Dark's Itty Bitty Bites #2: Kool Konat and Cautious Fighters
Dec 5, 2022 5:01:16 GMT -5
Zaffran likes this
Post by Jackie on Dec 5, 2022 5:01:16 GMT -5
Heeeeeeey. We're back at it again with a new episode of DARK FIXES THINGS IN HIS OWN HEAD AND SUGGESTS AWFUL IDEAS! Today we'll be discussing our favorite little space elves. Stay tuned to the end for an exclusive excerpt on possibly the worst optional trait a species has on offer in CAUTIOUS FIGHTER! So strap in, we're going to clean up a bit of gripes I have with the overall philosophy of our funny little guys with swords and flutes.
Unlike a lot of the species that changed with the last SPECIES UPDATE, Konatsians really haven't seen much of a change beyond a nerfed starter transformation. Something that is no biggy at this point, honestly. Starting PL skips a good portion of that now with Malus at 100k. No, let's start out talk with something that was inadvertently nerfed with the more recent Q4 2022 BALANCE PATCH.
Once a wholly unique and niche trait that would cost most others a lot of power to perform, this certainly had room to be alright as it was. But that was back when Piercing was the most expensive variant to add to a technique during creation at a whopping 3TP! This has since been reduced to 2TP in the latest patch and has made adding the variant much more viable. Yes, that 10% does change how effectively it can be used at almost all levels. So now we're here stuck with a core trait that is basically the more broad but somehow even stricter version of traits like COMBAT LEARNING which gave the cheaper 2TP variants to be added to mediums and lights so long as they aren't piercing.
We cannot let this stand, people!!! This is simply a grave misdeed! #SaveKonats !!!
Let's look at some options!!!
Baby Option:
This may just be small enough to be noticeable but may not address the actual issue this trait has. Pigeonholing Konatsians into a variant that is now more accessible in general. I only offered this one for posterity's sake, but here's what I'd TRULY like to compete with the likes of other species.
THE REAL SUGGESTION:
Now we're cooking with gas! Doesn't this feel like something that just screams "Warrior Heritage"? This is basically a super beef version of COMBAT LEARNING on par with the likes of the Alien core EXTRATERRESTRIAL.
And, other than my own personal gripes with KEEN SENSES and its Alien counterpart, it's a perfectly serviceable trait for chip damage. The Optionals are both a mix of good and unique. Honestly, outside that first core? Konatsians are pretty alright. Their mods make them pretty beef up until 250k and beyond where they just suffer. Mods are a whole different topic I don't wanna get into right now tho. Tricked ya'll, huh? Thought this would be the long part?
A quickie on Namekians before I go...
I dub it the worst optional trait. I don't typically rag on Namekians because their Core traits and options are some of the most diverse among non-custom aliens. Selfless and Battle Wisdom are ok optionals to fill in the back against a strong front. Notice how that's just 2/3? Yeah, in any actual fight, second wind is fairly underutilized. To use it effectively, you need to be fighting an opponent at less-than-optimal power. Now, yes, you can say "In Character, that makes sense!" but only one other trait asks you intentionally abide by self-imposed limits to be seen as ok at best (METAMORPHOSIS). I guess you could make a case for tierbreaking? But even then it's marginal that it'd make a difference if you're the FIRST with that boost in the first place.
The real stickler is that transforming is pretty much free as long as you have proper access to a form. It and METAMORPHOSIS ask you to play suboptimally where no other traits do. Around mechanics that are very underutilized and depreciated. One's a core, so it's even worse, but this one is an OPTIONAL trait so you could just ignore it... right?
No, I cannot. >:(
It is pretty unique to them, sure, but I feel there's something different you could do here. I come forth with some ideas. A few that keep close to the theme of CAUTIOUS FIGHTER that I came up with, One that's a little off-brand, and one that I grabbed from MORI as a brand new optional idea.
OPTION 1 from me:
Easily pulled from Konats' FATED MUSICIAN, since it made sense and already had precedent on them and Aliens. This is the lazy option, fullstop.
OPTION 2 from me:
I think this idea I came up with is probably the most balanced that keeps something original to the Namekians intact. It's also a cool sort remix on some of the newer things we saw last Species Patch. Playing with the flow of combat by messing with the Momentum is something I've been racking my head around ever since Androids. Think of it as a baby version of the Android's OVERDRIVE.
Different flavor option from ME:
If you didn't like the safer Option 2, and wanted something different from 'Cautious', I gotchu. This is actually a super crazy option honestly but it sounds fun. Doubt it's broken either as it sends the user into -MP hell they have to crawl out of. But now, for MORI'S.
MORI'S zany different flavor
Stretchy movie arms. Need I say more?
Thanks for coming to my TED TALK. Feel free to suggest any other options for these two or discuss how stupid I am. Chiao!
Unlike a lot of the species that changed with the last SPECIES UPDATE, Konatsians really haven't seen much of a change beyond a nerfed starter transformation. Something that is no biggy at this point, honestly. Starting PL skips a good portion of that now with Malus at 100k. No, let's start out talk with something that was inadvertently nerfed with the more recent Q4 2022 BALANCE PATCH.
WARRIOR HERITAGE
Once per thread, add the Piercing Variant to any Standard Technique.
Once per thread, add the Piercing Variant to any Standard Technique.
Once a wholly unique and niche trait that would cost most others a lot of power to perform, this certainly had room to be alright as it was. But that was back when Piercing was the most expensive variant to add to a technique during creation at a whopping 3TP! This has since been reduced to 2TP in the latest patch and has made adding the variant much more viable. Yes, that 10% does change how effectively it can be used at almost all levels. So now we're here stuck with a core trait that is basically the more broad but somehow even stricter version of traits like COMBAT LEARNING which gave the cheaper 2TP variants to be added to mediums and lights so long as they aren't piercing.
We cannot let this stand, people!!! This is simply a grave misdeed! #SaveKonats !!!
Let's look at some options!!!
Baby Option:
WARRIOR HERITAGE
Twice per thread, add the Piercing Variant to any Standard Technique.
Twice per thread, add the Piercing Variant to any Standard Technique.
This may just be small enough to be noticeable but may not address the actual issue this trait has. Pigeonholing Konatsians into a variant that is now more accessible in general. I only offered this one for posterity's sake, but here's what I'd TRULY like to compete with the likes of other species.
THE REAL SUGGESTION:
WARRIOR HERITAGE
Twice per thread, add any Offensive Non-Sparking Variant to any Standard Technique.
Twice per thread, add any Offensive Non-Sparking Variant to any Standard Technique.
Now we're cooking with gas! Doesn't this feel like something that just screams "Warrior Heritage"? This is basically a super beef version of COMBAT LEARNING on par with the likes of the Alien core EXTRATERRESTRIAL.
And, other than my own personal gripes with KEEN SENSES and its Alien counterpart, it's a perfectly serviceable trait for chip damage. The Optionals are both a mix of good and unique. Honestly, outside that first core? Konatsians are pretty alright. Their mods make them pretty beef up until 250k and beyond where they just suffer. Mods are a whole different topic I don't wanna get into right now tho. Tricked ya'll, huh? Thought this would be the long part?
A quickie on Namekians before I go...
CAUTIOUS FIGHTER
Your Second Wind heals you by an additional +5% per Momentum spent.
Your Second Wind heals you by an additional +5% per Momentum spent.
I dub it the worst optional trait. I don't typically rag on Namekians because their Core traits and options are some of the most diverse among non-custom aliens. Selfless and Battle Wisdom are ok optionals to fill in the back against a strong front. Notice how that's just 2/3? Yeah, in any actual fight, second wind is fairly underutilized. To use it effectively, you need to be fighting an opponent at less-than-optimal power. Now, yes, you can say "In Character, that makes sense!" but only one other trait asks you intentionally abide by self-imposed limits to be seen as ok at best (METAMORPHOSIS). I guess you could make a case for tierbreaking? But even then it's marginal that it'd make a difference if you're the FIRST with that boost in the first place.
The real stickler is that transforming is pretty much free as long as you have proper access to a form. It and METAMORPHOSIS ask you to play suboptimally where no other traits do. Around mechanics that are very underutilized and depreciated. One's a core, so it's even worse, but this one is an OPTIONAL trait so you could just ignore it... right?
No, I cannot. >:(
It is pretty unique to them, sure, but I feel there's something different you could do here. I come forth with some ideas. A few that keep close to the theme of CAUTIOUS FIGHTER that I came up with, One that's a little off-brand, and one that I grabbed from MORI as a brand new optional idea.
OPTION 1 from me:
CAUTIOUS FIGHTER
Once per thread, you may reduce the cost of a technique by 1 KP. This can not make techniques free, and is only usable on Standard Techniques.
Once per thread, you may reduce the cost of a technique by 1 KP. This can not make techniques free, and is only usable on Standard Techniques.
Easily pulled from Konats' FATED MUSICIAN, since it made sense and already had precedent on them and Aliens. This is the lazy option, fullstop.
OPTION 2 from me:
CAUTIOUS FIGHTER
Once per thread, you may reduce the momentum cost of a Momentum Effect by 2 MP. Does not include Sparkings or Max Power. This act is still considered spending MP for the purposes of MP regen even if it reduces the cost to 0.
Once per thread, you may reduce the momentum cost of a Momentum Effect by 2 MP. Does not include Sparkings or Max Power. This act is still considered spending MP for the purposes of MP regen even if it reduces the cost to 0.
I think this idea I came up with is probably the most balanced that keeps something original to the Namekians intact. It's also a cool sort remix on some of the newer things we saw last Species Patch. Playing with the flow of combat by messing with the Momentum is something I've been racking my head around ever since Androids. Think of it as a baby version of the Android's OVERDRIVE.
Different flavor option from ME:
WRECKLESS FIGHTER
Once per thread, you can use any one Momentum Effect regardless if you can afford the MP for it. This still reduces your MP by the same amount it would normally, it just allows you to go into the negatives.
Once per thread, you can use any one Momentum Effect regardless if you can afford the MP for it. This still reduces your MP by the same amount it would normally, it just allows you to go into the negatives.
If you didn't like the safer Option 2, and wanted something different from 'Cautious', I gotchu. This is actually a super crazy option honestly but it sounds fun. Doubt it's broken either as it sends the user into -MP hell they have to crawl out of. But now, for MORI'S.
MORI'S zany different flavor
ELASTICITY
Once per thread, you may apply the Homing+ variant to a Standard Technique.
Once per thread, you may apply the Homing+ variant to a Standard Technique.
Stretchy movie arms. Need I say more?
Thanks for coming to my TED TALK. Feel free to suggest any other options for these two or discuss how stupid I am. Chiao!