Spiral Knights - I think its about time...

I think its about time...

5 replies [Last post]

Sun, 04/24/2016 - 09:44

Defeat

I think it's about time our favorite ugly little yellow swift strike shields get a makeover. I have two different ideas on how SK could go about this.

#1. the obvious choice * drumroll...* promos!! Release some sort of promo where swiftstrike shield reskins would be in the loot. I would want to see atleast 3 different versions, a shadow, divine and volcanic swiftstrike would be glorious <3.

#2. (the "better in my opinion but more work to implement so less likely-plan") we allow swiftstrike shields to be upgradeable via crafting with many new variations. The new varients would just be a verrry very small defensive upgrade( or none at all) and a change of status type resist. Whichever status resist you choose would obviously change the color/particle effects of your new swiftstrike.

Theres alot more you could play with the stats on upgraded shields too, like taking away some of the attack speed and trading it for move speed, or more defenses as it rises in stars. 4star asi med defense med. 5star asi low defense high etc. that's where the devs would get creative ( or not xD) But I think my 2 previously mentioned ideas would be fairly reasonable and create some much needed diversity.

Sun, 04/24/2016 - 21:25

Fangel

Welp

That first version sounds awfully familiar.

But meh, if we have an upgradable swiftstrike I would recommend that its ASI buff be reduced to medium at 4*, and then universal low and sword low at 5*.

The reason the swiftstrike buckler is balanced in its current state is because it's got so low defenses and such high boosts. Increase the defense and it starts to look like the only viable shield choice, so reducing its bonuses to aid in defense seems logical.

Sun, 04/24/2016 - 22:31

My-Honest-Opinion

Hmm..

I think it's fine the way it looks now. I think that it looks cute.

I also think it's fine the way it is now, at 3*. However, I wouldn't mind an attack speed debuff and 5* just so I can finish my freaking HoH. That being said, I think that reducing it to ASI low would be like a kick in the nuts. Medium ASI for guns only would be nice, since swords already have their dark thorn with medium damage increase.

Mon, 04/25/2016 - 00:22

Fangel

It's a tradeoff

If you use if for ASI high, then keep it at 3*. If you use it for ASI + blocking hits, then maybe 4* will work best for you. If you basically only use swords, then the 5* version might come in handy.

Heck, the description for the shield specifically mentions melee attacks. I would love to see more variants for different weapon types and have our current buckler be changed to sword ASI high.

Mon, 04/25/2016 - 02:20

Fehzor

Yes. We even provided a couple of variants they could fix up and stick into the box. Unfortunately I don't believe there are any artists available to work on this promotion or idea, unless Ian is to be briefly stolen away from Nick.

Upgrade-able swiftstrike is another discussion. There's the cheap way out that Fangel describes (why would I pay for that Fangel that's dumb just keep it at 3* and use defense shields if you really want defense shields), the overpowering way that the OP describes (i.e. upgrade for buffs! Mmmm) and then there's the soul crushing way wherein it starts off worse and gets better. None of them are really very good, though Fangel's cheap way out is at least not player-angering or game-breaking.

I guess if it were up to me I'd give it a makeover of sorts and extend it into tier 3. It would start with asi med and alright defenses, better than what it has now. Then it would grow into the current iteration, but would be considered 4*. Then it would lose all of its normal resistance and health and become an even weaker 5* shield that gains ctr med as well. That way it sort of works its way up to being the ultimate glass cannon shield.

It'd be a bit on the too-powerful side of things but honestly perhaps this is the balance our shields should be striving for anyway. Start out being highly defensive compared to enemies, end up being less defensive but providing various buffs to things. I like it.

Mon, 04/25/2016 - 04:01

My-Honest-Opinion

My opinion on buffing

My opinion on specifying the weapon buff for the swiftstrike

Swords are overpowered already ( in PvE ). All you need to do is charge spam and you win the game. I don't even know why they'd need ASI.

For guns, the shield goes hand in hand for weapon switching and shield bumping so it would make sense that the shield buffs the gun.

ASI high is also extremely beneficial for bombs too so it would destroy a lot of mad bomber's hearts if this buff was taken from them and given to the wolvers.

How about we have a 5* shield with universal ASI high ( just so I can complete my HoH and be a little politically correct ) with 0 defense so when you take a hit, it breaks the shield and you still take full damage. But its regeneration is like 3x higher so you can still shield bump regularly when you get crowded.

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I think its about time...