I had the initial though that the Festering Scythe mechanic would work well for frost.
Have Obliterate change into Frost Scythe like Festering Strike does into Festering Scythe but based off of consuming Killing machine or Rime procs rather than wounds.
This idea then became what If blood also had a Scythe ability that changed Heart Strike into a Scythe after consuming a number of Crimson Scourge Procs.
It then further developed into this common Scythe mechanic being an idea of how to replace Cleaving Strikes as it can fulfill the same function of being a common AoE mechanic but has significantly less friction.
3 Likes
I lobbied for a similar idea a while back, it’s funny how people come to similar conclusions when thinking about the class.
Scythes are thematic for DKs and can look pretty cool with the proper animation. These can be pretty exciting buttons that the player looks forward to using. Frostscythe and Exterminate are examples of this; Festering Scythe is the counterpoint with it’s currently lacking form & function.
I also agree that scythes should contribute to the DK’s ability to cleave, across all 3 specs. But they should also have a place in single target, with less frequency. Again, these are cool abilities and buttons that we want to press in all forms of content.
Almost anything is better than cleaving strikes and if it comes down to it, I’d be okay with these replacing DnD to activate cleaving strikes. However, I’d much rather see cleaving strikes disappear and for each spec return to its traditional method of cleaving.
I think there is enough design space in each spec for them to trigger their scythes differently and vary in whether it replaces an ability or is its own button. Replacing a spammy button like Heart Strike may detract from the cool factor.
3 Likes
Yes.
Maybe keep it as part of Festering Scythe in my above idea because AoE wound bursting is a core mechanic of UH at this point. For frost though its just corrosive.
I considered that. By having it attached to Crimson scourge you’ll always know when you get it. It’s one shinny button into the next. Where as cleaving strikes for blood is almost completely ignored atm due to wanting D&D to be under you for the haste and damage mitigation.