Hardened Ward, Dampen Magic and Bastion are now completely useless, because a Magicka Char will generally have enough Magicka to get Empowered Ward and Harness Magicka to the 40% Max Health Cap. So Hardened Ward and Dampen Magic will no longer grant the morph bonus of a stronger shield, it will just be a Morph that gives nothing.
Hardened Ward, Dampen Magic and Bastion should not increase the shield strenght but the Health based cap, make it +20% for Hardened Ward, +25% for Bastion, and Dampen Magic should increase the cap by 3% for each piece of light armor worn. BUT... looking at the Shattering Blows, Bastion should be a counterpoint! Not just Bastion, but Hardened Ward and Dampen Magic as well.
- Shattering Blows: Increases your damage against targets with a damage shield by [0-25]%.
What is the real counterpoint to Shattering Blows? Yes, something like Protection (Minor/Major Protection) buff! So... This should be the new Bastion effect: Reduces damage taken while using a damage shield ability by [0-25]%.
Hardened Ward, Dampen Magic and Bastion need a rework! After Patch 4.2.2, Empowered Ward and Harness Magicka are the only morph choices. Something needs to be done before Patch 4.2.5 (when go live)!
My sugestion!
- Bastion: Reduces damage taken while using a damage shield ability by [0-25]%.
- Hardened Ward (new morph effect): You gain Minor Protection (while the damage shield is active), reducing your damage taken by 8%.
- Dampen Magic (new bonus effect): Reduces damage taken while the damage shield is active by 1% for each piece of Light Armor worn (totaling 7% with 7 pieces).
Agree?