Comparing nemesis and bloodlines on melee vs. ranged

1.: Why do I compare these 2? Because I think that there are enough similarities between them. They both resolve around the idea that certain mobs are stronger than usual do to having some extra affixes. I hope everyone agrees that comparing these 2 makes sense.

Nemesis: generally, going melee is more dangerous and the "on hit" effects in this league affected melee more than ranged. But with proximity shield and shroud walker we had 2 mods that were especially dangerous for ranged, because it forced them into close combat with these rares. We also had enough mods, corrupting blood, storm herald, hexfont, that could be dangerous to both melee and ranged. So all in all pretty evenly spread out here.

Bloodlines: In my opinion, this league has far too few mods at really affect ranged, but far to many that make melee characters suffer a lot while ranged characters are safe simply because they are ranged.

Examples:
Bond of chaos and Flaring/Rime/Static Pulseblood: only affects characters that are close by/ between the mobs

Cult of the elements: Very dangerous for melee, being shocked, ignited and chilled whlie the mobs attack normally. Ranged not really affected due to the short range of these auras.

Flame/Frost/Stormbearers and Heralds of the Obelisk : on death effects that deal elemental damage in a pretty small area. Only the lightning warp obelisks can really become dangerous for ranged.

Necrovigil: drawing groups of monsters together around you as a melee character is not a good idea with this mod.

Phylacteral Link: Switching targets is generally easier for ranged, especially against ranged packs that don't come to you themselves.

Against all these there is not really anything that is designed especially against ranged.

In conclusion I must say that Bloodlines seems inferior to Nemesis balance wise. This is especially bad, because many players that have melee builds are already complaining that their play style is inferior to ranged just by the general balance of the game.


Do feel asked to tell your own opinion about this post and this issue, but mind your language, please. Thankyou!

Great post.

Your analysis is spot on!

Esp. the obelisks in multiproj maps are deadly.

Agreed. I've been having the most issues with Cult of the elements, standing there shocked and chilled is a one way ticket to standard.

Melee has it is real rough this league, I don't understand why GGG doesn't want to do something about that, or at least acknowledge the issue.