With the recent addition of Race Against Time a lot of options are now available as we are no longer required to run 2H on all stamina builds for snare immunity. Removing this requirement allows more build options when it comes to choosing our weapon skill lines IE. SnB/DW, SnB/Bow, DW/Bow, DW/Resto etc.
Unfortunately some classes are still pigeon holed into specific Skill lines due to limited access to Major Brutality.
Class sources
Nightblade > Drain Power > Major Brutality 20 seconds/2754 Stamina. Requires hitting a target with a melee range AOE ability.
Sorcerer > Surge > Major Brutaility 33 seconds/4051 Magicka. Instant Cast Buff.
Dragonknight > Igneous Weapons > Major Brutality 30 seconds/4320 Magicka. Instant Cast Buff.
Warden > Bull Netch >Major Brutality 24 seconds/FREE, Instant Cast Buff.
Templar > None
Weapon sources
Two-Handed > Momentum > Major Brutality 33 seconds. Instant Cast Buff.
Dual-Wield > Hidden Blade > Major Brutality 20 seconds. Requires attacking an enemy.
A few things stand out to me. Specifically Nightblade, Templar, and Dragonknight.
Nightblade and Drain Power is an 8m AOE. The skill is not really viable for serious play. The damage is poor and you cannot precast for the buff.
Dragonknight and Igneous weapons the ability is expensive and although it buffs allies and gets an increased duration the casting cost is extremely high in comparison.
Templar simply has no source of Major Brutality.
All classes need to have reliable access to this buff. With some skills being conditional to combat and another being resource restrictive these classes are simply not afforded the same options for new and unique builds.Simply running Major Brutality pots put you at a disadvantage against other classes that are allowed to run more effective pots. I believe all classes need access to an Instant Cast version of Major Brutality that is not conditional to a weapon skill line, attacking an enemy, or resource restrictive. This is one of the many discrepancies concerning major buff access and the quality of the skills they are linked too.
Edited by Nicalas on April 24, 2019 11:33AM