Skald DA, at the very least, needs to have the bugs fixed and the range increased to 1500. Another idea to make the Skald chant more effective would be to allow the Skald DAs to stack with each other like they stack with Shaman & Runemaster DA. One chant at full strength and one at 1/2 strength. It would be unique and make better use of multiple Skalds in a group. Similar to Paladin Heal stacking and Warden Bubble stacking.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
We plan on normalizing the range on all DA chants. We want to stay away from more DA stacking.
--------------------------------------
Skald Defense
As addressed in the prior report, the situation will be watched, but no changes are imminent. I do think that a review of Skald defense is an issue, because currently, Skalds are using RAs to even out their lack of defense. To have the HP of a Thane with their self buff, for example, Skalds must purchase several levels of the Aug. Con. RA and Toughness RA. That's just to even out the HP difference. To gain more Parry, we must spend points on Aug. Dex. RA and Mastery of Parrying just to have the Parry ability more functional because we lack the spec points to do it otherwise. Balancing via RAs is not a good idea, and makes a Skald spend their points on passive, rather than active abilities. Please consider this when reviewing Skalds.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Right now we're not going to focus on skald defense. We might look into where their hit points stand, but even if a change was made here, the difference in hit point tenths between classes would be fairly minor and won't have a big impact on skald survivability.
--------------------------------------
Group offerings
The other support/melee classes among the realms offer a lot more to the group than the Skald, either within or outside of battle. A single Skald within an RvR group can supply the means to transport the group to battle, which is truly the only thing we excel at. The current perception (and pretty much accurate) is that Skalds bring speed, but not much else. Allowing the DA to stack as noted above would be a positive reason for more than just Speed, as would giving Skalds another group ability or adding a component to a current chant would allow more variety in their group offerings.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Speed and a DA are two useful group abilities.(when the DA range is upped) We're not currently exploring other avenues for skald group contribution.
--------------------------------------
Specline Issues
Battlesongs- Per the last report, no in-depth changes will be done on this line at this time. I am requesting that the above changes (Stacked DA, new component to existing chant) be considered to allow the line we have no choice in speccing in to have more value.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Don't think this is the way to go. Perhaps we should look at this again after 1.65.
--------------------------------------
Weapon - The concern of the typical Skald spec in weapon to 44 is that there is no return on investment if we take our weapon to 50. We lose more utility/damage if we spec high in weapon than we gain from the higher weapon spec. This seems to be more of an issue with Midgard weapons styles than the Skald itself.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Is this something that the style review might address? In other words, do you think this is a style issue or an issue inherent with the skald?
--------------------------------------
Parry - The only Speccable means of defense for the Skald is relegated to getting the leftover Spec points. A typical Skald will end up with a Parry of 17. Since we need to Spec high in Battlesongs and Weapon just to be competitive, we have to use RAs to balance out this spec. Lowering either Battlesong or Weapon does not return worthy results, even with the current changes to Parry/Block.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
I am willing to be convinced further, but right now I am not sure that trading weapon spec for parry isn't a valid option for skalds. I do agree that battlesongs is something most will want to keep high.
--------------------------------------
We would like to also note that an alternative specialization template is gaining popularity: 50 weapon (almost always axe for the 50 style), 43 BS, leftover in parry. This spec line basically throws away most of the benefits of the Battlesong line, with the exception of speed 5 (notably: the "strong" battleshout is effectively destroyed, and the damage add song is a substandard one). However, the fact that some Skalds still decide to go this route to scrape a few more points of weapon damage is a testament to both Skald woes in melee combat and to the poor state of the Battlesong line. I am putting this in again because it was misunderstood. There is very little variance in a Skald spec, because changing it return a less than competitive character. We do need more variety, we don't have that option.
Feedback
--------------------------------------
We can discuss this further but if people want to get the level 50 style for damage, that's an okay decision to make. Depending on what, if anything, is done with the shouts may also make Battlesong more enticing.
--------------------------------------
New Issues
No changes since 1.62 report effected Skalds positively or negatively.
Other Issues
-6 single resist chants, why not 3 sets of 2?
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Not sure when, but I definitely want to look into doing something about having 6 resist chants.
--------------------------------------
-Fury of the Gods Realm ability
Feedback
--------------------------------------
RA review
--------------------------------------
-Design of Skald Epic armor
Feedback
--------------------------------------
Art or stats? You may want to explain the issues in the item forum.
--------------------------------------
Item Problems
No new problems since last report. Thank you for some of the +Battlesong changes though.
) 
