Nice! I’ve got a Shade DD true solo with Cloak of Mists but without Vanish coming up soon (mentioning it since it’s relevant to the thread). What I noted during the run was that DD felt very stealth dependent for heavies vs hordes, otherwise I was just light spamming which was effective but didn’t always feel great. This contrasts poorly with WHC + Rapier & Deathknell imo, where mixing in heavies is rewarding and possible under pressure. I’ll have to see how DD fairs under max attack speed Handmaiden (I think reach may still be an issue).
I was worried about its identity as well. It would affect Shade’s backstabs too which could have bad effects (would depend on the exact damage change). I guess I’m a bit too used to the Rapier’s reach, how well it operates under pressure and how good it is at picking out targets while kiting. I’d like an alternative too it haha.
Yeah I’ve never been a fan of the Glaive either. It’s in a weird spot right now - on paper it’s got a great single target dps heavy chain and good chip damage, but it has no access to a decent level of medium armour damage (it’s either chip from lights or big damage from the vulnerable heavies). It also lacks reach for a 2h. I’d compare the Glaive to the Falchion. The Glaive has slightly more cleave but it barely matters because they both already cleave unstaggered Marauders. Similar reach. The Falchion deals with shields more effectively, since both heavies and L3 break them, has 1 more dodge and 25% more dodge range, and has access to combined chip (lights 1 & 2) and medium armour damage (L3). Yet the Falchion isn’t op. The only thing Glaive comes out on top against is CWs. So buffs, like increasing the headshot damage of the lights vs armour and maybe throwing the Tank modifier into the weapon’s moveset somewhere could be appropriate (it’s comparable to the Exec which gets the Tank modifier on all lights except its push attack which gets Linesmen).
A hand crossbow would be awesome! Maybe even dual wield.
We’re also lacking a full movement speed kit like Slayer, Zealot and GK have. I imagine a Spear and Sword (too many weapons in this game are called S&S lol) wouldn’t being higher dodge range than a spear, so movement speed may be an interesting way to offset that (I don’t know a lot about Wardancers but they look like they would move around the battlefield quickly).
Yeah it’s an effort thing I think. I’d love a new wind for Sienna but for the same reason I don’t think it’s likely. Who knows though, I was certain we were going to get a Runesmith/Priest but Fatshark surprised me by going for a flashier idea.