Artis wrote: »

I think it wouldn't change the identity - it's simply redistributing numbers and changing the dps-curve throughout the fight (if that makes sense?). Besides, it could affect PvP dramatically, where your NB wouldn't be able to even get an enemy to the execute range or on the other hand one shot everyone who they happen to run into with low hp.

That being said, NB indeed lacks something that makes it different from other DPS, I agree. And that's where I would start the changes.

Not even talking about numbers, consider this:

1. DK. You know you have a DK in group - you see someone standing close to a boss, breathing fire every now and then, dropping standard, applying that ST dot (embers? looks like 3 fire or poison stripes), waving the lash made of fire. Awesome!
2. Sorc. You know you have a sorc in group. You see the lightnings flashing, you see the lightning pool on the group, you see someone who looks like he's made of lightnings, you see the synergy pop up at least (they have that liquid lightning thing in rotation, so they always provide synergy to the group + minor vulnerability from all the lightning damage). Sometimes you see a piece of rock flying towards the boss and hitting it with a sound that makes you think that was a hard hit. You see their spammable - force pulse. Awesome!
3. Templar. You know you have a templar in a group - you always get a synergy again. You see someone waving a spear made of light next to the boss, you see a spear(shard) of light falling from the sky and standing there (and giving synergy), you see a beam of light melting enemies when their hp is lower. Awesome!
4. NB - what do you see? You don't really see twisting path, it's covered completely by LL and shard and orbs and all kinds of visuals. You don't really see CG, it's just not flashy. You don't see Strife and you don't really hear it other - the sounds is too soft. You do hear Impale in the end of the fight and sometimes you hear AW and see that bow (the arrow itself is not very noticeable) , but that's about it. No synergy, no cool-looking visuals that make people know there's a NB in group. Sap Essence used to help somewhat, but in the current meta it's not really used - just can't afford spamming AOE for too long + no one got time to change bars before the boss and it only really worked and was used on trash mobs before anyway.

In my opinion, that's where it should start. People should know there's a NB with them. They should see NB doing some cool stuff. People who play NB should feel like they are doing something cool that others don't do.

Avran_Sylt wrote: »

@Artis

I agree that they are usually unnoticeable. but part of me likes that, it fits with the night theme. dark, assassin, not very noticeable. So, rather than flashy abilities, how would you make the NB pop more from the group?

Lots of people have been suggesting situational damage based on where the NB is attacking from (the back), so in raids having NB's in your group would mean you've got some other players positioned differently, or the entire group ball is positioned in a different area now since there's a few nightblades there.

This of course making NB's more cancerous in PvP ganking.

LiquidPony wrote: »

... isn't that what they already do?

A big reason that Nightblades have high DPS (some of the best single-target in this patch, actually) is because Killer's Blade/Impale are extremely powerful.