But are vortexes rarely used now or something? I've been doing some vana runs and the amount of ppl just dropping shivs everywhere is... ridiculous. I bring my ev when I get to do a full party fsc run, but then people start shivving things because "vortexes are bad cc"?
Did something change in the last couple years?
For some reason, they think Shiv is good.
Yeah, I mean, it is not like shiv is the kryptonite to one of the end game boss that all of them will inevitably grind repeatedly or anything.
Shivless Vanas are always fastest in my experience. If someone is Shiving, they're not doing damage. If they aren't doing damage, they're not helping me much. Vana is easy to dodge anyways, so I don't see a need for it. Newer knights need to learn how to be optimal anyways. Teaching them the baby strats won't help them grow.
Also, Shiv stops the shockwaves from Brandishes, reducing damage output. Ain't nobody got time fo dat!
If someone is Shiving, they're not doing damage. If they aren't doing damage, they're not helping me much.
So by your definition, vortexes should be useless too right?
Well, Vortex keeps them in place/sucked together, helping things die, so it gets the pass. Shiv... doesn't.
You've been playing SK for years, so I'm kind of curious why you're defending Shiv. I don't know anyone who's actually good that uses it on runs. And by good, I mean the ones who can do a run in less than 25 minutes. If you're over, something's not right.
Shiv is good, it is how I got into Vana grind in the first place. In C42 it is useful to stop toxoil from running amok and allow my team mate to acheron charge them to death. Shiv is not a bad bomb, it is just that you are way too focused on meta gaming to care about slightly under powered weapons.
I'm all about being optimal/fast, so I don't worry about the slower tactics.
Anyways, sorry for derailing the thread, OP. I answered your question in the #2 post though.
I'm a fan of shivving p5 vana to avoid fire tiles and at least one of the slags. With enough ctr, you can also throw some poison vials between shiv drops.
My issue was more about the floors before vana. It was literally a guy shivving everything and another one spamming a polaris. Got myself stuck in a corner because of that combo, then got asked why I died.
Personally I find that the more experienced and reckless use electron for the sake of fast grinding, however being a former shiver years ago...
Vortex -> Slags and Slimes -> For faster run.
Shiv -> Trojans & Vanaduke -> For safer run.
In my experience, freezing slags can actually be counter-productive, as some people who rely on sword knockback will get rekt.
Vice versa, less experienced players can get caught in vortexes and will also be brutally rekt.
The bombs are NOT separated by skill, they just have different purposes.
I keep calling the knights in p5 vana slags even though I know slags refer to the zombies. I've been doing it for years.
Vortex is still the GOAT in FSC. You might just be playing with newer knights who don't know any better.
For some reason, they think Shiv is good.