Mercenary/Commando need some Buffs badly

[SentinalMasterWW]

Look, Commando is my main spec for this game, I love the playstyle and know it in and out, however in the current 7.0 meta both commando and its mirror mercenary are basically bottom of the tier in both PVP and PVE. Arsenal/Gunnery especially is the lowest parsing spec in the game, it really is only beating out Marksman/Sharpshooter (which also needs some buffing). Its been so long since these specs actually got some QUALITY buffs, the only thing we get here and there is a minor buff. While 7.3 is buffing stealth scan (Which by the way is still not worth it, as the radius for stealth scan is so small and can be avoided entirely.) 

Can we get an actual buff to this spec instead of this tiny buff here and there? This class has been struggling for a long time now and needs some attention. 

General Buffs 

- There should be a mod in the CS tree, to have CC/Stun immunity. This would mainly be a PVP talent, One of the frustrating parts about playing these specs in PVP is that you get Stunned alot, Given the engagement distance of Commandos, they are often almost a few feet away from melee specs which allows them to get CC'd alot. My general idea is that this passive mod would make Energy shield (Which lasts 12 Secs or so) provide CC Immunity. This spec gets focused alot in PVP, and with the current CC Meta spam, this spec needs some CC immunity. 

- We need better mobility, the amount of roots currently in PVP is ridiculous, Hold the line would be great but it has such a long cooldown, lasts only 6 secs, and only give a 30% compared to the 70% that is VG's/PT's. If Commando's/Mercs could gets PT's/VG's hold the line, mobility becomes massively improved. Propulsion Cannon would be nice if it was added back as a mainline, but because of 7.0s pruning design philosophy that's probably not going to happen. 

-Change Electro net to NOT be cleansable, Net is basically the only really solid thing these specs have and having it be cleansed really defeats Nets gimmick as a hinder to stop melee/Ranged specs, but especially melee specs. 

-If Bioware wants people to use Stealth probes more, Increase the radius, at least to that of Snipers/Slingers suppressing fire radius, Stealth probes radius is so small that most specs can cheese it and avoid it entirely. 

-This one is not Required but it would be nice to add it, Bioware should add back the Apex Predator set as a legendary Implant, Concentrated fire is nice but its more so meant for AS/IO. Apex was the ideal set for Arsenal/Gunnery via buffing Grav round. Just adding in this implant alone massively improves the performance of those two specs.

Arsenal/Gunnery 

-Increase the Crit DMG the Customized round mod for Demolition Round/Heatseeker missiles from 10% to 20%. 

-Increase the DMG Done by Boltstorm by 5-10% 

-Increase Vortex Bolt DMG by 5% 

-Increase the DMG done by Grav round/Tracer missile by 5-10%. 

-Buff the Primed Ignition tactical, make it so the Burning DOT is refreshed via Grav round, Boltstorm, and Demo round. 

-Change the mod that makes Vortex Bolt do more Damage, Be it increasing the Crit DMG done by grav round and applying trauma (something akin to the sniper/slinger specs), My personal one which is making Grav round a DOT for sustained DMG, or something else entirely. Gunnery/Arsenal has some really meh choices in their tree.

Innovative Ordinance/Assault Specialist 

-Give Passive Energy Regen from Inc. Round and Serrated bolt, This spec has major energy issues. 

-Increase the DMG done by Mag bolt by 5-10% 

-Increase the DMG done by Thermal Detonator/Assault Plastique by 5-10%. 

 

Just doing DMG increases across the board for these specs is a massive improvement by itself, These specs have been neglected for so long, Especially Arsenal/Gunnery which is unfortunate as it is I and a lot of other players favorite spec.

 

[sithBracer]

On 5/31/2023 at 12:42 AM, SentinalMasterWW said:

Look, Commando is my main spec for this game, I love the playstyle and know it in and out,

 

On 5/31/2023 at 12:42 AM, SentinalMasterWW said:

-Change Electro net to NOT be cleansable, Net is basically the only really solid thing these specs have and having it be cleansed really defeats Nets gimmick as a hinder to stop melee/Ranged specs, but especially melee specs. 

*sighs*

[FildaG]

Thanks, like that was helpful! 

[Lord_Malganus]

They even at least tried to fix Carnage Marauder yet Commando has been ignored.

[Ahwassa]

Go into pvp with a good merc (or multiple because they are very popular there) and you´ll see why they won´t get a buff.

If the lose one big defensive and gain dps as compensation then yes, they could get a buff.

Edited August 29, 2023 by Ahwassa

[LD_Little_Dragon]

PvP is a very small part of the game now, and currenlty for pve mercs are very disadvantaged.

[ZUHFB]

On 8/29/2023 at 9:56 PM, Ahwassa said:

Go into pvp with a good merc (or multiple because they are very popular there) and you´ll see why they won´t get a buff.

If the lose one big defensive and gain dps as compensation then yes, they could get a buff.

it only got nerfed pvp wise since 4.X

maybe running rapid scan tactical can be considered a buff in some way, but it doesn't exist anymore

[meddani]

On 9/1/2023 at 7:07 AM, ZUHFB said:

it only got nerfed pvp wise since 4.X

maybe running rapid scan tactical can be considered a buff in some way, but it doesn't exist anymore

did you even play through 5.X? merc was the most broken sh!t biofail developed since forever lol

[meddani]

also this f***ng electro net garbage needs a nerf like bloodthirst or the cybertech grenades, should have been done since the introduction of this rubbish skill

[ZUHFB]

4 hours ago, meddani said:

also this f***ng electro net garbage needs a nerf like bloodthirst or the cybertech grenades, should have been done since the introduction of this rubbish skill

sounds like somebody broke a root

[meddani]

10 hours ago, ZUHFB said:

sounds like somebody broke a root

sounds like you speak from experience .

you're probably one of those guys that use thundering blast without affliction or hardstun immediately after getting jump from a jugg lol

[ZUHFB]

4 hours ago, meddani said:

or hardstun immediately after getting jump from a jugg lol

weird how specific you where in mentioning lightning but now you just generalize jugs, you could've said "from a veng jugg", makes me wonder 

[meddani]

15 minutes ago, ZUHFB said:

weird how specific you where in mentioning lightning but now you just generalize jugs, you could've said "from a veng jugg", makes me wonder 

because i've seen those two examples countless times ,also the leap immunity is available for all 3 combat styles and it's a must have in pvp...makes me wonder if you even play pvp at all lol

[SentinalMasterWW]

Surprised this Old Post is getting Comments. 

My opinions on buffs for Commando/Mercenary have changed since this post. 

IO/AS is kind of fine where they are at. 

Gunnery/Arsenal is the only spec I think for Mercs/Mandos that need an actual buff. 

I also see there is a misconeption that Mercs/Mandos are broken OP in PVP

As someone who mains Merc/Mando I disagree heavily. 

Their strong when played right but far from OP. 

Their DMG is decent, its only their Defensives people complain about because they don't know how they work, Here is rundown on how to cheese Commando/Merc Defesnives. 

-Echoing Detterence, the glowy green/orange shield, You just don't hit into it, its that simple. They only heal and reflect DMG back at you if you tunnel into it. I've been healed to max because players tunnel straight into it. 

-Chaff Flair/Diversion absorbs two force/Tech attacks & increases their Chance to avoid attacks, use Filler Tech/Force abilites, you can also kind of just tunnel through it. 

-Energy shield, Most will run Trauma Stabilizers, if they are above 60% health when they pop it, chances are they are going to heal back up, if its below you can tunnel through trauma stabilizers. Mercs/Commandos also have a passive reducing the cooldown of energy shield every time they are attacked, So if you are engaged in a prolong fight with a merc, chances are they are going to get Energy shield back. 

-Adrenaline Rush, Straight up healing, if they are not taking Forced march, and are opting into the 60% heal on Rush, you kind of have to deal with it. If they are really low health and they pop it, if you have the DPS you can burst right through it. 

-Medpac, Its medpac everyone has it. 

Honestly CC's and slows will kill merc/mando most opt into ED so they don't have rocket out for the mobility. DOT's can also melt Commandos since DOT's ignore armor. 

Net being OP? I bring up Death brand and its slow. Keep in mind, Net has a min 1.25 cooldown. DB has a 13 sec cooldown. There are a ton of slows more obnoxious than Net.

[sithBracer]

6 hours ago, SentinalMasterWW said:

Surprised this Old Post is getting Comments. 

My opinions on buffs for Commando/Mercenary have changed since this post. 

IO/AS is kind of fine where they are at. 

Gunnery/Arsenal is the only spec I think for Mercs/Mandos that need an actual buff. 

I also see there is a misconeption that Mercs/Mandos are broken OP in PVP

As someone who mains Merc/Mando I disagree heavily. 

Their strong when played right but far from OP. 

Their DMG is decent, its only their Defensives people complain about because they don't know how they work, Here is rundown on how to cheese Commando/Merc Defesnives. 

-Echoing Detterence, the glowy green/orange shield, You just don't hit into it, its that simple. They only heal and reflect DMG back at you if you tunnel into it. I've been healed to max because players tunnel straight into it. 

-Chaff Flair/Diversion absorbs two force/Tech attacks & increases their Chance to avoid attacks, use Filler Tech/Force abilites, you can also kind of just tunnel through it. 

-Energy shield, Most will run Trauma Stabilizers, if they are above 60% health when they pop it, chances are they are going to heal back up, if its below you can tunnel through trauma stabilizers. Mercs/Commandos also have a passive reducing the cooldown of energy shield every time they are attacked, So if you are engaged in a prolong fight with a merc, chances are they are going to get Energy shield back. 

-Adrenaline Rush, Straight up healing, if they are not taking Forced march, and are opting into the 60% heal on Rush, you kind of have to deal with it. If they are really low health and they pop it, if you have the DPS you can burst right through it. 

-Medpac, Its medpac everyone has it. 

Honestly CC's and slows will kill merc/mando most opt into ED so they don't have rocket out for the mobility. DOT's can also melt Commandos since DOT's ignore armor. 

Net being OP? I bring up Death brand and its slow. Keep in mind, Net has a min 1.25 cooldown. DB has a 13 sec cooldown. There are a ton of slows more obnoxious than Net.

Oh wow, is that all? So all we have to do is burst through 9 lives? psshhhh why didn't you say so? Anyone can do that.

I mean clearly mercs are fine and low slash needs a super nerf because it .... mezzes.

You always do a good job making me laugh at what a joke pvp has become.

[Anishor]

They want the old days of 1.2 tracer spam + 6.0 Defenses =D

[Beyrahl]

Auto critical on rail shot should have never happened, needs to go back to heatseeker. The only way it'll maintain better damage spread and have consistent bursts. The current issue is that it's sustain is on a white damage ability and a tactical designed to simply amplify said ability, annihilation suffers from the same issues with spiteful and slash. However, much worse than the arsenals issue as it accounts for nearly 50%+ of its overall damage spread. 

Edited September 5, 2023 by Beyrahl

[sithBracer]

28 minutes ago, Beyrahl said:

Auto critical on rail shot should have never happened, needs to go back to heatseeker. The only way it'll maintain better damage spread and have consistent bursts. The current issue is that it's sustain is on a white damage ability and a tactical designed to simply amplify said ability, annihilation suffers from the same issues with spiteful and slash. However, much worse than the arsenals issue as it accounts for nearly 50%+ of its overall damage spread. 

Deception assassin says hi ... oops he missed his one and only burst attack on opener ... nvm he can't even do that anymore.

[Beyrahl]

47 minutes ago, sithBracer said:

Deception assassin says hi ... oops he missed his one and only burst attack on opener ... nvm he can't even do that anymore.

This is merc/mando subforum. 
Anyway, deception has more auto-critical, critical rate, damage profile, and damage spread. It's defensive power is it's issue. 
Shadowcraft should either be changed or baked into the kit like death knell used to be with recklessness use. 

[sithBracer]

9 minutes ago, Beyrahl said:

This is merc/mando subforum. 
Anyway, deception has more auto-critical, critical rate, damage profile, and damage spread. It's defensive power is it's issue. 
Shadowcraft should either be changed or baked into the kit like death knell used to be with recklessness use. 

I was talking about the white damage part and how much of a killer it is to miss even one auto-crit, but sure.

[SentinalMasterWW]

Mercs/Commandos are not OP, 

They have a wide Arrange of Defensives, but again if you actually know how they work, you can negate them. 

Their Defensives are basically the only thing they have in PVP

Their DMG isnt that great right now, IO/AS does ok, but Gunnery/Arsenal is still kind of a burst-less burst spec.

Mercs/Commandos are also the class that gets CC'd the most IMO from my time playing. 

[Lord_Malganus]

They handpicked the Meta classes they wanted.

Commando is in no way a Meta class.

[Ahwassa]

 

20 hours ago, SentinalMasterWW said:

-Echoing Detterence, the glowy green/orange shield, You just don't hit into it, its that simple. They only heal and reflect DMG back at you if you tunnel into it. I've been healed to max because players tunnel straight into it. 

-Chaff Flair/Diversion absorbs two force/Tech attacks & increases their Chance to avoid attacks, use Filler Tech/Force abilites, you can also kind of just tunnel through it. 

-Energy shield, Most will run Trauma Stabilizers, if they are above 60% health when they pop it, chances are they are going to heal back up, if its below you can tunnel through trauma stabilizers. Mercs/Commandos also have a passive reducing the cooldown of energy shield every time they are attacked, So if you are engaged in a prolong fight with a merc, chances are they are going to get Energy shield back. 

-Adrenaline Rush, Straight up healing, if they are not taking Forced march, and are opting into the 60% heal on Rush, you kind of have to deal with it. If they are really low health and they pop it, if you have the DPS you can burst right through it. 

You forgot they are ranged - thats a good def against melees XD

Anyway merc has defs and the pt for exmple has damage.

Sry but you can´t have both.

 

PS: echoing detterence: it´s orange glow is easy to miss if they are standing in effects or a pack of players - it´s a huge def - don´t downplay it.

Edited September 6, 2023 by Ahwassa

[SentinalMasterWW]

2 hours ago, Ahwassa said:

 

You forgot they are ranged - thats a good def against melees XD

Anyway merc has defs and the pt for exmple has damage.

Sry but you can´t have both.

 

PS: echoing detterence: it´s orange glow is easy to miss if they are standing in effects or a pack of players - it´s a huge def - don´t downplay it.

Yet again I bring up Sorc, It has defensives, Mobility, and DMG, they have everything, 

I don't want Merc/Commando to be a meta spec, We don't need another in the game. 

We don't need Merc having PT levels of burst. 

IO/AS again are fine where they are at. 

Gunnery/Arsenal is the spec players want buffed, The Dev's kind of did this but, they seem to buff Vortex Bolt & rail shot. Gunnery/Arsenal does a lot of white DMG right now which gets absorbed. White DMG is kind of finnicky right now, Especially on something like Marksman, you can line up a 94K crit hit with ambush, and see ABSORBED because its white DMG.

I'm in favor of what Beyrahl has suggested and making Demo Round/HS Missiles the big heavy crit ability for the spec. 

As for being ranged against melee, The spec can be leapt to, Pulled, CC'd, pushed, etc. It gets controlled a lot more than people think. 

[krackcommando]

On 5/31/2023 at 12:42 AM, SentinalMasterWW said:

While 7.3 is buffing stealth scan (Which by the way is still not worth it, as the radius for stealth scan is so small and can be avoided entirely.) 

my understanding of the ability is NOT that you need to catch players in it (there's a bonus if you do) but that as long as it's active, you get a flat 30% DR  while stunned (stacking for every stealth you uncover). the problem as I see it is that the CD on the ability is 5 seconds longer than the scan lasts, so any sensible enemy (especially stealther) just has to open on you when your scan drops away. ofc, he can CC you 1 gcd out of the opener and thus prevent you from dropping scan again for the 30% DR.

anyway, uncovering stealth isn't the selling point of the enhanced ability. unless I completely misread it. i only played with it for 2 or 3 weeks. but I'm pretty sure I have it right.

On 9/6/2023 at 6:13 AM, Ahwassa said:

Anyway merc has defs and the pt for exmple has damage.

PT defenses are quite good. the class lacks an escape. that combined with their overwhelming burst is why the are generally the first target these days. and let's not forget this is a trinity game. AP in trinity is absolutely obnoxious. Pyro ain't too shabby either.

Edited September 7, 2023 by krackcommando