Suggestion: Dark Flare

BugCollector

Make it an instant cast, but remove the healing debuff. Templars lack in speed when it comes to being casters. this could be a solution.

Fizzlewizzle

I wouldn't mind it... Its not like you need the healing debuff that often.
But... for now ill stay neutral, lets see what others say.

(Not a main caster. Heavy armor freak here.)

BugCollector

EDIT: or at least give it a proc chance like Crystal Shards. It hits for less than Crystal Shards and doesn't have a knockdown as well.

danovic

if they not going to make mage crystal shards instant they will never do this they about the same cast time spells. I use the other aoe spell from this line anyway like the 20 percent more damage from attack.

Curragraigue

Please don't remove the debuff that is what makes this skill useful in PvP. If you want an instant cast use the other morph or use vampires bane if you want a range instant cast. This skill as is has a lot of use for a support role in Cyrodiil. Removing the cast time would make it too powerful in Cyrodiil.

Fizzlewizzle

What would be the pro's and cons for this change...

The good:
Templars would gain a better single target dps, as well as a ranged dps option.
Currently the best single target dps skill they have is Puncturing Sweep/ Biting Jabs. That says a lot since those skills are (originally) the first accessible skill, as well as an AOE skill.
When looking at ranged dps you only have Vampire Bane, of which half of the damage is placed in its DoT, which as we all know doesn't stack.

The bad:
Dark Flare packs quite a punch. Since it has quite a flight time you could become able to fire off multiple ones, followed by Radiant Destruction to kill another player very quickly (i managed to do this already, without the casting decrease).
No casting time would also mean that you could weave it with light attack, or even attempt animation canceling for every fast, high damage attack. Not to sure, but if this were an option it might be the strongest spell with which you could do this.

Some comparisons:
Dark Flare isn't like Crystal Shards, which can be used to knock down enemies. Spamming this would make it a lot "saver" for the receiving end, as they can protect against it better (or even shake it off when it does land straight in there face).
At the same time it does give a 20% boost for the next attack, which does count when you release a lot of them in short succession.

Personal verdict:
Would i mind this skill without a cast time... nope. There should however be some changes if this skill ends up without casting time.

Either the 20% attack or the Healing debuff should be removed.
The healing debuff is useful against certain opponents and in certain fights, some would be sad to see it go.
The 20% attack bonus is useful, but when able to fire it in such quick successions you don't really need it for the skill itself.
Although i like the 20% monus more, my personal pick would be that one, as the other morph doesn't give a healing debuff.

"No casting time" should become 0.1 casting time.
This would be to counter spell weaving with a skill that deals quite a bit of damage.

Radiant Destruction would need a rework.
Atm a surprise attack with multiple Dark Flares and Radiant is already a killer. Having a very strong opener and a finisher would be OP. Radiant was originally given because of the complaints about lack of offensive options.
For Radiant i would then suggest something along the following line:
- Increase damage by 50-150%.
- Remove the "finisher" aspect (no more 300% bonus against low health targets).
- Maybe add a snare to it.
- Give it the same counter options as Soul assault.
It would mean that the damage in the skills description is the damage you would do. No more 10K skills hitting for 30K or something. It would basically become a beginners soul assault, without secret hidden bonuses.