One thing I particularly like about the Arbites skill tree is how it has two sets of keystones - the usual end of tree keystones to lean into a particular playstyle but also the band of dog modifying keystones half way that are pretty passive but still have meaning.
Ive been thinking about how a tree might help vet make use of their armoury in ways that feel meaningfully different from when those guns are in the hands of other classes to help promote build variety.
I think a selection of passive primary weapon modifier keystones could be a good way to represent a vets bond with their weapon in the same way an Arbites specialises their dog.
Tried to think of a few that would be meaningful but also still somewhat flexible with what weapon youd want to pair them with:
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Eagle Eye - First shot in a salvo auto crits on weakspot hit
Meant to help lean into precision weapons to help vets hit breakpoints without RNG while still rewarding good marksmanship.- Tied to salvo to prevent it being disproportionately effective for guns that rely on volume
- Can be balanced by adjusting the salvo reset on a per gun basis
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Extended Magazine - positive multiplier to magazine size (rounding up i guess?)
Meant to be a more middle of the road option, has value both for bullet hoses and low capacity heavy hitters.- Being a mag size multiplier its impact should be proportional across all weapons
- Could alternatively be a reload speed buff
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Overcharged Ammo - Overkill damage converted into suppression % AOE localised on target
Meant to synergise well with heavy hitters to turn the wasted extra damage into a feature by playing into the suppression system, used right it should help the bolter and plasma make space to reload as part of the weapon system- Because realistically a bunch of your buddies getting overkilled into a fine mist by bolter or plasma should give most people reason to hesitate
- Can be balanced by tuning damage to suppression ratio
- Alternatively could inflict impact instead (stagger)
I like the idea that the Vet, being a weapons specialist, knows how to do more to lean into their favored weapons strengths. Was tempted to write up a post for it, but I always regret things like that after I hit post lol
I wont pretend to be an authority on its proper utilisation lol.
That last bit was more just me grumbling about why I don’t like how it feels to use than anything relevant to the discussion regarding reworks for a vet tree. As a representation of an inspiring officer I think its a good skill both thematically and functionally and it clearly has a lot going for it so I have nothing id demand be changed… ill leave the debates about golden toughness for people who rely on it more
Honestly I don’t have many complaints about the core concepts of the current abilities besides maybe infiltrator, rather than invent new ones I think they just need to stop cutting up the skills so you have to buy back functionality and offer expansion keys that provide specialisation instead.