Quote Originally Posted by NymeriaVelaris View Post
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I don't think that TBN is "designed" as a break-even skill; its value is dependent on several external variables (SE potency, BS potency, DA potency), which is why its value fluctuates with every minor patch. Even when it "breaks-even" on average, there are some multiples of TBN usage which will be a net gain, and others which will be a net loss. If you somehow plan for all this and make it just about break-even out of Grit, then it ends up being a dps gain in Grit.

The present system is a lot more convoluted.

It's also worth pointing out that situational dps gains are new to DRK. Sole Survivor usage is very encounter-specific. Some fights have fairly regular add spawns. Others reward your creativity for throwing out SoSu on destructible objects, like giant swords and rocks. Some fights may never have anything that you can use the ability on. None of this has an earth-shattering effect on your dps; they're just a small reward for players who know how to use them. That's usually the draw of DRK over playing a simpler tank.

Having TBN commit to being a consistent gain would promote its use. You are not a White Mage. TBN is not a poor man's Divine Benison. This is a shield which triggers a counterattack. It would be nice to actively try to get procs off of your teammates, rather than feel like you need to hold off shielding because it's a dps loss and you no longer need the extra buffer outside of prog.

There are two ways of doing this. Either give Bloodspiller MP gain (i.e. one Syphon Strike's worth) so that it's not such a marginal gain over Syphon Strike and Souleater, or have TBN also apply a DA effect to your next Bloodspiller/Quietus when it breaks. The balance has to swing so that your blood moves feel more powerful, in order for this to happen.