I'm beginning to think playing an NT is leading me to clinical depression. The 'love' we're getting in the next patch seems like a well pronounced misunderstanding of the problems with NTs, so I'm wondering if I can just get some antidepressants to carry me to 220. Nothing makes NTs (nearly) tolerable like a drug-induced grin. It may seem extreme, but can you think of another way to suffer an NT for another 13 levels?
Steveo said this regarding the new nanos NTs get with 16.3, but I'm convinced it applies quite directly to NTs across the board.
It was when I read this that I realized it's not just this nano that is punishment oriented; it's our entire class. NTs are punishment oriented, and always have been.
AO at release:
You can have nukes that do less than average damage, but they're going to taunt giving you aggro you cannot handle.
Later:
To handle that aggro NS2 will give you a defensive barrier that will make you impervious to damage, but you won't be able to move, and your RRF will cancel so you'll be even more susceptible to damage after the nano ends. Furthermore, you can only use this periodically, so between NS2 casts you'll have to just nuke 2 or 3 times per fight with taunt nukes, and use low damage nukes the rest of the time.
With SL:
A new line of nanos that do not taunt should let you play a more consistent role in teams. Punishment time. You will no longer be able to use a weapon, and insta-casting is a thing of the past. You now have to stand there casting so that you can be interrupted. Also, each new nuke is level locked, and generally is good for far less damage than any RK nuke you would otherwise be able to cast. As a parting gift, all mobs now have unbelievable ACs and you'll be hitting them for minimum damage on every cast, forever. Higher min-damage weapons have been given to every other class in the game, but you my friend will need to go ahead and continue using the same stuff.
With AI:
New dots should help increase your overall damage output! Time for the bad news. All dots until the very last few actually lower your damage output due to enormous cast times and very low damage from the dots. With that established, please help yourself to somewhere around 25,000 alien kills before you can begin to feel any real benefits from AI.
Haven't we had enough punishment? Can't we just get a break?
I've been on LFT in Inferno for two hours, which has given me ample time to write this. No one wants an NT in their team. No one should want an NT in their team.