Currently every character class in D4 uses Evade, which is like a side-step to get out of something like a Molten Explosion or a heavy hit. It also causes the character to recover from that move for ~0.5 seconds before another ability or another Evade can be used.
I don’t know how similar this is to the console version of D3, but I wanna get at something else.
What if each character class had its own unique Evasion Ability?
For example:
a Barbarian could have something like a Tackle that maybe even knockbacks enemies (or maybe this knockback could be gained by spending points into a passive skill)
a Sorcerers could have Blink, which is like a short ranged Teleport (there still would be the long ranged Teleport from your active skills)
a Druid could have Lunge, which transform him into a beast, like a werewolf who lunges a few yards
Now just to have some fun with this, here are some ideas for Evasion Abilities for some theoretical character classes:
A Ranger could have either a mini-vault, a dodge-roll or a short term sprinting ability
A Paladin/Crusader could have something of a twist on the idea of an Evasion Ability, like a Defender Stance, where he holds his shield in front of him and takes xx% less damage, but he can’t attack
A summoner like a Necromancer could maybe get an Evasion Ability where he briefly turns into a ghost so he takes no damage and also can movie through enemies, but also can’t attack.
etc…
I think that would be cool if every class had its own Evasion Ability, because it would give each class more flavor.
What do you think? Other ideas for class specific Evasion Abilities?
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And here is a small Bonus Idea: what if there would be a separate resource that is only used by your Evasion Ability? That way you could not use it all the time, but then we could also get rid of the “recovery-time” or interrupt that you have to take from the Evasion in the current version of D4.
That should definitely be the case. I thought Wolcen had a perfectly fine dodge roll system, which a separate resource that had plenty of interaction with the passive skill system.
Not so sure about class specific dodges. It is a lot of balance work. If they are not equally good, it could really mess up class balance.
But for ‘class fantasy’ it would be a good thing for sure.
It would be the “right” way to improve mobility and combat.
Dodge should be used to avoid CCs and powerful spells or just get away from a horde before you get caught.
But what we’d seen so far is that they’re obsessed with the idea of CC cancelation, with the demo we know that the major utility of roll atm is leave CC areas after they hit you, so I can’t imagine why they would spend resource to improve that.
I would like to see some complex dashes too, like a barbarian dashing to get inside some horde applying some debuff or frenzy stacks , a Wizard dashing almost instantly to get away from trouble, etc.
I’ll support until the end the idea of mechanics that rewards good players over some new player that just read some tutorials, but Blizzard wants a “CC cleanse utility”, so lets hope for a funny feature.
I think D4 Evade is a nice thing they added, I like it. Animation is very good (while D3 console roll is a stupid piece of sht). I’d add a sidestep as well, like in shooter games. Making this ability visually different like it is in D3 (I mean sorc’ tele or WD spirit walk, barb’s leap, etc) - well, don’t know. Doesn’t really matter.
I actually thought of something else but kinda didn’t write before. Since this is the appropriate topic would gladly reply with the thought I’ve had from before
First and foremost
[As mentioned before] Melee classes/buildss die when CC-ed or interrupted on self-sustain attacks
[Whilest] Ranged classes/builds die due to being surrounded at times where DPS simply can’t “cut through”
That made me think that maybe it would’ve been better for the Sorc to have some sort of a knockback ability (i.e. prevent being surrounded) instead of the Dodge. i.e. eliminates the weakness of the class. The barb would be perfectly fine with the dodge since s/he lacks the mobility, but the Sorc has the mobility and dodge would just be an overkill but needs the knockback/repel-surrounds ability to survive somewhat
Then I thought the following, why don’t give us some number (say 3-4) abilities we can assign to that “dodge” mechanic, and we choose which one we could use
Candidates:
Dodge (current, regular version, have the tendency to believe fits melee classes/builds more but has some usage for ranged also)
Leaping blow (jump straight up high in air and land knocking back close i.e. melee attackers) [Sorc can have “Wave of force” animation whilest the Druid can temporarily transform mid-air into a werebear]
Roll (roll on the ground). Similar to dodge, but takes extra damage from melee attackers in the process whilest arrows/projectiles miss. In addition - can roll between/through mobs
Weapon-throw (throw your weapon at the nearest mob greatly knocking it back and it’s nearby attackers providing you the space to get out of trouble. Bows shoot an elemental arrow but drain your ability to attack further for a few sec)
Reflect (walk slower as you reflect all the projectile attacks back from the direction they came from for a couple of sec). Could have a small-er bubble to sort of absorb a few melee attacks also
THAT WAY your “free escape” mechanic/ability won’t get paired with mobility all the time. Some classes/builds might need the mobility (sure), but some other would rather assign some sort of peel or time-buy mechanic on it’s spot
Overall ? - assigning extra mobility to an already mobile class/build isn’t the best move for such a mechanic IMO
Yes, if it has to be mechanically be the same for balance reasons, I can see the point. But still, from a fantasy perspective it makes total sense to have every class have their own evasion ability.
They could even bring back Stamina from D2 for that and it actually would have a purpose, as long as the Stamina resource is fairly limited and only regenerates slowly, so you could not use it all the time.
And if they implement a separate resource for it, they even could get rid of the annoying “recovery time” that is currently in the game your character takes after having used the dodge.
This was one of the train of thought I had when I thought about what the right Evasion Ability for a Ranger class. I thought Spring fits thematically and also fits into the idea of a Ranger not wanting to get stuck in the first place.
That is also an interesting idea.
Eventually there can be some overlap between the classes.
Not sure about a leaping Sorc or a Barb that reflects missiles, but otherwise interesting concept.
But non of the classes are mobile by default. You have to choose a mobility skill first before you become mobile.
And mobility skills in D4 probably should not be as OP as some of the Mobility Skills in D3.
This idea certainly has merit. Maybe in a more basic form the dodge mechanic could be for the three combat archetypes - melee / Caster / Ranged. Three is less work for the developers…
I certainly value the fantasy aspect. Unfortunately, I don’t expect blizzard to actually balance each of the classes dodges properly (especially when they have intentions of adding more classes post-game launch via expansions and/or dlcs). Hence why I’d prefer it for the dodges act visually different for each class, but not mechanically.
