Balancing classes are always tricky but it was an inevitable process with the latest cap raise to hit TERA. Some of the issues faced were that the ranged classes were kicked to the side with the newest instances while some classes became too powerful in the PvP scene. And of course the long discussed issue of Mystics being under par when it came to top tier instance support leaving a lot of players shining the dungeon floor.
The class balance patch is slated to hit KTERA servers on September 18.
If there are skill names that you are unfamiliar with check this post out for the new skills introduced with the level 65 patch.
Warrior
- Defense Stance III: Increased threat generation from 65 to 75%
- Defense Stance IV: Increased threat generation from 75 to 85%
- Scythe
- Changed to 1 hit instead of 3
- Can be cast faster after the following skills: Rain of Blows, Blade Draw, and Evasive Roll
- Increased chance to KD when used on monsters
Unfortunately in this round of class balancing the “Infuriate” skill that was desired by a lot of Defensive Stance Warriors could not be added in. But we will continue to examine the feedback received to allow Warrior tanks to smoothly fulfil their roles.
There weren’t any glaring issues with the Assault Stance Warriors but players did feel that on top of their reduced defense, they felt their DPS was lacking. Therefore we’ve combined the 3-hit Scythe into 1 and further added skills that would chain into the skill for faster action.
Lancer
- Rallying Cry: Reduced buff duration from 8 to 7 seconds
- Shield Counter: Increased threat generation by 20%
The latest update left Lancers lacking in threat generation when put against the DPS so we’ve increased the threat generated by Shield Counter.
On the other hand the buff duration for Rallying Cry has been reduced slightly.
Slayer
- Slightly reduced PvP damage and defense
- In Cold Blood I: Added 6% attack speed to the buff effect
- In Cold Blood I, II: Removed attack increase against players
Due to the combo play produced through the new skill, Jaw Breaker, as well as survivability through their new Evasive Roll the class was now considered over powered in the PvP scene. Therefore, unfortunate as it is, Slayers will be receiving a slight nerf in that area.
Berserker
- Leaping Strike: Animation lock can now be cancelled through blocking
Many are unsatisfied by its supposed use as a movement skill and while many will still not agree, we’ve allowed block cancellation to get out of the animation lock.
There are still some issue of its range differing between races making it harder to land. This will be addressed at a later time while taking into consideration other priorities as well.
Sorcerer
- Arcane Explosion: Duration channelling players can now cancel with Backstep
- Fireblast: Increased attack power by 25%
- Ice Needle: Increased attack power by 20%
- Mana Siphon: Increased MP regen by 60%
- Removed Glyph of Powerlink from Lightning Trap to Fireblast
- Glyph set-up will be reset due to this change and players will need to re-apply their glyphs
- Players will no longer be able to acquire the glyph
A lot of debate had taken place whether to remove the glyph or not for Lightning Trap. We felt that while it was a staple for many veteran Sorcerers it was also a tall obstacle for the newer Sorcerers therefore we have decided to remove the link to allow for a smoother gameplay.
Furthermore there were issues with players being stuck in channelling Arcane Explosion during boss fights so we’ve added the ability to cancel the charge with a Backstep.
Lastly because players felt the MP to damage ratio was off we’ve adjusted this by increasing the attack power for both Fireblast and Ice Needle while also increasing the MP regen of Mana Siphon.
Archer
- Penetrating Arrow: Penetrating Arrow XII has been added for level 65
- Players can learn the upgraded skill at the skill trainers
- Radiant Arrow: Increased attack power by 10%
- HP consumed during overcharge for Penetrating Arrow and Radiant Arrow has been reduced by half
- Rapid Fire: Increased attack power by 50% and MP regen by 300%
- Slightly reduced PvP attack power
- Removed player damage increase from Eagle’s Eye and Sniper’s Eye
- Backstep: Cooldown has been reduced from 7 to 6 seconds
- Breakaway Bolt: Cooldown has been reduced from 20 to 10 seconds
To address the issue with Archers dragging behind in terms of their PvE contribution to parties we’ve added an upgrade for Penetrating Arrow while increasing the power for Radiant Arrow.
Of course this raises the issue of them becoming overpowered in PvP so their PvP power was reduced to address the issue.
Lastly their inability to escape in general has been addressed by reducing cooldown for their escape skills.
Priest
- Triple Nemesis: Increased debuff duration from 7 to 12 seconds
To ensure the endurance debuff did not run out before the next hit we’ve increased the debuff duration to allow the skill to come off cooldown before needing a refresh.
Mystic
- Volley of Curses
- Increased endurance debuff duration from 12 to 16 seconds
- Player will no longer be in combat when using this skill
- Arun’s Vitae: Increased HP recovered through Glyph of Restoration from 15 to 20%
- Titanic Wrath
- Reduced MP consumption by half
- For your own party (raid), Titanic Wrath III will overwrite Blessing of Shakan II
- Arun’s Cleansing Touch
- Increased passive lock on by 1
- Caster will also be cleansed upon skill use
- Thrall of Life
- Greatly increased KD / stun resistance
- Thrall of Life XIII’s HP has been doubled and movement speed increased from 224 to 240
With the addition of the endurance debuff granted by Volley of Curses, Mystics are busier than ever. To allow them a bit of a breather the debuff duration has been increased and they will no longer enter combat upon use which should help them evade oncoming attacks by staying out of combat.
We’ve also addressed one of the main issues of their ability to cleanse their party (as well as themselves) and we’ve also upped their survivability through changes to their self heal.
Reaper
- Grim Strike: Increased attack power by 10%
- Sundering Strike: Increased the attack power of the second hit by 10%
- Whipsaw: Increased attack power by 60%
- Pendulum Strike: Decreased point cost for Glyph of Energy from 4 to 2
- Death Spiral: Decreased point cost for Glyph of Energy from 4 to 3
They felt lacking in the new content update and thus their skill power was increased while reducing glyph point costs.
Lastly…
Once the above class balance changes go live they will continue to monitor the changes and will adjust accordingly.
And it seems they gave us a sneak peek of what they are working on below. A traditional Korean hanbok inspired set of costumes.
