Grim Focus -- You like?

Shunravi · May 2015

Varicite wrote: »

Shunravi wrote: »

So, yea, it is speculation on our part, but it is the only way the skill works..

It actually is NOT speculation whatsoever. How is the developers themselves talking about why the ability was changed on ESO Live not an official source, considering how sparse any information regarding the game coming directly from the devs is?

ZOS told us very specifically that the ability "Haste" was going to be reworked into something that was more friendly to animation cancelling, as the old haste buffs were pretty much moot when everybody was attack weaving anyway.

Then Grim Focus was born, incorporating many of the buffs that were a part of the original ability "Haste".

"Haste (Nightblade) – this was a cool concept, but because of light attack weaving this ability was never really useful or powerful. We replaced this ability with “Grim Focus” which is a duration buff which grants the “Minor Damage Done” buff for around 20 seconds. It tracks how many times you have attacked your target. Once you have done 8 attacks, it swaps to a new attack that allows you to summon a spectral bow which shoots the enemy for a high amount of damage. This is really cool because it’s a highly interactive ability."

And again, I am corrected

could I get an official link?

Vizier · May 2015

Varicite wrote: »

Shunravi wrote: »

So, yea, it is speculation on our part, but it is the only way the skill works..

It actually is NOT speculation whatsoever. How is the developers themselves talking about why the ability was changed on ESO Live not an official source, considering how sparse any information regarding the game coming directly from the devs is?

ZOS told us very specifically that the ability "Haste" was going to be reworked into something that was more friendly to animation cancelling, as the old haste buffs were pretty much moot when everybody was attack weaving anyway.

Then Grim Focus was born, incorporating many of the buffs that were a part of the original ability "Haste".

"Haste (Nightblade) – this was a cool concept, but because of light attack weaving this ability was never really useful or powerful. We replaced this ability with “Grim Focus” which is a duration buff which grants the “Minor Damage Done” buff for around 20 seconds. It tracks how many times you have attacked your target. Once you have done 8 attacks, it swaps to a new attack that allows you to summon a spectral bow which shoots the enemy for a high amount of damage. This is really cool because it’s a highly interactive ability."

I'm not familiar with ZoS actually speaking of "Animation Cancelling" as your assertion claims. You have a quote on that? It would be interesting to see.

Varicite · May 2015

Vizier wrote: »

Varicite wrote: »

Shunravi wrote: »

So, yea, it is speculation on our part, but it is the only way the skill works..

It actually is NOT speculation whatsoever. How is the developers themselves talking about why the ability was changed on ESO Live not an official source, considering how sparse any information regarding the game coming directly from the devs is?

ZOS told us very specifically that the ability "Haste" was going to be reworked into something that was more friendly to animation cancelling, as the old haste buffs were pretty much moot when everybody was attack weaving anyway.

Then Grim Focus was born, incorporating many of the buffs that were a part of the original ability "Haste".

"Haste (Nightblade) – this was a cool concept, but because of light attack weaving this ability was never really useful or powerful. We replaced this ability with “Grim Focus” which is a duration buff which grants the “Minor Damage Done” buff for around 20 seconds. It tracks how many times you have attacked your target. Once you have done 8 attacks, it swaps to a new attack that allows you to summon a spectral bow which shoots the enemy for a high amount of damage. This is really cool because it’s a highly interactive ability."

I'm not familiar with ZoS actually speaking of "Animation Cancelling" as your assertion claims. You have a quote on that? It would be interesting to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9yqeetasSQ

What you want begins at ~1:33:18.

Shunravi · May 2015

Varicite wrote: »

Vizier wrote: »

Varicite wrote: »

Shunravi wrote: »

So, yea, it is speculation on our part, but it is the only way the skill works..

It actually is NOT speculation whatsoever. How is the developers themselves talking about why the ability was changed on ESO Live not an official source, considering how sparse any information regarding the game coming directly from the devs is?

ZOS told us very specifically that the ability "Haste" was going to be reworked into something that was more friendly to animation cancelling, as the old haste buffs were pretty much moot when everybody was attack weaving anyway.

Then Grim Focus was born, incorporating many of the buffs that were a part of the original ability "Haste".

"Haste (Nightblade) – this was a cool concept, but because of light attack weaving this ability was never really useful or powerful. We replaced this ability with “Grim Focus” which is a duration buff which grants the “Minor Damage Done” buff for around 20 seconds. It tracks how many times you have attacked your target. Once you have done 8 attacks, it swaps to a new attack that allows you to summon a spectral bow which shoots the enemy for a high amount of damage. This is really cool because it’s a highly interactive ability."

I'm not familiar with ZoS actually speaking of "Animation Cancelling" as your assertion claims. You have a quote on that? It would be interesting to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9yqeetasSQ

What you want begins at ~1:33:18.

there it is!

atomikrej · May 2015

Well the skill now requires 7 attacks. Also does anyone know if I use it with my bow and cast it after holding down attack does that heavy attack count as hit number 1? That would mean only 6 light attack weaves in 20 seconds to activate the spectral bow.

Samuel_Bantien · May 2015

Varicite wrote: »

Shunravi wrote: »

So, yea, it is speculation on our part, but it is the only way the skill works..

It actually is NOT speculation whatsoever. How is the developers themselves talking about why the ability was changed on ESO Live not an official source, considering how sparse any information regarding the game coming directly from the devs is?

ZOS told us very specifically that the ability "Haste" was going to be reworked into something that was more friendly to animation cancelling, as the old haste buffs were pretty much moot when everybody was attack weaving anyway.

Then Grim Focus was born, incorporating many of the buffs that were a part of the original ability "Haste".

"Haste (Nightblade) – this was a cool concept, but because of light attack weaving this ability was never really useful or powerful. We replaced this ability with “Grim Focus” which is a duration buff which grants the “Minor Damage Done” buff for around 20 seconds. It tracks how many times you have attacked your target. Once you have done 8 attacks, it swaps to a new attack that allows you to summon a spectral bow which shoots the enemy for a high amount of damage. This is really cool because it’s a highly interactive ability."

Good thing you pointed this out, I stand partially corrected. Sadly, they did state just attacks, not light attacks, or heavy attacks, or abilities that would count toward the 8 stacks. Just attacks. If some of my suggestions don't make sense for you, you can speak up though, if all attacks/abilities worked toward the 8 stacks then the Assassin's Will passive could be more useful. Again, this move is basically only used for the buff in PvP & PvE, not much use in PvP unless you are light attacking players to death. I have never been hit by one, and I have only had the chance to use Assassin's Will once since 1.6 launched on live. Sadly, I received a whisper asking, "what is Assassin's Will" where I then commented, "the new nightblade ability". The player then replied to the effect of, "Oh, I never seen that ability before". Many friends that I play with, when the discussion came up, were bothered on how in the world could ZoS make a useless activate, a.k.a. Assassin's Will, we all agreed that Assassin's Will is cool, has a smooth animation, but it is not practical. The best chance to getting an Assassin's Will activate is if you're dueling a turtle that lets you light attack them 8 times and if you're still alive when weaving. Take a look again:

Samuel_Bantien wrote: »

“We have gone through pretty much every ability in the game to make sure that it’s something that you wanted to use, to make sure that each ability has a use in a certain situation, rather than some abilities and morphs being obviously better than others.'
Specifically Haste got rework, here is how:
Haste (Nightblade) – this was a cool concept, but because of light attack weaving this ability was never really useful or powerful.[/b] We replaced this ability with “Grim Focus” which is a duration buff which grants the “Minor Damage Done” buff for around 20 seconds. It tracks how many times you have attacked your target. Once you have done 8 attacks, it swaps to a new attack that allows you to summon a spectral bow which shoots the enemy for a high amount of damage. This is really cool because it’s a highly interactive ability."

Take notice at the unspecific "8 attacks" - no words about Grim Focus being designed for weaving or anything of that sort. Just "8 attacks". - http://tamrielfoundry.com/topic/haste-rework-grim-focus/ - and was quoted/stated from an ESO live.

Please read all that I have to say before jumping to conclusions. Yes you were right this ability was designed for weaving, but so is every other skill the game. It wasn't practical to have 30% faster weapon attacks when you can't see them at all through weaving - not practical so lets get rid of this spell. Now it is again, as they stated, "8 attacks". Not "8 light or heavy attacks", just "8 attacks".

TheSunAlsoRises wrote: »

what am i missing? I use this only for the dmg buff and the stamina regen morph in PvE.

how does your dps output go down? because of having to toggle it back on once it wears off?

You use this buff only for the damage buff and the stamina regen morph, not for the Assassin's Will activate, so DPS does not drop for you - again as you only use Grim Focus as a buff, not for the damage activate. This should show you that this ability is just a damage buff (almost like Haste & Morphs). Not really much else to say other than the long animation sequence + travel time, which by the average player would not weave blocking into their rotation when using this skill thus lowers DPS due to again long animation, travel time of the projectile, then having to recast the buff after use. Cool design, it just did not deliver. Hyped beyond its actual capabilities due to misleading wording. - The only real capability now is the 8% damage buff and the 10% stamina regeneration.

Edit - misplaced a paragraph and quote, fixed!

Varicite · May 2015

Samuel_Bantien wrote: »

Varicite wrote: »

Shunravi wrote: »

So, yea, it is speculation on our part, but it is the only way the skill works..

It actually is NOT speculation whatsoever. How is the developers themselves talking about why the ability was changed on ESO Live not an official source, considering how sparse any information regarding the game coming directly from the devs is?

ZOS told us very specifically that the ability "Haste" was going to be reworked into something that was more friendly to animation cancelling, as the old haste buffs were pretty much moot when everybody was attack weaving anyway.

Then Grim Focus was born, incorporating many of the buffs that were a part of the original ability "Haste".

"Haste (Nightblade) – this was a cool concept, but because of light attack weaving this ability was never really useful or powerful. We replaced this ability with “Grim Focus” which is a duration buff which grants the “Minor Damage Done” buff for around 20 seconds. It tracks how many times you have attacked your target. Once you have done 8 attacks, it swaps to a new attack that allows you to summon a spectral bow which shoots the enemy for a high amount of damage. This is really cool because it’s a highly interactive ability."

Good thing you pointed this out, I stand partially corrected. Sadly, they did state just attacks, not light attacks, or heavy attacks, or abilities that would count toward the 8 stacks. Just attacks. If some of my suggestions don't make sense for you, you can speak up though, if all attacks/abilities worked toward the 8 stacks then the Assassin's Will passive could be more useful. Again, this move is basically only used for the buff in PvP & PvE, not much use in PvP unless you are light attacking players to death. I have never been hit by one, and I have only had the chance to use Assassin's Will once since 1.6 launched on live. Sadly, I received a whisper asking, "what is Assassin's Will" where I then commented, "the new nightblade ability". The player then replied to the effect of, "Oh, I never seen that ability before". Many friends that I play with, when the discussion came up, were bothered on how in the world could ZoS make a useless activate, a.k.a. Assassin's Will, we all agreed that Assassin's Will is cool, has a smooth animation, but it is not practical. The best chance to getting an Assassin's Will activate is if you're dueling a turtle that lets you light attack them 8 times and if you're still alive when weaving.

TheSunAlsoRises wrote: »

what am i missing? I use this only for the dmg buff and the stamina regen morph in PvE.

how does your dps output go down? because of having to toggle it back on once it wears off?

You use this buff only for the damage buff and the stamina regen morph, not for the Assassin's Will activate, so DPS does not drop for you - again as you only use Grim Focus as a buff, not for the damage activate. This should show you that this ability is just a damage buff (almost like Haste & Morphs). Not really much else to say other than the long animation sequence + travel time, which by the average player would not weave blocking into their rotation when using this skill thus lowers DPS due to again long animation, travel time of the projectile, then having to recast the buff after use. Cool design, it just did not deliver. Hyped beyond its actual capabilities due to misleading wording. - The only real capability now is the 8% damage buff and the 10% stamina regeneration.

Samuel_Bantien wrote: »

“We have gone through pretty much every ability in the game to make sure that it’s something that you wanted to use, to make sure that each ability has a use in a certain situation, rather than some abilities and morphs being obviously better than others.'
Specifically Haste got rework, here is how:
Haste (Nightblade) – this was a cool concept, but because of light attack weaving this ability was never really useful or powerful.[/b] We replaced this ability with “Grim Focus” which is a duration buff which grants the “Minor Damage Done” buff for around 20 seconds. It tracks how many times you have attacked your target. Once you have done 8 attacks, it swaps to a new attack that allows you to summon a spectral bow which shoots the enemy for a high amount of damage. This is really cool because it’s a highly interactive ability."

Take notice at the unspecific "8 attacks" - no words about Grim Focus being designed for weaving or anything of that sort. Just "8 attacks". - http://tamrielfoundry.com/topic/haste-rework-grim-focus/ - and was quoted/stated from an ESO live.

Please read all that I have to say before jumping to conclusions. Yes you were right this ability was designed for weaving, but so is every other skill the game. It wasn't practical to have 30% faster weapon attacks when you can't see them at all through weaving - not practical so lets get rid of this spell. Now it is again, as they stated, "8 attacks". Not "8 light or heavy attacks", just "8 attacks".

I was simply clarifying the reason the ability was created, which was to better accommodate attack weaving. It was literally designed for it.

I don't take any issue w/ skills being counted as part of the "attacks" or anything. I only ever used Incapacitate (Haste morph) for the heavy attack damage anyway, and as such I don't use any morph of Grim Focus on any of my 4 NBs.

I don't like the ability, I don't like the way it works. They took the worst part of the worst morph of Haste and then turned that into the base ability. It's very meh, imo.

aco5712 · May 2015

i only use it for the dmg buff and stam recovery

PBpsy · May 2015

The skill is beginning to grow on me for a Magicka Funnel Destro build for PVE.The skill rewards really good L/M attack weaving.I am begging to be able to get it to shoot 1 to 3 time on vet dungeon bosses depending how good the other dps is and it does some nice damage. The skill needs some tweaking though.The biggest problem is that is hard/glitchy to activate it even when you got your 7 hits in and you can lose the opportunity very fast.
Reducing the 7 hits might help but I think that would help more is once you get 7 hits in a new 6-10s counter starts for you to shoot it even if the initial buff is over.
Another possibility would be to nerf the damage buff and make it a toggle but still require an activation to shoot the arrow.It would require some nice new mechanic though. It would be closer to Inferno but still not something so automatic.

Bouvin · May 2015

Grim Focus is crap. Just like Agony and Refreshing Path.

You rarely see NBs using these. I've tried to use them all... and given up on them. It feels like NB class is 3 skills short.

Bouvin · May 2015

Cody wrote: »

Grim focus is mediocre at best. ZOS should just give the class a self heal/damage shield already.

Or just left Haste as is.. it wasn't that bad.

Yonkit · May 2015

Bouvin wrote: »

Grim Focus is crap. Just like Agony and Refreshing Path.

You rarely see NBs using these. I've tried to use them all... and given up on them. It feels like NB class is 3 skills short.

You're a baddie

Any good NB will use this skill in PVE and the smart ones use it in PVP. DMG buff and increase stamina? Hells ya! Then weaving in the proc in PVE is super easy, and when it happens in PVP it's a nice little bonus (rare as it happens).

wraith808 · May 2015

Bouvin wrote: »

Cody wrote: »

Grim focus is mediocre at best. ZOS should just give the class a self heal/damage shield already.

Or just left Haste as is.. it wasn't that bad.

It really was :-/

Varicite · May 2015

Bouvin wrote: »

Cody wrote: »

Grim focus is mediocre at best. ZOS should just give the class a self heal/damage shield already.

Or just left Haste as is.. it wasn't that bad.

Nobody really took Haste because of Haste. They took it for the secondary buffs, and that is exactly why people use Grim Focus the majority of the time.

helediron · May 2015

I'd like to see two changes:
1. Let the Assassin's will automatically start the next cycle. Now i need to click once to release AW and then click a second time to start next cycle. Needing two clicks cancel out most of the DPS advantage. It is very unnatural to use in rotation. Just combine the two clicks into one. When the spectral arrow is released start automaticlly a new cycle.
2. Let any attack count. Or simply enable AW after seven seconds. I can't use it now on my tank build...

Magicka NBs DDs are behind other builds in end game DPS. These changes would lift them on par with others. The change would not affect PvP because of long build-up time of AW.

Sensesfail13 · May 2015

Ive tried using it... pretty useless and the 8% doesnt stack with other abilities. Garbage skill.

septvestige · May 2015

NB has so many useful skills so in order to consider using a new one like grim focus it has to be awesome. A simply good or mediocre skill has no room in our skill bar.

Bouvin · May 2015

Yonkit wrote: »

Bouvin wrote: »

Grim Focus is crap. Just like Agony and Refreshing Path.

You rarely see NBs using these. I've tried to use them all... and given up on them. It feels like NB class is 3 skills short.

You're a baddie

Any good NB will use this skill in PVE and the smart ones use it in PVP. DMG buff and increase stamina? Hells ya! Then weaving in the proc in PVE is super easy, and when it happens in PVP it's a nice little bonus (rare as it happens).

So I can get 10% stam regen (as opposed to focused attacks which was 40%) and 8% damage, or slot something like rally that gives 20% damage bonus and a heal.

Yep, I guess slotting useful stuff makes me a bad. LOL.

And the proc on Grim Focus? With a Stam build it's like 7k.. my Surprise Attack does ~6k. Why wouldn't I just hit Rally then Surprise attack instead of having to weave in 7 light attacks to wait for a proc?

Fact is, there are too many other things I'd rather have on my bar in PvP than wasting a slot on Grim Focus. Or especially Agony and Refreshing Path.

kylerjalen · June 2015

Regarding the morph, Relentless Focus, does it stack with other stamina regeneration such as the lycanthropy bonus?
I am currently using it for the stam regen + werewolf stam regen as well as the damage buff. I don't even bother with the Assassins Will shot.
If the stam regen does not stack and all there is is the damage buff then I'll probably drop it for something else I can use.

torinsoul · June 2015

I like grim focus but I thing the heavy/light attacks needs to be removed. Currently I don't ever see any one using the the bow part of the skill. Most players are only using the skill for regen and extra damage. Wile in combat most of the time you don't even have time to do that many heavy or light attacks.

F7sus4 · June 2015

TheSunAlsoRises wrote: »

what am i missing? I use this only for the dmg buff and the stamina regen morph in PvE.

Nothing, sir. You're probably the first person in the topic that understands how to properly use this skill.

jellicles · August 2015

Sorry about resurrecting an old topic, but I could not find a discussion on this matter that would answer my question.

I believe I benefit from the buffs, but I am still confused by the mechanics. I have never been able to get the spectral bow to fire. Would someone write a simple walkthrough of how to use the skill?

Allow me to provide a skeleton test case an example. Mind you, I am a console user, and the use case I have in mind is a melee encounter with some kind of boss (otherwise the attack would be over well before I had a chance to do the required number of attacks):
1) press the relentless focus button
2) press the rapid strikes button
3) light attack 1
4) light attack 2
5) light attack 3
6) heavy attack 1
7) incapacitating strike
8) light attack 4
9) light attack 5
--> Do the skill attacks count along with the other knife strikes as part of the attack count? Because if they do then something ought to happen here, right? If not, we carry on with the test case.
10) light attack 6
11) heavy attack 2
---> Is this where the Assassins Will becomes actionable? And if so, how do I execute it? What will the UI do to indicate that the spectral bow is now available? Or will it just fire at the current target?

Thanks.

DerpyShadowz · August 2015

jellicles wrote: »

Sorry about resurrecting an old topic, but I could not find a discussion on this matter that would answer my question.

I believe I benefit from the buffs, but I am still confused by the mechanics. I have never been able to get the spectral bow to fire. Would someone write a simple walkthrough of how to use the skill?

Allow me to provide a skeleton test case an example. Mind you, I am a console user, and the use case I have in mind is a melee encounter with some kind of boss (otherwise the attack would be over well before I had a chance to do the required number of attacks):
1) press the relentless focus button
2) press the rapid strikes button
3) light attack 1
4) light attack 2
5) light attack 3
6) heavy attack 1
7) incapacitating strike
8) light attack 4
9) light attack 5
--> Do the skill attacks count along with the other knife strikes as part of the attack count? Because if they do then something ought to happen here, right? If not, we carry on with the test case.
10) light attack 6
11) heavy attack 2
---> Is this where the Assassins Will becomes actionable? And if so, how do I execute it? What will the UI do to indicate that the spectral bow is now available? Or will it just fire at the current target?

Thanks.

After performing 7 basic (light,medium,heavy) attacks (soon to be 4 in next update) The skill icon will change and a sound will play, You can then press the skill again to activate the proc. Skills themselves do not count towards this number, only basic attacks from your weapon itself, and you have to do them within the 20 second timer, which is far more than do-able.

revonine · August 2015

I can't wait till next update when the amount of attacks required goes down to 4, it'll be essentially Crystal Frags for Nightblades.

Shunravi · August 2015

revonine wrote: »

I can't wait till next update when the amount of attacks required goes down to 4, it'll be essentially Crystal Frags for Nightblades.

With its own flavor and balance due to the cast and charge. Will be good.

Mush55 · August 2015

I must be odd, I'm quite enjoying this skill for the little damage buff and regen . Would be nice if they dropped the number of hits or extended the time to 25 seconds, but still finding it useful to me at the moment..

mcurley · August 2015

Can anyone confirm if the Minor Berserk buff lasts the full duration if the spectral bow is fired?

jellicles · August 2015

I Highlander l wrote: »

After performing 7 basic (light,medium,heavy) attacks (soon to be 4 in next update) The skill icon will change and a sound will play, You can then press the skill again to activate the proc. Skills themselves do not count towards this number, only basic attacks from your weapon itself, and you have to do them within the 20 second timer, which is far more than do-able.

Thank you. So referring back to my test case the proc will fire at step ten when, that is after seven basic attacks. Then it is up to me to initiate the spectral bow effect. Great! Thank you so much, @I Highlander l, for the clarification and explanation on how to access and use the proc.

jellicles · August 2015

Mush55 wrote: »

I must be odd, I'm quite enjoying this skill for the little damage buff and regen . Would be nice if they dropped the number of hits or extended the time to 25 seconds, but still finding it useful to me at the moment..

I agree, @Mush55. Despite my confusion over using the proc, the damage and regeneration buffs have proved quite helpful. But by themselves they do not make this the ultimate, or should I say penultimate ability in the skill tree.

Mush55 · August 2015

@jellicles Agree it's not the best ability but I will take any boost I can find that fits in with my play style , I've put it on my bar I feel I'm performing a little better even in my crap gear.

Think it's just one of those skills you either like or loath but at the moment it seems to be helping out my build..