Note this is in Try Mode without minions, this is just an ideal scenario for this type of strategy to be deployed in. I’m not particularly sure about this change as I have yet to test it.
Time to abuse this build and get random kills late game.
1 Like
I’ve wanted changes to Locust that rewarded Abathur for putting himself in riskier positions and made Locusts worth paying attention to, but I"m not sure this is it.
They nerfed Bombard strain range because they were taking towers down for free. It was already a bit difficult to deal with Abathur’s infinite mobility later game, but how does it affect the earlier game I wonder.
The main weakness to Locust build was that its power came late into the game whereas other builds that helped his team directly came online faster.
3 Likes
Backdooring keeps even easier, cool…
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That’s why I suggest an early game talent tier that decides the role of the Locust.
Something like:
Suppressor Locust have drastically increased health, decreased movement speed, increased duration, inflict a slow, and prioritize heroes.
Assault Locust have decreased duration, increased spawn rate, increased movement speed and have the cleave attack they had before, prioritizing minions.
Then Bombard strain which would have a ranged single target attack rather than the aoe it has.
Shift things around so the talents all come at level 1 or 4.
Then consolidate Locust Brood and Locust Nest, so it is less of a Locust build, and just a decision to pick this one talent or not.
Probably consolidate Nest talents into a single talent, because there shouldn’t be a Nest build, it’s dumb.
2 Likes
I played a couple games with this tonight. The problem is it only applies to buildings, not minions, so you rarely get the value you see in that video. Late game it is incredibly powerful, but it takes a long time to get going.
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I dont think it is necessary. Locust build will be viable on bigger maps with weaker rotation and single objectives that take a while to cap (CH). And it will cause drama.
700 hp and 110 damage at lvl 1 is nothing to sneeze at, especially when used by global hero. As long as you depush on the other side of map, its fine, but Aba can just Z to another lane or Q his teammate while they do objective against 4 enemies. Try to leave the lane against that.
I can sense imminent drama.
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Shhh, don’t tell the masses. PepeLaugh
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So many abathur portraids almost like your having a conversation with yourself
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I noticed that too. Now if you wish to join our society, convert your avatar to ONE OF US!
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Locust build is a thing. Prepare for nerfs a month from now.
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I’m honestly more worried about the changes to envenomed nests actually…
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When you go locust build, symbiote becomes nearly useless other than soaking another lane. So there is a trade off. Before this change locust build was never used because of the exp globe.
Its tempting but I rather stay with my safe angel of death
no
Without the talents, your hat doesnt do mucb really. The attack speed, healing, movement speed, slow…
Besides if you go locust build, the effective way of playing is to pressure the enemy team with strong pushes. So if your team sucks and goes in 4v5 right away instead waiting for your pressure, it suxxxx
I think 50% buff is needed not only for structure but also for minions
I’m happy for Aba players. I don’t really play him anymore since the exp changes, but I’m glad locust build is viable again. Locust is such a staple of his identity that it deserves to be strong.
Now off topic but can you aba players support us Probius players and help get that tower defense change reverted. We both play wacky, nontraditional heroes. We should be having each others backs.
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Locusts were viable depending on enemy comp.
Now they’re a bit better overall.
Nothing fundamental, there isn’t a scenario where locusts went from being “bad” to “good”.
Just bad to less bad, and good to better.
it isn’t, well, not until locust brood. it might make locust brood a viable tech option that you just take late game, instead of having to go locust build for it to be viable.
it was already viable, or rather, this change doesn’t make it viable in any situations where it wasn’t previously viable.
It just makes it better where it was viable.
1 Like
Well, after testing and seeing other people play it/share their experiences, I expect a nerf to it.
Basically if you get to level 16 aba just kills everything with locust build. And he can even pick whatever at 4/7/10/20. Post 16, if you have no global hero, by the time you heart and go defend your keep it is already 50% gone or even more. And that is when you have basically an instant reaction D:
But of course I’m going to abuse this everywhere for easy wins 
3 Likes