New Keeper Nano Changes

[Kintaii]

Alright guys, as noted in this week's Fw(o)M thread we've released the big Keeper nano changes document. Links to the excel file can be found in this week's Fw(o)M thread or in the Balance Documentation thread stickied in this forum.

A few things to note in here: First off, the addition of the new Reverse Knockback mechanic as a nano, known as "Clarion Call". Right now there's only the one in the document, however we are discussing creating an extended nanoline utilizing the effect which would offer higher taunt values and potentially a shorter cooldown. We'll talk more about that down the line, however.

Clarion Call will have two different cooldown timers, depending on its target - In PvM the cooldown will be relatively short, while if used on a PvP target the cooldown will be considerably longer. This way Keepers can utilize the mechanic as a crowd control mechanic in PvM content, helping to manage multiple targets if need be, while keeping the mechanic from being overwhelming during PvP action. The document currently does *not* reflect this but will be added in during future revisions.

The Keeper Nemesis Nano also bears a bit of explaining: The Keeper casts this nano on another player. Whenever the Keeper is struck by this target, said target will receive a short-term snare; additionally, if the target is wielding a ranged weapon, the target will take 1000 points of damage each time they shoot the Keeper.

Also, just for the record, though this document doesn't reflect it yet we *are* looking into the possibility of creating additional offensive aura lines for the Keeper profession - Just haven't gotten our thoughts finalized on those just yet. So there'll be more information on that front coming in the near future. Additional, we've discussed adding in new extensions to the Wrath/Fury lines, however we will most likely be doing this *outside* of the current Rebalancing work and adding them in at a later date as content rewards and such.

And that's the biggest notes, I believe. Genele and myself will be around and may pop in to answer a few questions if we feel the need. Otherwise, enjoy pouring over the information. =)

[Gridpain]

additionally, if the target is wielding a ranged weapon, the target will take 1000 points of damage each time they shoot the Keeper.

arf, you may want to scale this .... or TL3 keeper going to be fun

[Kintaii]

blargh. >< Yeah, sorry, should have mentioned that - The new nemesis nano reworks *will* most likely see some fashion of scaling in terms of their effects, particularly when it comes to straight damage done. So don't take the "-1000 HP" thing as being static across all levels (or even a finalized number in any fashion).

[Kinkstaah]

Interesting, positive, logical changes once again.

I look forward to these changes for Enfohahaha we're ****ed.
But +1 for keepers!

[cbus97]

Keepers get a Beast shield! O.o

[Asgarith]

The "Short-Sighted Vengeance" nano has 50% BM, 50% MM as attack skill in the documentation. I hope that is an error and should be 50% BM, 50% PM because i don't know a lot of keepers that have spent any points in MM

[Grim-One]

New Melee Energy buff, woot! Has it been determined yet how it will be given out? As in new quest or just part collection?
Clarion Call looks interesting. Keepers now the new Enforcer?

[Raggy]

New Melee Energy buff, woot! Has it been determined yet how it will be given out? As in new quest or just part collection?
Clarion Call looks interesting. Keepers now the new Enforcer?

Hopefully they can be secondary tanks now. That would actually make me level my Keeper.


I hate Enfos in how they play. But Keepers have no real 'position' in a team right now... they are just, well, there. Having them as backup tanks would allow more teaming opportunities for when there just isn't an Enfo around.

As for the ME support. Possible Lightsabre Keeper setup ftw!



Brilliant changes guys, really, this has me all excited xD

[bitnykk]

i'm no keeper specialist.

though i wonder if the wraith/fury/sneack booster will cost evade or damage ; the description seems to mean you gain 2H/ME/SA against evades, while the detail shows a damage debuff instead ...

out of this i need to wait a PVP testing moment to check this all in a rebalance context, but so far improving the taunt/aggro options for PVM keepers seems fine anyways for certain encounters that don't absolutely require an high HP tank.

[Shrubberyman]

Might be reading it wrong, but I don't see anything hinting at any tradeoff...

Anyway, still if I read it right, we will be having endgame keepers with 22% (from nano, so, 42% with graft and bracers?) reflect or 2 normal and 2 special blockers every 25s, 1 1800 snare every 30s, a root every 60s, a reversed knockback every 30s, a 1000 damage shield vs ranged users in some situations and better healing from procs... And new auras which will break either roots, stuns, UBTs or blinds every 20s...
Nice haul.

[schloops]

While I'm happy keepers are getting attention in pvp, I'm really not competent at discussing keeper stuff so I'll stop there, saying I'm happy it is their turn.

Pvm: I like those target taunts... I strongly believe that while it is important that enfos keep their job, imongo + bi is a lil easy and leaves few space for chaos, against "normal" mobs, at least in fully instanced environments with no repops.

I still believe the best ao dungeons to all be semi-instanced rk dungeons, where different paths brings people moving around the dungeon, eventually bringing chaos. I can understand the will to have some stuff instanced, but most of it being instanced (after level 100) is a bad direction for me, as it kills way too many options for chaos and randomness.
Repops are important here, ofc.
In such a dungeon, imongo is less a problem, because while it is very efficient at making enfo the tank, it could also end up with the enfo tanking way more mobs than expected... so it starts running, dies or not, but chaos and randomness are there, squishies start getting hit etc. And THERE, your keeper grabs a couple mobs, alleviating the push on the enfo, saving squishies... the doc gets nervous etc.
Ideally, (as is coming if I'm not mistaken) docs (and others... even with pnhe) need to sit to refill (or be helped by team mates)... sitting grabbing attention etc... we end up with players reacting to dynamic situations... and hell can break loose again... like in those great rk dungeons, at low level. Let me remind you of Lien, with it's small adds that are a pain for the doc, stopping it from refilling regularly.

Mmmmm this is the balance section and I'm talking pvm... just saw it now... but it is, in a way, linked to those new keep taunts .

[Xtremtech]

Balance applies in PvM too... it's just perhaps not so often talked about these days.

I think it's nice that both the MA and Keeper nano changes seem to be focussed on increasing flexibility of professions and providing valid secondary roles. If that kind of approach continues with other professions then the balance changes may well be a great success in PvM.

X

[Vgman01]

*insert complaing about keeper changes looking far better then ma changes as well as obligitory "i told you ma's would be left behind" comment.

[thunderstriker]

hmm Melee energy.. well that can fun. but not realy that much of a biggie.. could have been a bit more fun to look into going whit a 1he line added a shield for keepers only. (nano cast or item )

as for the nemesis nano ... Whuhu finaly something a bit more usefull then - rifle for short time... looking forward to see how it will be..

Pull back agg tool WHUHUU all i can say... maby add a bit more taunt to it. and keepers will literaly be main tanks.

Els looks nice , but realy could use a nother setup insted of 2he and melee energy. will end whit 2he keepers as whe see now or whit Xan light sabers. .

[Moonbolt]

or with alot of wepons in the game requiring both ME and 2he that might be an option for FC to implement more of them.

[-Klod-]

I wonder what great changes are MPs going to get, except blockers removal and added disfunctionality of their pets.

[hokutonoken]

finally ,

people was say "i'm a trendy and up to date keeper"....i wont look so gimp with my cool Light sabre set up at lv220 ^_^

[XenonDe]

Wow.

Lots more survivability added in pvm. Looking forward to see melee energy users.

[Righteous]

P.S. will there be additional support in the form of Melee Energy Perks associated with the granting of Melee Energy buffs to Keepers?

[Shrubberyman]

Just thought I would add : seems like Keepers are getting more survivability and more options to be in range of their target, and ok, a nice 4k/5k PvP damage every 15s. But there's still place for improvement in the offence departement, don't get why ME's Fury is so much subpar compared with 2he's wrath.