Hi everyone, I’d like to discuss a specific Psyker technique and hear your thoughts on whether it should be addressed by the devs.
As many of you know, Psyker staves used to have a “delay cancel” via the R key (venting) while standing still, but that was patched out last year. However, a similar delay cancel using Sprint still works.
How it works:
While holding W (Forward), press Left Click (Light Attack) and immediately follow up with Shift (Sprint) to cancel the recovery animation. Repeating this allows for a much faster fire rate than normal.
As shown in the video, this method produces significantly higher DPS than just spamming charged shots or standard light attacks.
In actual gameplay (as seen in my Havoc 40 footage below), you can use the light attack’s high stagger to completely lock down Elites while melting their health bars.
In the Korean community, this is often paired with the ‘Empyric Shock’ talent to maximize damage output.
Interestingly, while this tech is highly recommended in Korean communities, I haven’t seen it mentioned much on NA/EU servers or by major Darktide YouTubers. It seems relatively unknown globally.
My Question:
Do you think this should be classified as an exploit/bug and patched out (like the R-cancel), or should it be embraced as a legitimate “movement-based technique”?
What is your take on the Psyker’s Sprint-Cancel Tech?
It requires precise timing and movement. Keep it as a skill expression.
It bypasses intended fire rate limits. It should be patched like R-canceling was.
I mean is that not as easily macroable as R cancelling (you hold W while a script spams shift and left click alternating rapidly)? If so seems like the “skill expression” argument is kinda redundant? Dunno haven’t voted personally seeing as this is the first I’ve heard of this tech.
You have a point about macros. That’s definitely the biggest issue here. While this tech is a bit more restrictive than R-canceling—since it requires forward momentum and enough space to move—it’s still arguably easy to script.
Was completely unaware of this tech. I was able to pick it up in less than 5 minutes in the psykhanium. It doesn’t appear to be usable on staves other than the inferno? At least it seems like the window for it work and not cancel your shot is much narrower. Anyway, it does seem like the type of thing that should be patched but I also don’t feel like it is gamebreaking either (2 games of Auric HiSTG experience).
“skill expressions” would be freely customisable weapon combos instead of the few light/heavy repeats we got now and based on the experience, creativity of the player and even enemies at hand give a unique, player made playstyle.
skipping something at the press of a button is a circumvention, not “skill"
as much as I “circumvent” the local speed limit when I know no traffic control is in place
I understand. It definitely leans toward an exploit since it bypasses the intended fire rate.
However, I personally felt there was some ‘skill’ involved because pulling this off consistently in the middle of a chaotic horde—while managing peril and positioning—actually takes a fair bit of practice. It’s not as brainless as it looks in a vacuum.
But seeing the reactions here, it seems the consensus is that if a tech is easily macroable and circumvents core mechanics, it shouldn’t be considered a legitimate skill. Thanks for the honest feedback!
that’s the thing, “knowledge” to bypass a mechanic is a “slick move” and shows understanding of the games mechanics, yet at the same time warps it out of the capacities of those not knowing about the mechanic.
if it was a game intended thing few would have problems combo-ing the pattern in a short succession.
yes it’s a mechanical skill, albeit a minute one.
main issue I got with it is being outside of intended game mechanics and thus as “legit” as a speedrun with clipping through walls.
if the melee combat was to be expanded onto like say (been a few years) black desert online had, at least what I remember from you could string different combos into a fluid attack pattern,
then one could be inspired from the combo-artists that are the bane of many beat em ups
besides, current game “balance” id like to dial it back quite a bit and have it solely revolve around physical skill rather than any type of talent/perk or blessing.
I didn’t notice that much difference from how other skilled Psykers play in Havoc 40 (the run lasted 10-15 min less than average H40 run, but the team pushed hard to complete the map, it’s not just Psyker destroying everything), I don’t think this tech makes such a big difference. I personally don’t use it when I play Psyker, but Psyker is my least played Havoc character since it’s a very contested role and I’m personally not that good at them (in Havoc specifically).
I think it’s fine for this tech to stay as long as it’s not achieved by a single press of a button by using macros. Every competitive or skill-intensive game has hidden techs and weapon interactions like that.
That’s true. You don’t necessarily need this tech to clear Havoc 40.
For me, the real value isn’t just the raw DPS, but the ability to chain high-stagger light attacks to freeze enemies in place. It’s particularly effective for zone control when you’re being pushed by Maulers or Ragers and need to shut down their movement while taking them out.
You can achieve the same stagger against Ragers and common enemies with normal m1 spam that has gaps inbetween attacks, also it doesn’t work against Final Toll enemies.
The question is, does it stunlock Crushers and Bulwarks consistently?
Man I totally agree but how do you realistically prevent that without just killing the tech entirely? Genuine question I have no idea how that would be achievable.
Tech my ass, the one NA psyker I’ve seen using it has had it macrod, and unless you make it physically impossible to do so, people will macro it rather than doing it manual. Path of least resistance.
Gut it like how they did R cancel lclick spam. The only skill expression here is how well you can set up your macro.
I don’t know. But in my opinion there are worse exploits in the game.
Warren 19 in the mid event has 2 spots which you can climb and it prevents enemies from spawning on the arena. etc I don’t use it, but I’ve seen people abuse them.
This tech to me is slightly worse than killing enemies behind spawn doors before they exit them, which I admittedly do all the time in Havoc.
(been a few years) black desert online had, at least what I remember from you could string different combos into a fluid attack pattern,
