Curse

mazza558 · May 23, 2008, 08:40 PM // 20:40

I really, really hope it doesn't, but with the right build, you can keep Shadow Form up indefinitely with 8 seconds to recast it. This means you can:

-Farm Raptors stupidly easily (basically 1-2-3-4-5 and win)

-Run anywhere with no chance of failure. I just ran from Beacon's To Droks without knowing the route and having never done the run before (only watched others). It was very, very easy, and the lowest my health reached was 400, from the AoE damage of giant stomp. I took "I am unstoppable" because it prevents knockdowns, and, well, it's true!

Although it's imba, I've actually never had so much fun. I've been exploring tyria and building up my cartography title completely solo without dying once, and I love stopping for the scenery. I can imagine SF being used in UW to replace the Obs tank, along with a 0% chance of failure.

cgruber · May 23, 2008, 08:43 PM // 20:43

I know rite who wants anythign to be challenging. I'm still hoping for the die button.

Tyla · May 23, 2008, 08:44 PM // 20:44

I've found the majority of farming is generally easy.

The only one that gets me sometimes is UW, and that's only the Aatxe.

Either way: I don't think this is going to get touched. If they're going to let all the other countless farming builds exist along with this.

As for running? You can run this build on the majority of professions anyway.

Thizzle · May 23, 2008, 08:46 PM // 20:46

There's no point in nerfing it. Raptors don't cause a major balance disruption in the economy because of their drops and running disrupts nothing so there would be no point in changing it.

Gift3d · May 23, 2008, 08:47 PM // 20:47

It'll probably go back to it's previous time for PvE, and stay how it is now for PvP. I can almost GUARANTEE that's how it'll go down.

Kaleban · May 23, 2008, 08:49 PM // 20:49

I think before they nerf Shadow Form, it would make more sense to nerf Protective Spirit so that its recharge is longer than its duration. There are very few skills inherent to farming builds who's duration is sufficient to outlast the recharge without 16 in the corresponding attribute, PS being one of those few, and without even maxing Protection Prayers.

Besides, then ANet would have to look at skills like Obsidian Flesh, Stoneflesh Aura, Mist Form, etc. that are rarely used in either PvE or PvP play, but almost solely for farming. And that's a slippery slope...

mazza558 · May 23, 2008, 08:50 PM // 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thizzle

There's no point in nerfing it. Raptors don't cause a major balance disruption in the economy because of their drops and running disrupts nothing so there would be no point in changing it.

There's no problem at the moment, but as people start to play around with permaform and come up with ever more ambitious builds, that's when anet will nerf it. At the moment, SF far outstrips any other farming build on survivability, just based on how easy it is to maintain. The 330 HP rit/mo is very fragile, and a lag spike or mistimed skill usage is all over for your run.

Heck, I can now farm Nolani Academy HM whilst half asleep - either way, I'm going to totally abuse the combo as much as I can (it'll probably be nerfed Mon or Tue.) This is almost as good as that Ranger Nature Ritual farm in Urgoz, where you could just lay down 6 spirits and the enemies would drop gold items and all sorts.

FlamingMetroid · May 23, 2008, 08:54 PM // 20:54

prolly never

BlackSephir · May 23, 2008, 08:56 PM // 20:56

You could run perma sf earlier anyway. The only difference now is that you can go /e now, because of glyph of swiftness and that mesmars can keep perma sf I think.

Koricen · May 23, 2008, 09:03 PM // 21:03

Until the "perfect" build comes up where you can farm nearly anything I doubt it will get touched.

I wouldn't put it past them to revert [Spirit Bond] to what it used to be either.

Steps_Descending · May 23, 2008, 09:07 PM // 21:07

My bet : Monday. Am I the only one who think this is way too ridiculous.

Other possible ending : We'll realise Shadow Form is limited or they will make it more limited, that there are more mobs that can hit you throught it and that they can easily kill us. In which case we can be sure they won't touch it.

Tyla · May 23, 2008, 09:12 PM // 21:12

Sani, if you think this is stupid, don't forget to look at Ether Renewal, Ursan and "Save Yourselves!" aswell!

petrorabbit · May 23, 2008, 09:13 PM // 21:13

The pve/pvp skill balancing is a very good thing. ANet is still going to give more attention to the pvp side because that's where the competition is for the players. This is also a good way to encourage the community to experiment more with farming builds since they have little to fear from PvP nerfs now. Besides, with these new possibilities, it just might make end game pve more than just Healers, Necros, and Bears.

Steps_Descending · May 23, 2008, 09:42 PM // 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyla

Sani, if you think this is stupid, don't forget to look at Ether Renewal, Ursan and "Save Yourselves!" aswell!

Yeah maybe it's just me.

Still Save Yourselves and Ursan are PvE-Only skills (meaning their mecanic could be completely out of PvP reach, whereas SF still is a "classic" skill), SAve Yourselves is only an armor bonus (inefective vs AL ignoring dmg)
Ursan is also an hp/AL buff, the KD are only in a certain radius,
SY and Ursan require a full team, whereas SF doesn't,
And I heard Ursan group alway used consumbles, I guess they are either addicted to cons or Ursan isn't so good survival-wise.
About Ether Renewal... it's energy managment, isn't it?

Was that answer excessive? ANd Hey! some people still think the 55 is overpowered dont they.

Tyla · May 23, 2008, 09:46 PM // 21:46

Ah, but this is a PvE-only skill in itself, as it's screwed in PvP, and it's stupid in PvE.

Kaida the Heartless · May 23, 2008, 09:52 PM // 21:52

It'll get nerfed when people realize that you can use an 8 assassin team anywhere and roll stuff. Someone make a video.

Lyssa Apate · May 23, 2008, 09:53 PM // 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koricen

Until the "perfect" build comes up where you can farm nearly anything I doubt it will get touched.

I wouldn't put it past them to revert [Spirit Bond] to what it used to be either.

What was the previous form of Spirit Bond? I never knew it worked different before.. without the 60dmg limit?

Anyway, I've tried it. And my Mesmer could keep it up indefinitely even without 20% mod. But what's the point of re-changing it? It'll only annoy the monsters in PvE...

Steps_Descending · May 23, 2008, 09:54 PM // 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyla

Ah, but this is a PvE-only skill in itself, as it's screwed in PvP, and it's stupid in PvE.

Meaning the only difference now is the solo pottential.
What's left to see is whether they have given up keeping the power of PvE in control and if the SF builds have enough potential to be worth taking action against it. In which case we will get a second generation of Dying Nightmares.

Talking about cake, this is starting to sound like a chat room, think I'll get back on twilight princess.

EDIT:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaida The Heartless

It'll get nerfed when people realize that you can use an 8 assassin team anywhere and roll stuff. Someone make a video.

SHH!!! that was MY idea!

DarkNecrid · May 23, 2008, 09:54 PM // 21:54

You're kidding yourself if you think they're gonna nerf this.

Esan · May 23, 2008, 09:54 PM // 21:54

I doubt Anet will nerf anything for PvE. They are not in a hurry to lose their most numerous customers. At first I thought that this split was Anet's way of justifying nerfing Ursan and SY!, but now I think that they are simply pandering to the lowest common denoinator.