Ranged Weapons
Beam Staff
- Overcharge generated by shotgun blast reduced significantly (~33%)
- Weapon switching while charging the weapon is reduced from 0.2s to 0s (matching all other staves)
- Weapon switch window after a shotgun blast reduced from 0.4s to 0.3s to match the 0.31s animation time of the shotgun blast.
Modder comment: The weapon has a target limit of 10 (quite low relative to other staves) within its AOE cone, which can be quite punishing if you fight hordes dense enough to reach that target limit, overcharge was reduced with this target limit in mind.
QOL changes like instant weapon switching while charging are to help reduce the jank with the weapon, and similarly, the weapon switch after a shotgun blast is to prevent missed inputs (if you queue up a weapon switch and light attack immediately after a shotgun blast, you will hold down the left click beam before weapon switching, generate additional overcharge and blow up).
Designer comments: Quality of Life changes definitely appropriate. Shotgun blast overcharge is going to be interesting to see how it performs.
Drakefire Pistols
- Overheat of the shotgun blast reduced ~33%
- Dodge range buffed from 85% (-15%) to 100% (0%)
Modder comment: It has a similar target limit of 10, rationale for the reducing the overehat of the shotgun blast is the same.
Designer comments: Same as above.
Empire Longbow
- Forced zoom delay is now 2s instead of 0.4s (allows full charge without being forced to zoom in)
- 25% move speed while holding a full charge (increased from 0% previously, 25% is similar to the full charge move speed of bolt staff)
Modder comment: The forced zoom delay previously meant that you were forced to zoom in well before the arrow would finish a full charge, the full zoom is still there, but now you have much more time to shoot prior to being forced to zoom in. The move speed debuffs on Empire longbow did not make much sense previously, (quick shots by default have 50% move speed, partial charges have 100% move speed and full charge is 0% move speed.) These changes should make the weapon feel much smoother and less sickening for people that dislike forced zoom. Also, the slight move speed buff will allow you to re-position slightly when friendlies run in front of you while you’re charging a full charge.
Designer comments: Good quality of life change. Perhaps could be looked into as being togglable instead. Maybe Kerillian thought some of her waystalkery aiming techniques to ye 'ol huntsman. But this is a fine change for now.
Handgun
- Reload time reduced from 2.0s to 1.5s
- Max ammo = 16, up from 12
- Cleave buffed 50% to match crossbow
Modder comment: Changes were made to reload time, ammo count, and cleave to make them more competitive in elite killing and special killing relative to crossbow and repeater handgun
Designer comments: Good thing to make the Handgun a more attractive option.
Repeater Pistol
- Linesman is now on the bullet spray ( linesman on ranged weapons gives shotgun mass reduction)
Modder comment: Additionally the bullet spray has been given 50% additional penetration against Chaos Warriors on crit (now deals 75% superarmor damage relative to armor damage on crit, previously 50%)
Damage of the critical on bullet spray versus superarmor was boosted with the intention of being able to one shot chaos warriors on Bounty Hunter with max power and at least 50% of pellets hitting the head, previously you were 24% short in damage assuming max power and every pellet hitting the head. Linesman will help bullet spray cleave more like a shotgun, the pellets will have triple the cleave of a shotgun pellet, and deal more damage overall per pellet, making it a more impactful niche weapon. Changes keep it a very niche weapon for Bounty Hunter, intention was to avoid buffing it into a situation where it becomes too similar to Brace of Pistols.
Designer comments: Buffing the bullet spray is a good call since it’s the identifying characteristic of the weapon.
Swiftbow
- Increased armor damage by approximately 100% on charged shots
- Increased monster damage by 30% on charged shots
- Increased cleave by 100% for quick shots and 100% for charged shots
Modder comment: Its specialized niche is killing hordes, the cleave was buffed to reflect that, and the improvements to monster damage and armour damage on the charged shots were mostly to help it kill specials in a reasonable manner.
Designer comments: This huge for the Swiftbow. It’s very much been overshadowed by the Longbow and Hagbane bow for quite some time now so it needed the tweak. This should push it over the edge and make it quite competitive.
Throwing Axes
- Increased monster and berserker damage by 30%
Modder comment: Reload speed on these can be pretty crippling, made them more rewarding by buffing a few of their weak areas, the monster and berserker damage in particular are lacking.
Designer comments: Appropriate, especially since the Throwing Axes is a popular pick for the Slayer.
Volley Crossbow (Saltzpyre)
- Ammo pool boosted by 50% (from 30 max ammo to 45)
- Cleave increased by 150% to match crossbow
- Reload time reduced from 5s to 4s
- Dodge count increased to 3 from 1
Modder comment: Volley Xbow is now a valid horde clear ranged weapon, primarly on BH, but it can be made to work on the other careers. The increased cleave allows it to actually cleave hordes, the reduction in reload time and dodge count makes it less punishing to reload during hordes, and the ammo pool was boosted so that you have the ammo to actually use it for horde clear and have the ammo to be able to shoot at specials.
Designer comments: Giving the weapon equal cleave to crossbow might push it over the edge where it becomes exceedingly efficent at clearing out hordes and chaff at range. Needs to be monitored. Reload speed, ammo and dodge count is all appropriate changes.
Volley Crossbow (Shade)
- Cleave increased by 150% to match crossbow
Modder comment: Damage profile was shared with Volley Crossbow on Saltzpyre, needed a buff anyway.
Designer comments: Same as above, Shade crossbow being in abit more dire straits than Saltzpyres from a pickrate perspective.