TL;DR (ARGUMENTATION IS DOWN BELOW):
Knive:
-
Throwing knive : remove the charge-up delay (/decrease it at least over 50%) or increase the velocity of the projectiles
-
Backstab : Remove slow-down effect while holding down a backstab. Decrease delay time under 1 second.
Double-Barrel Pistol:
- No slow-down effect (meaning no holding down for the double shot).
Ok,
I know I'm quite early on this topic, but you don't have to be playing that long to figure out that the new weapons won't "mix up" the meta.
Don't get me wrong: I really like the idea of adding new weapons to get a bit of variety into the game, but this won't work if nobody plays with it.
Here are some balance changes the two weapons really need:
The Knife:
-
--- Rare... if you already want to add Throwing Knives combined with backstab-mechanics, then please do it right. The velocity of the throwing knives are way to low meaning they fly way to slow. They don't need to fly like a bullet, thats not my point. But if you see a player already charging up the throwing knife and it flies so slow with (still server lags/hitreg being a thing) it'll very easy to just dodge it, which makes a part of the weapon useless. I'd say either remove the charge-up delay (/decrease it at least over 50%) or increase the velocity of the projectiles. After all, with these changes the throw-able knives won't only hold for a better stand, but also look more aesthetic as the delays don't rig with the smoothness of gameplay.
-
--- If you want to add backstab-mechanics (and by that introduce the opportunity to go for trickstabs) then there should be no delay over 1 second. I'll say it again: Pirates move way to frequently to hit a trickstab with such a high delay. I could only get a backstab (, which "oneshots" the opponent,) if I manage to successfully sneak up on them. But let's be real: There is ALREADY a weapon like this: The Blunderbuss. Like I could do the same thing with a blunderbuss and if I miss some pallets I dont have to worry because either way a shot of the Blunderbuss knocks the enemy away (out of their ship if they are f.e. behind a cannon or something else and didn't see me coming). Again: The delay for the charge up is too restrictive. The slow-down while charging up single-handly destroys any backstab where you could somehow still manage to get behind a player in combat situation (for reference look up TF2 Spy Backstabs as I see Rare got inspired by that, but made a bad version out of it). And if you still manage to get behind a player and you have the possibility to go for a backstab... well pray that for whatever reason the opponent, who you got behind to, doesn't move in the 2 second delay. (SPOILER: THEY WILL OBVIOUSLY TURN AROUND/MOVE SO YOU CANNOT BACKSTAB surprise surprise I KNOW!!!). So here is what I THINK Rare needs to change with the other part of the knive to make it a viable combat option: Remove the slow-down effect while charging up for a backstab. Also decrease the delay time for a backstab charge-up under 1 second.
Double-barrel Pistol:
- Sure... the double shot of the Double-barrel Pistol is a strong shot. However, please note that in a real combat situation on f.e. a vessel I don't have much time to charge up. Of course my opponent will see what I'm up against if I charge up the the pistol and either he'll a) hide until I fire the shot or b) rush towards me. Both situations are not good for me while I'm charging up the pistol because:
a) while holding down the loaded shot I'm slowed until I release it, which makes it nearly impossible to go after a freely moving enemy on my vessel.
b) while I charge up I'm extremely vulnerable meaning the enemy could just easily come after me and f.e. one-blunder me.
Rest assured, I think the charge up delay can stay how its like, but a pirate really needs his mobility. In every aspect of PVPing running, jumping etc. makes a big impact and so the slow-down effect while holding down the double shot cannot keep up.
I'd like to know what you guys think. Sure, I'm very early to this topic, but I also don't want Rare's work, which could have a potentially good impact on the current pvp-meta be thrown to the garbage so easily.
