Discussion: Final Patch of 2015

Tremble mortals, for I shall post constructively again.
Starting with non champ runes.
Go:

 

Glad to hear it. We seek enlightenment from a gamer dude far to the south.

 

The Skeezick is presenting a gift, omg!

 

Spoiler alert: It is a lump of coal.

 

Those packs with guaranteed Legendaries are quite a gift! Thanks for that

 

Spells
Bog Trap

• Nora Cost decrease (-5)
• Cooldown decrease (-1)

Good, still shoeboxed though.

Huntmaster's Charm

• Nora Cost decrease (-5)
• Cooldown decrease (-1)

I'm against buffing spells that summon champs. It's the last thing need atm.

Drown

• Nora Cost increase (+5)
• Cooldown increase (+1)

I think you might have killed Drown, there are only a handful of champs that would be worth drowning now that it costs 80 nora. Might be a x1 include tops on desperate scenarios, but people will be better off without it. Shame.

Evolve

• Nora Cost decrease (-5)
• Cooldown decrease (-1)

Humm, non permanent effects are always on the iffy side of things, but might see play on some specific bgs.

Blessing of the River

• Nora Cost decrease (-5)
• Cooldown decrease (-1)

Same as above.

Font Eruption

• Nora Cost increase (+5)
• Cooldown increase (+1)

Terrible move. FS already struggles on the AoE department, this was a kick in the nuts for the spell. Wasnt needed, because it was on par with other factions AoE. Also, preventing FE from hitting a lot of champs is good play - I absolutely hate this nerf.

Tendrils of the Deep

• Nora Cost decrease (-5)
• Cooldown decrease (-1)

Good, I always like this spell, might be runnable now.

Reckless Command

• Nora Cost decrease (-5)
• Cooldown decrease (-1)

Still boxed, I think, unless you are playing full jellebriums or something weird like that.

Forced Evolution

• Description: Target champion is fully healed and gains Aquatic permanently.

Still too expensive and I cant tell what changed.

Relics
Nora Pearls

• Nora Modifier decrease (-5)

Good, this spell seal relics are awesome.

Tortun Land Cannon

• HP increase (+5)
• Defense increase (+1)

So a relic with 30HP and 3DEF? Damn, bad idea. But at 50 nora its still shoeboxed.

Draining Azurite [Forglar Swamp, Ironfist Stronghold]

• Nora Modifier decrease (-5)

Still bad I think.

Snaptooth Crypt

• HP decrease (-5)
• Starting Abilities: Snaptooth Crypt

I dont think reducing the HP will do much because this thing is often near the ranged units, which are attacking you with Multi 3 from 5 spaces away. Problem wasnt the relic, problem is Murkwater Frenzy.

Equipment
Firk Mask

• Nora Cost increase (+5)

Good, it was kinda too cheap for what it does.

 

Yeah, basically perma multi 3 is insane, esepcially with essence capture.

Snapteeth are one of those themes that has OP runes and mechanics, but is just very undeveloped.

 

Yeah, FS really got hosed with the last two rounds of spell nerfs. We no longer have any good aoe spells, particularly in comparison to other factions, and most of our single target removal spells (PHS and drown) are borderline playable if that. It feels like a big kick in the unmentionables.

We basically have a 50 nora aoe which people was mostly run to punish people for bad positioning mistakes and something that does 8 physical damage and creates rough terrain. That is really going to make your opponent's care about bunching their dudes.

So what is FS's signature supposed to be now with spells? Bad AOEs? No spot cleanse? Bad single target spells? Defensive spells that are strictly worse than those provided by other factions? Poor or very conditional and expensive healing?

Like I may have a narrow perspective here, but it feels like the FS nerfs are much more effective at hitting at the crux of what makes the FS spell set unique and distinguished. They also seem particularly targetted at FS too, now that I have taken a look at some of the other options available. The other factions got minimal or nerfs nerfs in comparison to the steel bat that was taken to our runes.

With the buff to nora pearls was the intent to set up FS as a spell-less faction? I mean what is the basis behind all of this?

The Firk Mask and Extispicer nerfs were super fair though. The semi-aquatic changes are too complicated for me to parse now. They were too much before. They may be just right or not enough.

I guess my main questions are:
1) Is FS doing so much better or is so much stronger that it was deserved to get greater nerfs than any other faction got?
2) If not than why did it get them?
3) If so what data did you use as the basis for doing this?

 

Statue got -5 nora, other stuff happened.

 

Spells
Haunt

• Nora Cost increase (+5)
• Cooldown increase (+1)

Still think 30 nora is too cheap for this thing, this nerf wont do much.

Grim Harvest

• Nora Cost decrease (-5)
• Cooldown decrease (-1)

Humm this is a pretty cool spell, but too situational. Wont hurt at 30.

Relics
Corpse-a-Pult

• Nora Modifier increase (+5)
• HP decrease (-5)
• Defense decrease (-1)

Good, still better than TLC though.

Statue of Xulos

• Nora Modifier decrease (-5)

Who the firk put Preordained on this thing? Jeez. The price is good but having preordained isnt.

Mystic Atelier

• Nora Modifier increase (+10)

Wow, +10 nora really? Don't know, seems too situational, dont know if it was needed.

Tombdrop Marker

• HP increase (+1)
• Defense decrease (-1)

Couldnt find this on rune checklist.

Bone Mine

• Nora Modifier decrease (-5)

This is a really cool relic for skellies, definetely will see play.

Equipment
Wraith's Tear

• Nora Cost decrease (-5)

I think it's too cheap for what it does, specially the Weaken Spells aspect, hence OP.

Bone Circle Staff

• Nora Cost increase (+5)

About time.

This patch for FW looks like player (zealot) made, sorry but thats my impression. I say this because the nerfs look like taps on the wrists and the buffs are really situational, like they were made for a particular bg to excel.

 

Gotta get off work, will continue with the rest of the factions later on.

 

Omg these reskins are beautiful. Thank you DOG and happy holidays!

 

Mystic Atelier

• Nora Modifier increase (+10)
  
  
  
  Hahahaha