Not being able to kill enemies with 1 blow is an improvement?

Yes, this change may make the bomb better against really big crowds, but at what cost?
There's no reason to do this instead of let RSS be and give this mechanic to a new bomb entirely.

This bomb proposal has potential. But, has Nick considered implementing these changes into another bomb family and leave the shard bombs as is? (Read: people will buy more CE to craft either way.)

The thing is that shard bombs like RSS have been around so long it have become part of their style. Now when you push such a significant change at a late stage, it would be like asking some people to suddenly switch from right-handedness to left-handedness. It would be easier to push this kind of change if the change is an incremental improvement over the old version and it is backward compatible. From what I'm reading from the bomb proposal, this is not the case. I suspect it will cause another backslash when it is implemented.

And if Nick does insist to take away RSS, can you give us a new bomb that could one shot enemies that only skillful players could master please? Mastering RSS is one way to tell how good a bomber is. If you insist to take away this tool, we urge you to think of an alternative just in case your new version doesn't meet the reception that you anticipated.

I like the idea of the new shards but the new version seems like a dreadfully long process(i.e. initial explosion, wait for travel time, then other explosion). I still think the shards themselves should do damage (maybe reduced) while adding this effect. But hopfully if this patch does go through we can expect a 5* version of these bombs,

Or as others have said, make another bomb to be the old RSS/ISB.

Well, when I watch the beta Tortodrone shard attack, then think of what nick said...

We dont know the size of the shards
We dont know how much damage the explosion plus each shard will do
We dont know how large the shard ring will be.

You gotta take into consideration other stuff too.

Anyways you're gonna get used to it, along with everyone else minus the recurring rager on CE and crap. We got usde to the SLs, AH, Missions (for the most part; Why is it so hard for this community to just accept change and move on? I'm fine with the 20 out of 1million raging people who take the time to complain instead of work, but I dont want another entire topic for people to freak out about.

I know it probably wont get that bad, but you never know. If it acts more like the Divine Avenger change (the reaction of the playerbase) did, then it should be bearable.

Though I think "high hopes for it" is all I can say, not being a bomber :/

EDIT:
"Or as others have said, make another bomb to be the old RSS/ISB."

I completely agree with this, but Nick said it was to make it fall in line with the rest of the bombs, so i doubt we'll see any more of the old RSS :( (take vids and pics while you can.)

Perhaps add on a similar feature to the DBB Snarby bomb instead? Mybe not as many bullets, but something like the Sentezza bullets with the same sort of effect?

Looking on the bright side however, These shards might be as spammable as Haze bombs and Nitronome, so it could make up for the loss of the bullet range?

Idk

@Dukeplatypus
Dude, you don't even know what they're adding with the RSS change to round out the arsenal. You're just being rash and immature.

Yes, you're right. Given that we don't know exactly how the new bomb will turn out, we might be overreacting a bit.

But let us consider some alternatives. Rather than totally changing the play style of one of the favorite bombs, why not add that play style? Nick says that shard bombs do not serve the purpose they were originally intended to serve. OK, so they were a mistake. But a happy one! First, OOO gets so few happy mistakes, they really should take a win when they get one. Second, some great inventions in real life have come about through mistakes (Splenda was supposed to be rat poison, I hear). So, Shards don't fill the niche they wanted, OK! They fill something else! Now make the bomb to fill that area damage niche.

Another issue here: there are currently four mostly if not completely useless bombs in the game. This change will fix one, supposedly (ISB). That still leaves three that no one uses. The proposed bomb sounds very gremlin-like (someone in the first thread reacting to it even pointed that out). Well, hey, the Deconstructor looks very gremlin-like, and that bomb needs love, so why not do this to the deconstructor line?

And forgive us bombers if we don't get excited about "new" bombs. First, those bombs haven't been described at all. Second, we already have bombs we don't care for, that there is no sign of fixing. Third, you just told us you were going to kick our favorite pet puppy until it died of internal bleeding. And now, to make us happy, you say that someday in the future we may get some candy that we may or may not like, and that's supposed to make us forget the puppy you just kicked??

Sorry. I don't really think we're over-reacting at all. It's not that I don't think the new bomb will be cool. It sounds very cool! But no matter how cool it is, RSS won't do what it does now, and nothing is being offered to fill that niche.

And the suggestion "make another bomb to do RSS" is just dumb. Don't do that! Make another bomb to do the new thing! Changing the shards to clusters and then making a new shard is a really daft thing to do.

Signed!

I agree, this change is crap. I'm all for a new attack style- but make it a new item, or change an existing item that blows rather than one of the few items that is balanced in both the clockworks and lockdown. If this had been suggested in "suggestions", people would have laughed, because thats what it is, laughable.

Although I am fine with changing I(r)SB though- that needs it, although all it really needs is a faster charge and shadow damage, not a new attack pattern.

@"We don't know! It could be good!"

What we DO know:
-It will change RSS to deal an initial blast and then send out shards that stick to the ground and explode.
-RSS is a major weapon in lockdown, being one of the few items in lockdown capable of competing with the other few items used.
-There are bombs that need boosts, most notably the heavy deconstructor, which mirrors the attack style suggested almost perfectly when used by gremlins.
-If RSS is changed to the new style, it may weaken game balance rather than enhance it due to its already balanced state.
-There are several other weapons that mirror the attack style of another weapon type- like biohazard, polaris, dark retribution, and winmillion.
-The developers probably haven't programmed it yet. This is significant in that if we do petition, then we might keep our sun shards, whereas if we wait 3 months and then start protesting, the devs will be more likely to implement it just because they worked on it and it is done.
-In order to deal massive amounts of damage, a good deal of finesse is needed. I am able to fight slimes perfectly with it as if I am using my acheron, but I have seen many others fail to grasp the power of the sun shards- meaning that unless you are able to practice and become one with the shards, you aren't going to be game breaking. And the same can be said for most other weapons.
-The devs STILL haven't buffed the iron slug.

I think that we know enough to petition. Not that petitions do anything.

Is the test server even up with the new mechanics yet? If it is I can probably find the animation and get a semblance of the size.

@Oatmonster: smelly armor, lol

plusone

I made a Crystal Bomb for the sole purpose of upgrading to play with RSS mechanics. I then spent a not-inconsiderable amount ragecrafting for good UVs on the bomb... and now they're revamping it entirely.
/rageface

The Snarble Barb line launches a whole bunch of projectiles which can fly pretty far.
The Spur line launches projectiles, too.
The Brandish lines generates a line of explosions on its charge attack.
The Catalyser lines have charge attacks which explode upon being hit by a standard shot.
The bomb is something that takes some practise in order to rack up high damage. I fail to see why people shouldn't be rewarded for the time taken to gain that skill.

Thank you Michaelb for pointing out the obvious. Nick basically said that was the whole point of the change.

Personally, I'm glad for the change. I can't wait to see what the new bombs will be able to do. Yes, LD bombers can cry all they want over losing the ability to spam with crystal bombs, but my prediction is that the new bomb, with the spread and explosive bits, will be even more powerful and potent if used correctly. Seriously, how does hitting everyone on a capture point with not just a shard, but with multiple EXPLOSIVE shards sound? I'm in. Sooooooooooo in.

I am most concerned about losing our only ranged attack and losing one of the only non team disruptive dps bombs. I could be wrong but I find it hard to imagine a cluster bomb not being disruptive in a team.

They could have added one second to Radiant Sun line charge to balance against Blitz and spin-charge swords which already deal significant damage. They nerfed its damage already yet it still has significant damage, even though Blitz in comparison has very similar rates to time to target; if shard bombs are overpowered, Blitz is overpowered. Fang of Vog is supposed to be slightly overpowered because of how "difficult" it is to obtain and Leviathan line is the easiest sword to get to 5* since the mission update; they literally give you the recipes for free.

I just got wind of this and all i can say is after thinking some and reading what other, like minded players have said, i also believe that it'd be better to leave RSS as it is and either have ISB as the new cluster style bomb or just come out with a cluster line bomb. I personally find RSS a very useful bomb, without it when soloing as pure bomber or bomber/swordsman it is extremely useful for taking out gun puppies from a safe distance or, if able to kite as i am, when using in FSC etc. it is highly useful as a pure damage bomb.

+1 to the post as i think Shard bombs, with maybe the exception of ISB should remain as they are.

"you can see"

Many people's problem is that there are guns that are not necessarily gun-like. Or swords not sword-like. Which is why many people are arguing that this is a bad reason to change rss, instead of implementing a new bomb which could take the pure elemental spot of a bomber's loadout with this mechanic.

The main issue is that they are changing it to begin with when they could make a completely different weapon have the new mechanic instead of changing what we already have.

Pay attention. Admission is not free.

Like Nick said, they are making bombs = explosions and guns = bullets/proyectiles .
Also, 5*.

@Canozo Could you please say something regarding the fact that there are many other items that do not fit their category; (e.g. Polaris, Biohzard, winmillion)???

I feel its wrong to reference Nick making a point that has been refuted several times over without putting in additional commentary or thought.

You are a box.

There is no sense crying
over every giant post.
We just keep on trying
to understand it the most.
And the reading gets done
and you realize the change is dumb
for the people who already have the bomb.

Yes, they should make Deconstructor line have the change. It would instantly become more popular and more viable without substantially affecting those who have it, since it would be an upgrade. A 5* for Deconstructor line would also be pleasant.

I like your verse Luguiru. Sums up the thing well. =)

@zeddy it's bombs are explody.

Alot of what's going on in this thread is why they have to change a bomb that works well when they could just make a new one? RSS is the only range that bombers get and no matter what they add it will not make up for range and an overall great bomb.

But you'll never see it happen cause we're not allowed to one shot deadnaughts

Didn't they say RSS was gonna bump up to 5* now?

I particularly liked rss being a much cheaper to manufacture weapon. Especially when starting a volcanic demo set and 4 bombs from scratch...I've got all that stuff fully heated now so having to upgrade again isn't too bad, just slightly annoying.

I am a fan of yours now. Please enjoy my clapping. *Claps*

+1 to this thread. We want new bombs, but we don't want our Crystal Bombs taken away. These new bombs should be the Deconstructor line, it suits well with the mechanics that Nick explained, not to mention a chance to have a elemental bomb... and then we would have different attribute bombs with different mechanics (piercing > area with no knockback, elemental > multi explosion in ring, shadow > rings, without counting the vortex bombs)