I really appreciate the team posting an explanation of the upcoming balance changes. Im really looking forward to trying everything!
Some initial thoughts:
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Im disappointed the team is not leaning into the uniqueness of the special attacks the combat shot guns offer. While it would be a challenge to balance the flavor they offer is something that should be flexed and promoted. I would suggest adding a secondary ammo pool in the tube such that the special action is just a switch between the two different ammo types.
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Im really looking forward to trying the helbores. I have grown to really love them over the last couple months. They offer a really unique playstyle in darktide. Im unsure that these changes will impact the more critical issues the weapon has that i detailed here specifically the lack of cleave, poor strength blessing options and cumbersome charge times which is ultimately what slows down the weapon the most. The buff to the melee is perfect, buffing that means you dont need to swap out of it to keep the power fantasy of using the weapon alive.
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Ultimately I would way rather see the updates to most of these weapons be to change the special attack mechanic from a switch on for a single attack to more of a charge/ meter mechanic like the relic sword and force greatsword. Where ever the team can add a meter they should, be it an ammo pool, a duration of the chain going off or some amount of attacks before activating it again. The flavor the special attacks add have been so fun to learn and play around with, they really ought to be where each weapons uniqueness comes from if appropriate.