Since Bungo recently said in the TWAB that they were looking at spectral blades , here's my two cents on the subclass .
To me , a good subclass is one which has synergy , it's a subclass in which each ability has its use and in which all elements play off of each others , creating some sort of rhythm or "choreography" in the way you use them .
Way of the wraith plays quite differently in pvp and in pve . Here are the problems with it currently :
[b]In PVP [/b], [spoiler]the only reason people use it is for its super . Indeed , spectral blades is too strong . When a way of the wraith hunter is out of spectral blades though , he's basically a regular hunter with a grenade and smoke which he'll probably never use and a passive which he'll DEFINITELY never use . And yet , flawless execution makes up half of the subclass' perks . In theory , it's actually pretty good , but in practice , you NEVER think about crouching in pvp . Even when you go into a match thinking "I should try and use that flawless execution mechanic" , you actually don't . I'd say most people who use way of the wraith in pvp don't even take into account the flawless execution mechanic . That's quite a waste . On top of that , the smoke bomb isn't all that good on its own . Sure it can help in some situations and create interesting combos (wombo combo) but it doesn't really hold its own compared to basically every other melee ability in the game .[/spoiler]
[b]In PVE[/b][spoiler] it actually fares better , but still isn't optimal . PVE being more laid back , you tend to use flawless execution a lot more . I love doing missions solo with my bow and just trying to be invisible the entire time . However , in endgame pve activities , wraiths don't really bring much to the table . All they have really is a sub-par melting point (because of the requirements for its activation) and lack the crowd-control and orb generation of regular nightstalkers as well as the damage output of a celestial nighthawk .[/spoiler]
[b][u]My suggestions :[/u][/b]
[b]- Reduce the duration of spectral blades[/b] as well as the "blast radius" of some attacks (because some times you kill people when you clearly didn't connect with them) . It's going to be hard to strike the appropriate balance between shortstopping/baby blade and killing targets you didn't hit , but I think it's necessary .
[b]- Get rid of the damage resistance[/b] when invisible during spectral blades . You're already harder to see/hit , so being even more resistant is over the top .
[b]- Triggering flawless execution should not require crouching[/b] . Just a headshot . That'd help make it a lot more present but more importantly it would make it a relevant part of the wraith playstyle . (maybe it'd bother some people to go invis everytime they headshot something ? dunno)
[b]- Getting rid of the extended melee range[/b] with flawless execution because , since it'd be procing a lot more often , it'd be a bit broken
[b]- Getting rid of the poisonous smoke[/b] effect on the smoke bomb and ...
[b]- Moving the shattering strike (melting point) effect from flawless execution to the smoke bomb [/b]. That would make it a viable alternative to melting point in pvp by being a ranged version of melting point (which is also based on melee cooldown) . In that way , the smoke bomb will deal the same damage as before thanks to the weakening effect , but it'd also make smoke bombs a more viable strategic tool in pve AND pvp . Perhaps the weakening effect shouldn't be as strong in pvp as it is in pve .
In my opinion those changes would shift way of the wraiths focus and selling point from its super to a more interesting , strategic neutral game with good synergy between the perks . You'd be using your smoke at the beginning of engagements to set up "traps" which would give you an easier time finishing off targets (since they'd be slowed and weakened) , giving you more time to get those headshots , which would then turn you invisible and allow you to start hunting for your next target etc. To me , that is the crux of what hunter gameplay should be like : not huge firepower or regenerative abilities , but being agile and sneaky with a good neutral game . With those changes , people would be less reliant on an op super and more focused on using that neutral game effectively .
Add to that gambler's dodge and something like ophidia spathe to have a more smoke-centric playstyle . Heck , it would even work as an indirect buff to graviton forfeit since you'd be spending more time invisible and have more use for your smoke bomb .
Feel free to comment if you have any suggestion on how to tweak this .
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Flawless execution on headshot kills? Do you realize how strong this would be? No way is that going to happen. Honestly, all they need to do is reduce its amror and duration of spectral blades. That's it. Make it usable and hopefully they don't nerf it too hard like nova warp.
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Or we could just kill it