Facebreaker Over-Nerfed?

Fair points, Mark. Especially regarding whetstones. In a way, I almost feel as though Facebreaker should have been claws that simply used the unarmed animation, but I suppose that would have broken the novelty factor. It would have kept things a lot cleaner, though. ;)

Someone else has asked for them to be equippable in the weapon slot, which is basically the same thing.

I love the fact that Facebreaker augments a quirky playstyle but I'm not entirely convinced that the item fits snugly in the game as it stands. I can't readily suggest how to make it easier, either -- it's not as though you can add unarmed damage nodes to the tree, even though some people feel it's a glaring exception.

Regarding the animation, I run a Shadow with Shield Charge, and I can't recall seeing an actual weapon attack after the shield bash in the skill.

I can understand why Flicker Strike wasn't placed in the working list, thematically, but if we're going to talk about the thematic accuracy of FS, it probably shouldn't work with a big honking two-handed sword either. I can imagine someone moving *that* fast and hitting quickly afterwards far easier if they're unarmed than if they're carrying a huge, heavy weapon. Agree to disagree there, I think.

Oh, and the quiver rebalancing isn't in yet after all? I hadn't seen patch notes to the positive and I don't have a FB/BG build set up to test it. I look forward to seeing what happens then, given the topic of this thread. :)

Facebreaker should have indeed been a weapon rather than a piece of clothing. A ridge-hand glove, a pair of knuckles, etc...

However, that is not the case, and as such is irrelevant, I suppose.

My only changes I would like to see come with it are as follows :

1. Definitely a few more skills. And I use 'few' very intently. FB can be very overpowered if proper caution is not taken. Ground slam, for example, I think would be a great addition to the unarmed arsenal, and would give a sense of true AoE rather than relying on splash damage from things such as Infernal Blow.

Sure, you may not have a weapon, but the idea of slamming your fist to the earth in such force that it fractures the ground below you enemy...mmmm, delicious. Or it could just be my anime geek showing through.

2. Due to the lack of critical hit chance, since a glove is not a weapon, perhaps this could be changed to apply to unarmed as well. I specify 'chance' and not 'multiplier' quite intentionally. I am not thinking of a package deal, but rather specifically 'chance' only. Of course, the lack of a weapon removes the base crit chance that comes with all weapons, but passive nodes are what I have in mind.

3. I would, indeed, love to see FB work with Shield Charge. I believe many others would as well. Especially if the ability to utilize a quiver with the mitts is removed.

With these few changes, I would love to get out my mitts and turn everything in Wraeclast into punch drunk piles of splintered bone.

I know FB was meant as a novelty. However, it is the one unique we currently have that offers an alternative style of combat. Each other unique I have found simply exemplifies currently used aspects of common builds. FB, on the other hand, takes what was once a very uncommon thought and gives it purpose.

I would love to see this purpose expanded just a little more.

(mumble Yes Monks Are Awesome mumble)

A passing thought...

If one were to purchase Diamond in order to contribute another Unique, what is the likelihood of a unique specifically designed to enhance a FB build would be seen as too out of balance?

For Example :

(Insert Name of Ring Here)

10-25 Added Physical Damage
5-25% Increased Melee Damage
5%-25% Increased Attack Speed
25% To All Elemental Resists
Resolute Technique
Must Be Unarmed

Granted, I have not attempted to validate number ranges according to available affixes, but it is meant as an example, and nothing more.

The idea is to contribute modifiers specifically to enhance an unarmed build, as well as make up for a commonly used passive with the build, and a small amount if lost potential by replacing a piece of armor in exchange for the item perks.

"

Mark_GGG wrote:

(...) Iron Man build (...)

HEY DREGGON, LOOK AT THIS, WE ARE OFFICIAL.

"

Amarena wrote:

"

Mark_GGG wrote:

(...) Iron Man build (...)

HEY DREGGON, LOOK AT THIS, WE ARE OFFICIAL.

I can't find that post :(

"

Dreggon wrote:

"

Amarena wrote:

"

Mark_GGG wrote:

(...) Iron Man build (...)

HEY DREGGON, LOOK AT THIS, WE ARE OFFICIAL.

I can't find that post :(

It's on the first page, Marks first post talking about viability of different builds.

facebreaker is borderline op if you gear it right.

Just saying.

The sound of an unarmed flicker sounds cool to me thematically. Teleporting then punching or kicking someone in the face sounds like the work of a ninja.

The unarmed issues that came about with face breaker actually highlight more basic issues with "unarmed" damage when I think about it.



Obviously the line of thought shown in the spoiler isn't one I see being implemented any time soon. It probably would require a whole lot of thinking and redefinition, plus a ton of coding work for poor mark, but the idea simply seems like one that needs mentioning.