I've recently come from the SPUF for MNC, because there doesn't seem to be as much discussion as there is here, but on to the point. Level 3 charge for Assault is one of the few (probably only) skills you actually have to think about upgrading instead of being able to level it up without downsides on the spot, as you probably already know. My proposition is to make the Charge sensitive to how long you press the key. If you hold it down, you'll grapple, if you tap it, you'll charge right through, or the other way around, whichever makes the most sense. Either that or make it so that Level 3 Charge can actually damage airborne targets like Level 2 Charge.
Agreed on all counts. First of all, it seems like a bug that Lv3's non-grapple damage is so tiny. The tap or hold mechanic has been brought up before, and I think it's a great idea. Simple and intuitive, and makes Lv3 the pure upgrade that it should be. Make it do the same damage as Lv2 charge if the button is not being held or when contacting a target that cannot be grappled (such as airborne pros). If it contacts an entity that can be grappled and the button is still pressed, it does the grapple.
Disagree. If you don't want the grapple, don't upgrade it. Just because there are 4 upgrade categories on your menu doesn't mean they all need to be maxed by the end of the match: select the upgrades that suit your playstyle and avoid the ones that don't. By having minor (and circumstantially detrimental) differences between the skills at higher levels, the game is forcing you to decide whether to spend your money on skill upgrades or defenses/bots which I think promotes a healthy metagame. I play Gunner and I usually only max my passive--I'll typically only add grapple and slam level 3 only if I make gobs of money.
Your choices to not upgrade grapple or slam are fundamentally different from the assault charge upgrade decision. The Lv3 slam and grapple upgrades are clearly upgrades, you're just choosing between the upgrade and the other options in the game. In the assault's case, there's an additional decision on whether the Lv3 upgrade is even desired AT ALL, before it is weighed against the other spending options. Changing it to a straightforward upgrade just puts it in line with every other skill in the game, including the ones you mentioned.
Level 3 is just a fast moving grapple. The bonuses are its a ring out machine and the damage is higher if you don't ring out the target. I think the only thing that needs to be addressed is the paltry damage if you jump and charge in the air. It should atleast do damage on par with level 2 but it doesn't. Its always best to address the core issue before changing gameplay imo.
Agreed that it should do as much damage as level 2 against airborne targets. But otherwise the grapple is fine.
I'm not sure I understand where we disagree then, as I meant to say something similar to the underlined. I'm comparing slam/grapple to charge on the basis that I have more important spending priorities and that the gains (mitigated or no) of my upgrade just aren't worth it compared to other things on which I could spend my money. You don't have to max skills just because you can, and I rather like the idea of those choices encouraging that much more variation in an otherwise (pleasantly) symmetrical game.
He is saying that leveling up to level 3 charge doesn't have to do with spending money, it has to do with the possibility of gimping yourself in certain situations because you upgraded. I'm happy as long as something is done so that you don't actually have to decide to upgrade based on the skill, not money.
I personally wish that the grapple wouldn't affect bots. Nothing like for whatever reason accidentally charging into a Jackbot a metre away from you when trying to escape a surprise attack.
it insta kills bouncers.. dont take that away.. just needs to deal dmg at first hit and grapple, even if they cut both in half. I dislike being grappled out of it by sins..
I get that, I just haven't seen a case yet made to explain why just staying at level 2 and not upgrading isn't a way around that. I know my slams/grapples don't change in functionality from level 2 to level 3, but at the same time the assault doesn't have to upgrade to Tier 3 if the post-charge grapple doesn't suit their playstyle. I understand what's being said, I just don't see why simply leaving it un-upgraded isn't being viewed as a possibility here. You're no worse for wear at level 2 charge if you don't want the grapple, right?
This is a really tough subject. I must agree, I initially liked the idea of having it held for a grapple and not held for a straight charge. But it would almost give the assault, a well balanced class, more power if he could take out a lane full of pros with a single charge or just target one with the grapple. Tech 3 charge is one of the last skills I get as I can generally get better ring outs with the area charge rather than the grapple charge anyways. I would personally prefer it stay an upgrade purchase rather than having it anytime the player wants. It changes the play dynamic of the class. Like, for example, the assassins smoke bomb. If I don't upgrade it, I use it purely for turret supression and never as an escape tactic. If I do upgrade it, I end up using it as an escape tactic and die more times than if I had just lunged away. I've seen other Assassins use it effectively, but like the charge or the quick grapple, it depends on your play style.
