Should say "Pirate Skeleton is still over performing is specific builds".
Please list the builds that make this set over perform.
I ask this becasue I have been testing with this set since they changed it and with DPS PVP at least in the style I am using it I did notice a difference in survive-ability. I am not playing a Sorc or a perma-blocking build.
Also I think if you nerf a set item so no build (even obscure ones,(Not stating Perma and shield stacking are obscure)) can over perform with the particular set, then no one would use it and BP would be another set no one uses.
The changes to BP IMO opinion being that I used it before and after the change are that the set does not afford me near the survive-ability as it did prior. Again I am not shield-stacking or perma-blocking.
Perma-blocking is its own issue for good or bad
Shield-stacking is its own issue for good or bad
We can have a discussion on these types of play styles in another thread. Good, bad, indifferent.
If we did not have either of the above builds in Cyro would this set in your opinion still be over performing?
Pirate Skeleton
Edit:
Actually, thinking further about this, a debuff that reduced damage shields cast on the user by 15% for the duration of the proc would probably be the best solution. Then it also doesn't effect other potential users twice, like magicka NBs. Don't know how I didn't think of that earlier.
I don't think its drawbacks are fully circumvented.
When something hits your sorc flesh, you're already close to dying. Used to be, that you had this proc up nearly constantly, even BEFORE your naked HP got hit. Much safer than the risky, probably not proccing, execute-defender we have now.
Well, I used it pre-"nerf" and wasn't sure whether the change would help me or hurt me, because before a competent opponent could time their burst right after the proc and I sometimes died fighting several enemies when shields went down while the set was on cooldown, just by chance. Now it procs more reliably when I get hit with shields down - I just have to survive the initial burst, which is why the set is little good to bad Sorcs who fervently try to keep their shields up as if their life depended on it (well... maybe it does ).
I mean, it's not like I want to have Minor Defile on me; I just don't care. Defile only becomes dangerous for me with a build focused on it, that can have you kinda stuck on low hp for a while. But do you remember when Battle Spirit affected shields less than heals? I mean, that was kind of silly, and it was changed to equal debuffs on both later.