Sliding in here as someone who played back at launch. Ravage was just something unique to the class that made it kinda stand out. And yeah, it did look awesome (especially when you used it on minions and they animated getting attacked by it lol) As for function though? I'd love the channeled/root option having it back so long as they maybe turn it into just a Jugg Nuke CD. Maybe something similar in use to PT's Shoulder Cannon, except tuned to be more of an execute, maybe? Make it cost 10 Rage, and only a PvP viable move for all I care lol. Another part I liked about it back that is that you had that thrill of interrupting it with CC, or saving your friend from getting diced with a good force push. I dunno I just felt like it added that little bit of seasoning that a tab-targetted MMO needs for that flavor.

I'm not really a fan of all the extra fluff my characters get. All these situational powers really put a burden on me sometimes. Maybe when they make a sequel to this game we have can a more action-oriented combat with a more expansive ability system that allows for more indepth creation of your character from various Force abilities/Tech and a more intuitive, maybe even context sensitive combat system that prevents my screen from being overloaded with abilities, buffs, steroids, consumables, and other things that I feel the need to HAVE to have on my bar because I might use them.

An idea occured to me suddenly when I was outside last night having a smoke before sleep. What if, instead of just adding all this animation customization nonsense, you guys do something a bit more clever? Your ability has a default animation. Just gonna use Shadow Strike as an example. Stab. Going down the Infiltration Tree you get an ability that procs and makes your Shadow Strike do 30% more damage, and cost 75% less force. When you use it while this proc activates, maybe the ability is instead a leaping/spinning attack that crashes the lightsaber down onto the ground (Something you'd do if you were using a real staff) Going down the Kinetic Combat tree you get a proc that allows you to use Shadow Strike while facing the enemy. When you use it with this proc activated Shadow Strike does a Reverse Stabbing motion (Think Master Strike's second tick of damage) I actually REALLY like this idea. For a few reasons. 1) Based on animations alone you can tell what kind of spec you're facing. 2) Because this game is pretty proc heavy it allows for a wider breadth of animations, even for the abilities you're going to be using a LOT. So it doesn't always get so dull. 3) It gives a visual indicator of your character's growth. A level 55 Shadow would be more comfortable with his weapon, and not attack so stiffly like a free level 10 Shadow would. What you guys think?

I don't think it would detract at all from the class system. I think it's kind of silly that you thought that. Clearly the guy is just asking for a way to make it so that you have a different animation set for your movelist. I'm about as all for this as I possibly can be. Because, lets be honest. Some of the animations just seem lazy. And there's only so many times I can stand seeing Double Strike, Shadow Strike and Clairvoyent Strike without wishing that maybe I had something that looked.... well, for lack of a different term, BETTER. Help me customize my character a little better, or make it seem like he's actually an expert with his weapon now, instead of swinging it around like some Padawan who just picked it up and doesn't even know how to Darth Maul. It's honestly a shame how more excited I am watching the Cinematics than I am PvPing against the enemy.

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks that the Animation Team could do so much better.

I'm totally down for a more Warrior typed Saberstaff user. I want to be in there, doing a lot of stuff and feeling like I'm fighting with an actual Saberstaff. Spinning and kicking, and doing awesome mid-air attacks and the like. And maybe even having my own version of Ravage/Master Strike to show off some slick moves (hopefully has it's own animations, instead of just being Master Strike... BUT WITH A SABERSTAFF!). It would feel really good to make full use of having a Saberstaff instead of feeling like I'm only going to see about 3-4 attack animations that actually involve this kick *** weapon in my hand, which might as well just be a Single Lightsaber. It feels like they felt required to give the Saberstaff to someone, and when they did, they weren't really sure how to go about utilizing it as a part of that class, and instead just stuck it in with some force powers. The Warrior/Knight feel way more fleshed out, even between their specializations. Shadow/Assassin just feel like an aborted fetus of their Sage/Sorcerer counterparts. STILL A GOOD AND FUN TO PLAY CLASS! Not saying it's not. Just doesn't feel as holistic as the others.

I don't know how often this might've been pointed out, but being a Shadow or an Assassin, I feel really REALLY stupid with my Saberstaff. All the attack animations for pretty much every attack on both the Republic and the Empire side using this weapon could easily be done with a single-bladed lightsaber. And it's really sad, to be honest. Let me hit each one. Thrash/Double Strike Current Animation: Swing up to hit with the back blade, and back down to hit the front of the blade. Thoughts: This is actually fine, since it's a skill you get pretty much immediately, and I don't expect anything fancy from it. Something simple. Works fine. Maul/Shadow Strike Current Animation: A simple pull back and thrust. Same animation as Retaliate, a single-saber attack. Thoughts: For something that does big damage, I kind of expected a big attack. Or something unique to using the Saberstaff. However, this looks silly. I get it, you wanted it to be a "backstab" but you could've added at least a little flourish to it. Voltaic Slash/Clairvoyent Strike Current Animation: Your character throws his lightsaber infront of him like a Yo-Yo, making it spin. It only hits twice. Thoughts: This is depressing to watch. It screams either "I'm totally lazy" or "I have no idea what to do with this skill". It's a mini-saber throw, and for something you're supposed to use often, just looks retarded, especially when your character is on the move. You have a 1 second GCD to work with. Use something with a bit more flair, that screams THIS HURTS! Maybe some mid-air movements too, since the character has to be able to look like they can do this on the move. But the Lightsaber Yo-Yo trick has to go. Spike/ Spinning Kick Current Animation: For Sith, you Force Lift them up and impale them with a lightning charged lightsaber. For Jedi, you do a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick. Thoughts: This actually shows me you CAN make abilities look cool, and different between the two themes of Passive and Power. You did a great job on these. Assassinate/Spinning Strike Current Animation: A flourish above the head that leads to a powerful slash. Execution. Thoughts: Once again, well done. This looks more like it should be basic, but I can dig it. It LOOKS like something a Saberstaff user would do, specific, and unique to that style of fighting. I wish they had a theme difference between the two classes, but still looks good. Another win! Low Slash Current Animation: Just a simple swing that looks like it's meant to disarm/disable the opponent. Thoughts: I would go with a more sweeping animation, but for this, I guess I can just let it pass. Lacerate/Whirling Blow Current Animation: A spinning flourish that leads to a swing to the left of the body. Thoughts: Really shows you guys can do it if you want. It's grounded, meant for some AoE damage dealing, and doesn't look half bad while you're moving around. It looks like it hits more than it does (which I think you should just spread the damage out between 2-3 hits), but it's fun to watch. Not bad at all. So, we have a few goods, a few mehs, and a few WHY DID YOU DO THIS!? I know the people at BioWare are talented folk, especially your animation department. I know this because I've played your other games. So come on, give us something with a little more flair. Make us feel like we're wielding a Saberstaff and not just some glorified Stick. Take some notes from a martial arts movie or something that involves Shaolin Monks. Or look at Satele Shan in your opening cinematic. I see her and I want to be like that. But I play a Shadow and I feel like a doofus. PS: An equivalent to the Warrior's Ravage would not go amiss for the Assassin/Shadow. Jus'sayin.

255 Views, 7 posts, and no real feedback. Le sigh.

Working title. I just thought up of something that could be used between both classes. But if you have any ideas, please, feel free to share them.

Not sure if that would be nice, or sad. I've seen that animation and it's not impressive. If I remember correctly it looks like a guy shuffling around in place as if he's stuck in the ground with a pole in his butt and spinning his weapon around like a crazy person. Not exactly something that I would believe someone who wields a lightssaber would do.

I'm not sure if this was suggested or not, but I feel like the Assassin could use some channeled ability that isn't Force Lightning. From tanking and the Madness Tree being more AoE oriented, I thought it would be cool to give the Assassin a little something of their own. The reason being is that there's quite the stark contrast between a Sorcerer/Sage and an Assassin/Shadow. This is really just personal preference, but tell me what you guys and gals think of a little something that showcases this class's abilities with the SaberStaff a bit more. Ability Name: Juyo Dance (Working Title) Description: Enters an acrobatic frenzy, slashing and kicking wildly around an area for 4 seconds, dealing 2548-2637 damage over 5 hits. This ability cannot be interrupted. CD: 30seconds Idea: The idea behind the inclusion of this skill was to give the Assassin/Shadow a bit of flavor for themselves, and small compliment to the Warrior/Knight's Ravage/Master Strike ability, while giving their own twist on it. I also took into account that Powertechs have access to both Flamethrower and Death from Above. The Pros! - An additional AoE damage ability for Assassins to use to help keep up pressure, and possibly aggro. - It will certainly give the feel that your character is using the uniqueness of a double-bladed lightsaber to the fullest extent. - Gives the assassin something to do some damage while helping to get their force back. The Cons! - Another ability always skews things a bit, and makes me wonder if there's room for it in the kit, or if the Assassin would have to lose one of their Inquisitor abilities for. - Perhaps AoE is too much and it should just be single-target? The Other! - Would certainly be better than Voltaic Slash and it's stupid animation (Pet peeve). - Darth Maul I'm still wrecking my brain and going over the 3 talent trees to think up any talents that might go with this ability to help flesh the idea out. Any and all feedback is welcome. :3 If you like it, tell me why. If you hate it, tell me why.

The OP acts like Age of Conan was in a good state during it's launch with over half the content not even available, much less working properly. Some people need to think back...

Yeah, I can't wait till people start rolling a Marauder/Sentinel and having to deal with that cluster**** of ability bloat. It's gonna be fun stomping other two sabers for a change. :] With my new and improved Carnage Spec.

Yeah, because every other MMO released nowadays is totally balanced and fair to all classes. You may not know this, but a lot of MMOs coming out have a lot of problems they need to fix because MMOs are the Raid Boss of Game Design. Expect changes, and expect a lot of **** to roll downhill right ontop of your head. But guess what, that's why there's 7 other classes to choose from. And if you ONLY want to play that ONE class, well that's your personal preference, but the fact that you have options you refuse to utilize tells me you just want everything to yourself. You people are eventually going to have to re-learn the fact that even WoW had a some pretty horrendous balance issues when it came out, and sometimes still do. This game isn't even HALF A YEAR OLD. *********** MMO gamers nowadays are so spoiled and aren't willing to put the time and dedication into a game that they have the option to do so. It's why eveyone moves back to WoW, or w/e game they used to play, or start talking about how great other games look (Although I have to agree, while playing the Beta Tests I was very impressed with TERA). Stop expecting everything to be done and fixed with the snap of your fingers. Class is broken? Either try to make up for it with personal skill, optimization, teamwork or whatever, or try a different class. The people who tough it out are going to be the most rewarded. And on a final note, if you're playing this game, and not having fun, just leave. Seriously. There's no reason for "End of Days" posts like this to appear on the forums.

Wait.. are you guys complaining that you, as a Tank based class, won't be able to DPS as well as a Pure DPS Class? If so... my god.