A Troika Family Update
I'd like to see these swords used more. They hit hard and are fun to use. But spiral knights doesn't really give a lot of benefit to using these swords over other swords, especially the well-loved brandish family. Sure they might deal more damage per hit in some situations, but the dps? Or the efficient use of them? Not so good. Let's buff the Troika family a bit so using them is a question of swordie style preference instead of raw dps. I'll also add a few new members to the Troika line for this idea.
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Gameplay:
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Attack speed of the sword could be greatly increased. Instead of taking forever to swing, your knight will hit hard and fast with the current attack patterns, then your knight pants and slows down for a few moments to recover from using such a large weapon this way. An actual uniform MSD and ASD penalty of 2-3 seconds could show up in your HUD if you execute the second swing, with a ~25% chance of that occurring with just the first swing. This allows strategic use of a heavy sword, instead of it just being...an unfavorable slug. I mean some of these blades are named after dances, but I do not feel like I'm dancing with these, more like hefting a log and dying in the process. Of course, MSI and ASI boosts in your loadout will prevent your knight from becoming too vulnerable after attacking (knockback provides some leeway), as well as aid the initial offense.
Chance to inflict status on charge hit increased to be similar to that of the brandish, with enemies closer to the point of impact more likely to be inflicted. Knockback effects remain unchanged. The swords have a chance to stun the user immediately after the sword impacts. Any amount of stun resistance negates this possibility - even one low uv. Shattering your arm is just something that wielders of the sword have to be wary of. I mean really, knights insist on using just one hand, I feel like this is at least somewhat accurate.
EDIT from feedback: or just simply buff damage, charge time, and attack speed to make the sword "worth it" without complicated mechanics. Add a bit more knockback for regular attacks/charge attack.
EDIT from feedback: once the knight starts the attack, the attack is only able to be interrupted by shock stutters.
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Aesthetics:
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All members of the troika line will seem to make your knight "heavier" in that they will add a small, aesthetically pleasing trail of "footprints" if you have it out while you move. These effects only show up on high graphics (if that's manageable, idk, I'm not a scripter) in case you want to play without the lagging effects some trailing entities have. The effects are more noticeable as a trail, but they will show up under your feet somewhat even if you stand still. In non combat areas, the trail will show up if you have the weapon in the first weapon slot (vs in combat areas, it has to be "out."). The trail patterns/distance/duration are extremely similar to the Dreadful Aura, but with "deeper" cracks. Double that aura up yo. More details on the different trail types below.
I'd like to see more swords added to the family to further encourage knights to "check them out" and have fun with them. Here's a list of family lines and their names:
Existing swords:
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Troika: the root of these mighty swords. Leaves a sprouting trail of mossy cracks, like a minor blossom aura. The rest of the line up to suda has deeper and deeper floor cracks, with the suda leaving glowing cracks that seem to be filled with sunlight.
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Triglav line: same crack pattern, but glowing veins of ice instead. More snowflakes appear upwards from the cracks with higher star levels.
New swords:
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Fire:
Troika > Fjalarr > Vigrid > Surtr
The 3* is crimson with black decorations, the 4* is black with glowing red decorations, and the 5* consists of dark red magma-like light within charred black shards. It drips lava occasionally. The charge attack of the 5* causes a miniature volcanic eruption. The trailing effect is of course cracks filled with magma. The name line references a prophesied build-up to a fiery Nordic giant's fight with established gods.
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Shock:
Troika > ??? > ??? > Gram (the third troika)
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Other Status:
Troika > ??? > ??? > ???
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You guys have fun with acquisition, balance, names, and aesthetics.
The Problem with Troika lines is that they are normal damage weapons and are slow. With flourishes and brandishes offering immediate and high damage and SS lines being faster and just as hard hitting there is little reason for players to get any troika.
They need both a speed and CTR buff. These weapons should swing faster and charge really fast, this quick charge would allow party guardians to quickly get in powerful stun/freeze hits.
The troika lines are built around movement inhibiting status so Fire wouldn't fit and the Gram is only for GMs.