[Tank Concept] Heavy Machinist [WIP and Art]

[Mysticdraggon]

i would really appreciate some feedback specifically for the concept itself.

i know that a ranged tank is an odd concept, but that is what i feel is great about it in the first place.

Basic design:

the basic design is to obviously make a ranged tank, but only to do minor DPS upon one target or multiple targets with accuracy drop depending on the range of basic attacks. additionally, the tank would have suppression-based abilities that would force back or slow down enemies while the play remains stationary. i would also like it if the class could reduce enemy damage so long as he is attacking said enemies.

[Mysticdraggon]

basic kit:

the job will have three basic abilities: fire, ceasefire, and reload. yes, this class would have ammunition management actions. there would be an ammunition meter, and various types of ammunition. for example, blunt rounds will not be able to pierce armor, but it will force back enemies, normal rounds will do average damage and only slow down targets, and piercing rounds will do maximum damage, but have no other effects: all while the player is stationary.

the job's kit will consist of explosive type attacks as well as various ammunition types via mortar secondary (sentry mode). the job may also draw attention to his mortar, as it would have its own flare ammunition, but only to certain enemies, of course.

[Mysticdraggon]

Conclusion:

overall, i like this design, and i would really appreciate some help. specifically, what else should be added, and what precautions should we make before acknowledging its balance. PVE-focused perspective, please.

[Ametrine]

Firstly, cool art! I think my favorite is the idea of rocket launcher as the off-hand.

Well, if you give the class a Garlean lore edge, you could easily fit a heavy artillery based job in the game with players flocking to it.

While I do like the idea of a tank that's more about hindrance and debuffs, the issue it brings is that a tank that can hinder enemies verses buffing themselves may become too overpowered, or more accurately, over-desired, in group play.

Also, please elaborate on "stationary." As a healer main, the very concept of a tank that functions best without moving, i.e. not able to comfortably dodge AOEs, sounds like a nightmare.

[Sylve]

If anything, give us that dual wielding shield cannon thing from Cape Westwind.
0 - 10y medium range tank. Would make a fantastic add tank while being able to relentlessly pound a boss even when the boss is doing a pbAoE or something that restricts melee interactions.

Would absolutely love your Heavy Machinist Minigun as a ranged Damage Dealer though. Minigun just screams death and destruction more than tank to me.
The concept as you're describing wouldn't make for a good tank, as melee DPS would hate your guts for knocking the mobs back constantly, And I'd imagine some ranged DDs would also take exception to it for ground based AoEs.
Tanks also don't deal well with being stationary, Gotta dance out of pbAoEs, reposition etc etc.
Also, if your knockbacks and slows worked on boss', It'd be the go-to Tank for everything Savage, as you'd be able to go long periods without ever getting hit by auto attacks and interrupt key abilities by knocking away and slowing the boss.

Awesome concept, Wrong role, In my opinion.

[Mysticdraggon]

so a lot of concerns about the stationary system i mentioned. to explain, i thought it would only be fair if the tank only did debuff damage while only stationary; if an enemy is slowed, then it would take forever for enemies to reach a Heavy Machinist.

as for the concerns of the debuffs themselves, specifically moving the target, i was just imagining that without debuff affects like this, a ranged tank would be consistently moving instead, which could be equally as annoying to DPS. however, that is not to say that i cant be cautious, because i would imagine "blunt rounds" being on a fairly long CD than regular default rounds. of course, there is always the option to remove the ability to do so, or change it so that it requires risk taking actions that would not benefit a party.

[Mysticdraggon]

Firstly, cool art! I think my favorite is the idea of rocket launcher as the off-hand.

Well, if you give the class a Garlean lore edge, you could easily fit a heavy artillery based job in the game with players flocking to it.

thanks for the art feedback. even though our journey will eventually lead us to the Garlean empire, i didnt want the origin of this tank to be that theme. rather, i wanted to focus on a Lucis industrial theme.

basically, im imagining the kingdom of Lucis in its industrial age and the regions around it as a western theme.

it sounds interesting enough to explore besides the Garlean empire.

[Inuk9]

Cool art and cool idea, that's kinda remembers me of Vanguard tank class from Swtor. A heavy gunner tank is really cool concept

[ToasterMan]

[armandojc3]

thats more like the Pimp tank bro, with attacks like pimp cup flash and slap-a-hoe stun.