Update Bard's Repelling Shot (Backward Gap Closer)

[Marooned_Pilot]

While I could've made this post about removing Repelling Shot it perhaps has it's uses in PvP but as game is predominately PvE content - I believe this skill needs to be updated into something else as it's nothing more than relic of the past prior to Shadowbringer no one can typically use.

With the way devs are going with current arenas with death walls or drops on all sides from trials to higher content where exactly are you going to be 10 yalms to Kanas - backwards at that? Outside maybe something like dungeons this skill needs something more.

Any thoughts community?

[Valence]

I use it in some raids just to look fancy and lie to myself about its usefulness.

[Raikai]

It could be improved by being made just a leap that didn't require a target. Honestly, what's even the point of having one if no longer does damage?

[keeper_of_moon]

It could be improved by being made just a leap that didn't require a target. Honestly, what's even the point of having one if no longer does damage?

It still doing damage would be a worse situation. Anyone remember when displacement was more potency than engagement? E12S remembers.

[Rongway]

With the way devs are going with current arenas with death walls or drops on all sides from trials to higher content where exactly are you going to be 10 yalms to Kanas - backwards at that?

Your 10ya backstep is safer to use in arenas with deathwalls than RDM, RPR, and DRG's backsteps which are 15y.

[Raikai]

It still doing damage would be a worse situation. Anyone remember when displacement was more potency than engagement? E12S remembers.

I know, I'm just saying that since it no longer does damage (thankfully) why does it even requires a target in near-melee range of all things. Unbound leap could see way more applications.

[Valence]

Yeah and they dumbed down holmgang every expansion by removing the need for targets, increasing its duration, etc etc. All in the name of convenience. I'm not that fond of the slow deletion of skill identities like that tbh. They could give damage back to it actually, and force the bard to deal with some encounter constraints, perhaps. But they won't.

Imagine if they kept point blank on MCH instead of deleting it, and made it mandatory to trigger WF instead of detonator for example? idk. I find that kind of stuff flavorful.

[Shurrikhan]

It still doing damage would be a worse situation. Anyone remember when displacement was more potency than engagement? E12S remembers.

Tbh, I'd rather have kept a faint potency advantage (e.g., 10 potency) on Displacement but also introduced path-snapping (distances can decrease by up to a third their length if their trajectory would otherwise cross a non-pathable barrier). Yes, there's some added safety in other parts, but still plenty of reason to use Engagement for certain mechanics.

It could be improved by being made just a leap that didn't require a target. Honestly, what's even the point of having one if no longer does damage?

Could pull a Vindictus and have Apex Arrow / Burst Shot apply a (conditional? only when pressing S?) backstep from the force of the shot (fantasy physics are flexible)... or just replace the skill with, say, a Rappel (pull to certain area a la Shukuchi, then can once more to that same point within 10s, with the first charge not being consumed on initial activation if placed within 5 yalms, allowing for 2 banked uses).

I'm honestly pretty indifferent though, so long as it doesn't directly copy anything else.

[mallleable]

Repelling Shot is Fine™

I have found uses for it in this tier even if it isn't completely necessary. It's inoffensive in its current state imo.

If BRD had the 'deal more damage from range' mechanic like it does in pvp then Repelling Shot would have a lot more synergy. But I'm not sure if they would bring that mechanic into pve with how strict positioning has to be for most mechanics in high end content. it also seems they want BLM to be the only job in the entire game to benefit from clever positioning.

Another change they could make to it is add a movement speed buff for yourself when you use it -- like as fast as Peloton.

I think movement skills in this game are in a weird spot. They either exist without caveats, but are inconsequential if they are used or not. Or they do have consequences like having damage tied to them, and are used almost exclusively for damage.

I wish movement skills, and movement based attacks weren't in such an awkward place because I think they are cool, and should have a place in the game. I'm just not sure what can be done about them.

[vetch]

Update it into the garbage, it's button bloat. BRD already has infinite free movement.