Work In Progress GU103: New Artifacts

Hello again! Three new artifacts will launch with Game Update 103, and today we would like to get your feedback as they hit the public test server.

These are new artifacts, so the overall goal is to add new (or enhance existing) builds and ways to play, without getting too powerful or too good. New builds should be new options, not a new "required" playstyle.

TL;DR

• Source Shard offers a more active way to buff and use your pets.
• B.O.P. Commlink allows Controllers to combine debuffs into fewer tray abilities.
• Everyman Prototype adds defense as health decreases.

Source Shard

This miniscule fleck of Source energy remains connected to the unimaginable power of the Source.

Breakthrough Abilities:

• Rank 80: Grants Godwave Strength
  • Godwave Strength is a tray ability that increases 1 pet's damage for 5 seconds.
• Rank 120: Godwave Strength now affects up to 2 pets.
• Rank 160: Using a Superpower now has a chance to reset the cooldown of Godwave Strength.
• Rank 200: Godwave Strength now affects up to 3 pets.

Developer Notes: the Source Shard is designed with a simple goal in mind: invite you to take on a pet-centric playstyle, where you can directly and actively influence pet damage output.

There are two main elements to consider while using this artifact.

1. What pets to use and when.
2. What types of abilities to use to complement Godwave Strength and your pets.

First, note that this artifact will only buff up to 3 of your pets at a time, so it's important to attempt to have your strongest three pets out (and no others) when you cast Godwave Strength. This is because the ability will target randomly among your pets, so if you only have your strongest pets out, you guarantee that they are the ones that will be buffed.

Second, consider how Superpowers have a chance to reset the cooldown of Godwave Strength, and choose your Superpowers wisely. One strategy might be to use abilities with low cooldowns and low powercosts, in order to 'fish' for that reset for Godwave Strength.

Recommended Artifact Pairings:

• Grimorium Verum

These are not the only considerations or the only builds to play with pets, of course, and we look forward for your feedback.


B.O.P. Commlink

When it comes to coordinating her team, Oracle knows communication is key.

Breakthrough Abilities:

• Rank 80: Grants Birds' Blitz
  • Birds' Blitz is a new tray ability that applies a Defense debuff and Healing debuff on target for 6 seconds.
• Rank 80: All controller debuffs now last only 6 seconds while this artifact is equipped.
• Rank 120: Grants Siphon Weakness (Passive)
  • When you attack a target with all three debuffs on them, you provide a small amount of power to you and your group.
• Rank 160: Birds' Blitz now also provides Damage debuff on target.
• Rank 200: Siphon Weakness effectiveness is doubled.

Developer Notes: the B.O.P. Commlink is designed to free up tray space for you Controllers that want to try out other playstyles.

First and because it bears repeating, Birds' Blitz applies a Defense, Healing, AND Damage debuff at Rank 160, reducing the tray abilities you need for full debuffs from three to just one. With those two open slots, it is really up to you where you want to go with your playstyle. You could battle troll with more damage, double down on crowd control, or go your own way. It's up to you.

Second, remember it's unlikely your allies will ever stop begging for more power, so once you have all three debuffs on a target, concentrate your attacks there to capitalize on Siphon Weakness and pump out as much power as you can.

Recommended Artifact Pairings:

• Amulet of Rao
• Claw of Aelkhund
• Parasite's Power Harness
• Strategist Card

We are excited to see where you will take your Controller builds with this artifact, and we are definitely expecting to hear a lot of feedback.


Everyman Prototype

Luthor's process for giving regular folks powers was an unmitigated success... until he terminated the test subjects.

Breakthrough Abilities:

• Rank 80: Grants Genetic Alterations (Passive)
  • Increases your defense equal to a percentage of your max health value when your health gets low.
  • Health Range Bonuses:
    • 75-51%: Gain 0% of max health converted to defense.
    • 50-31%: Gain 3% of max health converted to defense.
    • 30% or Lower: Gain 6% of max health converted to defense.
• Rank 120: Genetic Alterations increases defense further
  • Health Range Bonuses:
    • 75-51%: Gain 0% of max health converted to defense.
    • 50-31%: Gain 6% of max health converted to defense.
    • 30% or Lower: Gain 9% of max health converted to defense.
• Rank 160: Generic Alterations increases defense even further
  • Health Range Bonuses:
    • 75-51%: Gain 2% of max health converted to defense.
    • 50-31%: Gain 6% of max health converted to defense.
    • 30% or Lower: Gain 9% of max health converted to defense.
• Rank 200: Generic Alterations increases defense even more further
  • Health Range Bonuses:
    • 75-51%: Gain 4% of max health converted to defense.
    • 50-31%: Gain 9% of max health converted to defense.
    • 30% or Lower: Gain 12% of max health converted to defense.

Developer Notes: the Everyman Prototype is designed to let you better manage the damage you take by leveling out the spikes. The more damage you have taken, the better your defense. This artifact is especially good for players that see their health drop constantly and dramatically.

One way to fully maximize this artifact is to increase your health as much as possible because it directly scales off of your maximum health value (not your current health value).

Recommended Artifact Pairings:

• Mystic Symbol of the Seven
• Dilustel Refractor
• Manacles of Force

We are looking forward to your feedback on how this changes the feel when tanking, especially against more difficult content.


Testing

These three artifacts will be on the public test server later today. Please follow our discussions to the test thread for each artifact, for testing feedback, questions, and thoughts overall.

• Source Shard Test Discussion
• B.O.P. Commlink Test Discussion
• Everyman Prototype Test Discussion

Sorry folks - meant to have this thread locked so we could discuss in the linked testing threads.

The tank and pet changes are also going to test today at the same time.