Curse

DiogoSilva · Jul 11, 2012, 02:51 AM // 02:51

Mind Shock (and Blinding Flash and Lightning Bolt) are awesome, and it's possibly my favourite build for RA, but it requires the right team to create really deadly spikes. I actually haven't tried Gust even once (for some reason, it just didn't appeal to me), maybe I'll do someday.

Thunderclap is (imo) underated (the results I have with it are not any worse than with Mind Shock). It feels like a weaker Mind Shock at first, and it's also that, but not only that. It sets up spikes like Shell Shock, it gives you an extra source of anti-melee, it offers good crowd control, it rupts key skills (rez, diversion, shockwave and stoning which are easy to predict, etc), and can randomly rupt key monk/ melee skills as an odd extra. The 8s recharge is fine for all that. But Shockwave also offers a lot of versatility coupled with sheer power, the later which Thunderclap does not have, and the Stoning spam that follows it makes earth eles effectively more disrupting than Thunderclap builds.

I don't even think earth eles need drastic nerfs. Increase Stoning's cooldown (up to 7 or 8 seconds) and have Shockwave's weakness only apply at nearby range (give cracked armor to area range instead), and you'll still have a strong build, but where counters and doging get to be more relevant. Running away (from SW) will start preventing Stoning more often, and the later's 2-3 seconds of extra of recharge will give you previous free time to cast your spells inbetween.

I think the main problem with Shockwave earth builds, is that it has the means to counter most of its counters, especially due to Stoning's recharge and extreme synergy between Shockwave and Stoning (on top of what SW already offers). It's the whole combo that makes it very strong, and the RA's format further helps, because of its tight maps, and because the build is extremely easy to use and abuse but requires advanced skill to counter (in RA, that means lots of winning streaks, because even most of the good teams will have one or two members that are less good at countering PBAoEs and projectiles). You can argue that with Stone Sheath it's even easier to apply weakness, but SS does not have the sheer power of SW, and its armor boost is equally easy to counter (armor-ignoring damage, enchantment stripping, no inherent defense against physical rupts/ KDs/ dazes, etc). And SS is a lovely skill.

HigherMinion · Jul 11, 2012, 03:43 AM // 03:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiogoSilva

And SS is a lovely skill.

Spiteful Spirit is a terrible elite, even for RA. You lose 15e and it takes 2s to cast; for the whole of which your team are facepalming that you brought it and hoping you don't get interrupted. Maybe they should increase the distance for AoE damage, but it's just a little weak unless used against melee, who are already countered with Enfeeble, Faint, IP, etc. no need to waste your elite slot.

...Incase you meant Stone Sheath, it's a pretty meh skill compared to Gust for defence. The +AL is well and good, but it doesn't help vs pressure or knockdowns.

Premium Unleaded · Jul 11, 2012, 04:55 AM // 04:55

wat.

Stone Sheath gives you + one other a massive armour boost and lets you shit out even more stonings.

HigherMinion · Jul 11, 2012, 06:03 AM // 06:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Premium Unleaded

wat.

Stone Sheath gives you + one other a massive armour boost and lets you shit out even more stonings.

Unless you can use it so efficiently that you don't need Ebon Hawk, it's going to be a poor elite in comparison.

Premium Unleaded · Jul 11, 2012, 04:12 PM // 16:12

Yeah, it's such a crap elite that it's the preferred choice for organised teams.

Vincent Evan · Jul 12, 2012, 01:53 PM // 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Premium Unleaded

Yeah, it's such a crap elite that it's the preferred choice for organised teams.

Minion has been talking about it from an RA standpoint. :>

DiogoSilva · Jul 13, 2012, 02:46 PM // 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Premium Unleaded

Yeah, it's such a crap elite that it's the preferred choice for organised teams.

Shockwave is also crap for organised teams, but look at how well it works for RA.

Winner · Jul 17, 2012, 08:24 AM // 08:24

Shockwave is fine, its not strong at all, stone sheath is annoying tho and I would definitely nerf it.