Shockwave in Need of a Rework

IImayneII

The Shockwave skill in pvp needs a rework rather sooner than later. As it stands, the skill completely trivializes a big part of the gameplay in many situations

So what's so wrong about it you ask?

1. Shard Cost
2. Impossible to interrupt the startup
3. Keeps knockback on block
4. Guarantees a heal
5. Free reset to neutral
6. High range
7. Acts as a parry
8. Ledge kills



All these points make shockwave a ridiculous good skill. Basically everyone should be using shockwave because it's the best skill in the game for the lowest cost. If you don't use it you are putting yourself at a disadvantage.

If your opponent has pressure on you, you can completely negate that pressure and set back to neutral with shockwave, at that point you can heal, get stamina back and possibly even get a ledge kill in the process. If someone uses a heal you can also easily cancel their heal with shockwave for free because they spend 2 shards for their heal and you basically get 2 tries to cancel their heal with shockwave.

Shockwave constantly interrupts the flow of a game and it's basically free, in term of cost and that it can't be interrupted nor has a counter. Shockwave needs a massive rework if it wants to be remotely balanced.

Suggestions

1. 3 shard cost
2. longer startup
3. no knockback on block
4. not acting as a parry


I feel Gravity is what Shockwave should have been, so in my opinion there is even no need for shockwave to be in the game because it just gives you a free get out or any situation card. While I'm sure it will never be removed from the game, in it's current form it needs a big rework nontheless.

Hokagae

I agree, shockwave in its current state has resulted in players not even using their defensive traits (parry, absorb etc.) but relying solely on shockwave to give them stamina regen, relief from pressure, and ledge knock offs.

They just combo, block, shockwave, rinse and repeat. Never having to use their style ability.

Definitely increase the shard cost.

KnoDout

I think the simplest thing would to increase the shard cost to 2 and put a cool down of 4-5 seconds on the ability so it can't be spammed to ring-out people or to be used as a guaranteed parry for those not willing to learn the mechanic, while still allowing for the item to have some viable application in the game fairly...

Crassard

I disagree with move cooldowns, none of the moves have CDs it'd be weird and unintuitive to introduce one to a single skill. Up the shard cost to 2, and either cut the range by a third or make blocking negate the knockback in addition to jump moves and absorb (if able to anticipate such a fast skill AND the skill doesn't just straight up stop your attack/parry it - that should be removed from Shockwave as well)

Lemme7smash

If Shock wavegonna get nerfed then so should parrying. Cause honestly Shockwave and parry both interrupt the hell out of a combo. Except parrying let's you go in right after cause your close up. Thats why theres knockback. So you can't just use it to keep pressure. Or to replace parry.

I don't think Shockwave should be changed. It makes perfect logical sense for it to be how it is. It's a ki push like in dbz. It shouldn't take a lot of energy to cast and should be nice and quick. And considering the amount of pressure that comes from it a block should not negate the push back. I do agree with it being used too often to push off the edge. But I don't know how they would fix that. And considering anyone can push anyone off it seems balanced enough to me, but ya using it for the purpose to get ledge kills and having your whole focus only be that, that needs to change.

Lemme7smash

But the problems aren't the skill. It's players. If they did any of your suggestions it would just ruin the move.

Legend

I dont think shockwave is such a problem sure it can be annoying if you get pushed of ledge but thats about it.. Apart of that it works great as a skill to interrupt opponent and give you breathing room when needed... At high tier games most people will end up blocking it... More of real problem is the ledge maps which no one likes

slcp_Strochnis

Hey IImayneII,

As you may have seen, Shoxkwave will be rebalanced in the next update : https://www.absolvergame.com/forums/discussion/856/absolver-update-from-sloclap-upcoming-1-06-notes#latest.

Let us know what you think !