Mystic_Taurus
Mystic_Taurus
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I played and enjoyed both the original version of Skull Merchant and the 2.0 one, and it is unfortunate to see the 2.0 one go. But I am willing to give BHVR the benefit of the doubt that this is for the best, as long as players get a good rework.
I am interested in her change into a ranged killer, and I believe the power will be strong. While she will be compared to others, she will have a unique identity under the proposed rework.
Pixel Bush and others have expressed concern about the drones in chase, sometimes with comparisons to Victor. They argue the drones either need to be oppressively fast while moving but prior to firing, or they will be too weak. But I believe the purpose of moving drones is not to directly win the chase like Victor can, but only to try to achieve the possibility of a good firing angle, with failure to achieve a good one being fine for SM. It's fine because clutter and walls are the natural counter to ranged killers, which she is clearly outlined to be. And unlike Twins, all her eggs are not in a single basket.
Victor has a fixed charge time, which is one reason among a number of others he's so fast. But the description of Drone Propulsion says that the longer the charge, the higher the speed. This means drones have a variable firing charge. As long as they have a reasonably short Drone Propulsion trigger in exchange for slower velocity, drones can be perfectly functional without needing to be Victor.
Pixel and others have concerns about 3 gen potential. Being able to monitor with a deadly projectile is a legitimate point to raise. But if there is a range limit on placement near gens, the possibility of misses or drones being disabled might keep everything balanced enough. I am uncertain, and hope BHVR tests for 3 gens well before the PTB.
I hope there is a range radius implemented on how close SM needs to be to move and fire a drone. Not only because the further she is the more likely the player will just slug after a drone down. But also because if a SM can fire drones from too far away, remote camping to down a rescuer might be too easy. If a SM wants to camp, they can, but they need to commit to it and not have too much map coverage.
I believe Artist can shut down windows and pallets by placing a bird very close. Skull Merchant players will certainly do so if given the chance. Perhaps since Artist can do this, BHVR is fine with SM doing the same. But in the interest of counterplay, I think a limitation of some kind is best. Perhaps simply having a distance limit on initial placement and forcing the SM to manually move the drone is enough. Of course, I'm sure BHVR can come up with a number of other options if they desire. Which is not to say SM shouldn't be able to make windows and pallets dangerous. Just that being able to lock them down too easily might be bad.
I tend to agree with the general sentiment of not giving aura reading for disabling a drone. Removing the threat there of the killer power should be enough in and of itself.
Overall, I think a lot of tricks can be done with the power, and that the rework SM might have a very high skill ceiling. My main concerns with her skill floor is the paragraph for windows and pallets, and perhaps too easy 3 gens. Otherwise, beyond the obvious need to land shots, there is a requirement to think about general drone placement. Add in inherent limitations this rework will have during chase that Huntress and Deathslinger don't have, and I think the skill floor will be in a good place.
If you are going to change SM so much, then please at least give us a good rework. Some Skull Merchant players will be unhappy with any major alterations no matter what, and I can sympathize with them. But with a good rework at least some of us can still enjoy the character we paid for, along with bringing in new fans of her.