Feel free to move this topic once the update hype is over. *It's 5:30am and I'm very tired *
Here's some basic testing on the new WSs. Any more info on Skillchain openers/closers, or any Damage increase modifiers are welcome. Speculations too, if you keep on the subject at hand. :D
Valoredge Frame (Level 75, 5/5 Melee Merits, full Melee/Acc setup):
As stated before, the new WS "Bone Crusher" is indeed a three-fold attack using both the sword and shield of Valor's frame to perform. Here's some test I ran:
No Maneuvers: Default Bone Crusher (will replace Chimera Ripper and String Clipper, woo!), roughly did 469~500 DMG on Colibri outside Al Zhabi.
Earth: Forced Chimera Ripper
Fire: Forced Chimera Ripper
Lightning: Forced String Clipper
Light: Forced Bone Crusher
Darkness: Forced Cannibal Blade
This is a great upgrade from the pansy, low level WSs, but maybe Hammermill or Earth-based items can increase it's damage? As always, Darkness forces Cannibal Blade, in case you need to top up your automaton's HP.
Sharpshot Frame (Level 75, 0 Ranged Merits, full Melee/RAcc setup including Target Marker):
Sharpshot's new "Armour Piercer" is nothing to lol about this time round.
No Maneuvers: Default Armour Piercer (will replace Arcuballista only if enemy is weak to piercing?), roughly did 1469~1600 DMG on Colibri outside Al Zhabi.
Wind: Forced Armour Piercer
Fire: Forced Arcuballista (;________
Lightning: Forced Daze
Light: Forced Armour Piercer
Darkness: Forced Armour Piercer
Wow. This new WS is incredible. The damage, the animation, the screeching sound effect, it's all there. And luckily, some useful maneuvers help force it such as Wind. You'll need this up anyway for a small increase in RAcc, and for Replicator since the automaton miiight pull hate with this one. Lightning forces Daze, as always.
Stormwaker/Soulsoother Frame (Level 75, 5/5 Magic Merits, 5/5 Melee Merits, Melee/Curing solo setup including Target Marker):
The Harlequin/Stormwaker frame has been decked out with the very situational, confusing, patient, but most of all, incredibly powerful WS of them all.
No Maneuvers: Default Magic Mortar (will replace Knockout), Did 0 damage on Colibri outside Al Zhabi. full HP.
Ice: Forced Magic Mortar
Wind: Forced Knockout
Fire: Forced Slapstick
Lightning: Forced Slapstick
Water: Forced Magic Mortar
Light: Forced Magic Mortar
Darkness: Forced Magic Mortar
Unfortunately, it replaces Knockout as the default WS, so if you solo or use Soulsoother in a party, your automaton will NEVER have low HP unless it runs out of MP or you stick a melee head on it.
- Notes courtesy of Lotan: Even if Mortar hits for 0, if the master uses Dragon Kick after it, you can successfully make a Light Skillchain. Tested and proved true. The extra damage seems to just a little bit better than a solo Howling Fist or Raging Fists, and you get to see the many disco balls while soloing.
- Thanks to Kurri, Magic Morter is also forced by Water.
- Additional tests show with the aid of Role Reversal, Flame Holder and Inhibitor, 300%TP and 3x Fire Maneuvers at low HP (<4%) will cause incredible unresisted damage that is sometimes mostly mirrored in a Light Skillchain. Could this be true? Read on...
- Note: March 25th's Update nerfed this "incredible" damage to "pants-on-head retarded sub-par" damage at low HP. Thank you, SE. (Tests courtesy of Mioko)
Hope this helps clean up a few questions. No new attachments this update, but let's hope they keep bringing us some nice surprises.