PVP Monk: Earth's Reply

[SKDLaeys]

PVP has been really fun for me! I really enjoyed the zerg fest of the Frontlines and the idea of being part of something bigger.

One thing I would like to suggest is a change to Monk's Riddle of Earth. Currently, there is a window of 8 seconds to use Earth's Reply. As a new PVP enjoyer, I would typically forget that this thing exist and would fail to press Earth's Reply within the window. Failing to use Earth's Reply would result in zero benefits from the ability.

In comparison to DRG's Horrid Roar (an ability that does instant damage and 50% damage reduc), the MNK's equivalent is not very good (see sidenote).

Suggestion: If possible, I would suggest automatically proccing Earth's Reply at the end of the duration to bridge the skill gap between skilled and newer Monk PVP players. This can be balanced by having a shorter duration (ie., from 8 to 5 seconds) or lower heal/damage potency.

(Side note: although, I appreciate that MNK's Thunderclap ability has a protection bubble when used against an enemy target - I don't believe Thunderclap is equivalent to Horrid Roar, nor DRG's far more superior ability Elusive Jump which literally takes you out of the engagement without needing a friendly target to escape).

[Roguewaves]

I agree Earth's Reply should auto proc at the end of the 8 seconds if not pressed. I don't think that warrants nerf'ing the skill though.

[SKDLaeys]

I agree Earth's Reply should auto proc at the end of the 8 seconds if not pressed. I don't think that warrants nerf'ing the skill though.

That's true. Just being mindful of balancing that's all.

Another alternative suggestion to Earth Reply mechanic is creating a DMG and heal potency cap to Earth's Reply, so the ability would automatically proc upon reaching the cap.

In this scenario, there would be three ways to activate Earth's Reply: 1) upon player input; 2) at full duration; 3) upon reaching damage/heal cap of the ability. Which ever comes first.

[Vatom]

Holy crumbles a good pvp thread I agrees with this post (no sarcasm)

[Valence]

What if you get stunned and RoF ends? Does it autoproc too in your scenario?

[SKDLaeys]

What if you get stunned and RoF ends? Does it autoproc too in your scenario?

Thanks for your question. Yes, in this case - it would autoproc even if you're stunned. The only time it would not autoproc is if the MNK player died (which would be considered dispelled).

[Post]

I'm not too sure I'd agree with it auto proccing, but especially I don't know about it automatically firing off when they're stunned or otherwise disabled.

While I understand the desire to make PvP more approachable in general for newer players, I think Riddle of Earth is incredibly powerful and one of the major ways to counter-play against it is the fact that you can crowd control a MNK that's being greedy with its duration while focused. I compare it more closely to people using crowd control on a DRK whose Living Dead is ending, or to prevent a SAM from capitalizing on Chiten procs than Horrid Roar.

Like those jobs, the MNK can now make use of the new Purify buff to avoid that scenario if it's warranted (other than vs WHM or DNC crowd control, but both of those are kind of central to those jobs and should be tracked).

[Valence]

Thanks for your question. Yes, in this case - it would autoproc even if you're stunned. The only time it would not autoproc is if the MNK player died (which would be considered dispelled).

Then: what the post just above me said.

[AnnRam]

Instead let MNK to keep Phantom Rush and not lose it because you are out of range or unable to engage/feed. Its already hard to do anything as a MNK because you get swarmed usually by DRKs.

[SKDLaeys]

I'm not too sure I'd agree with it auto proccing, but especially I don't know about it automatically firing off when they're stunned or otherwise disabled.

While I understand the desire to make PvP more approachable in general for newer players, I think Riddle of Earth is incredibly powerful and one of the major ways to counter-play against it is the fact that you can crowd control a MNK that's being greedy with its duration while focused. I compare it more closely to people using crowd control on a DRK whose Living Dead is ending, or to prevent a SAM from capitalizing on Chiten procs than Horrid Roar.

Like those jobs, the MNK can now make use of the new Purify buff to avoid that scenario if it's warranted (other than vs WHM or DNC crowd control, but both of those are kind of central to those jobs and should be tracked).

Thanks for your message. I appreciate your thoughtful response.

ROE is super powerful, I agree. Currently, ROE:

Deals physical damage to all nearby enemies within a 5Y radius and restores your HP.
Damage Potency: 2,000 plus 25% of compiled damage
Cure Potency: 4,000 plus 50% of compiled damage
Can only be executed while under the effect of Earth Resonance.

If we incorporate auto-proc without any form of balance change, an unfair scenario can occur. For example: a MNK (with a pocket healer), could walk in the middle of a Frontline engagement, act as a sponge through ROE, then deal a ton of damage with Earth's Reply at the end of the 8 second. So yes, in this case, ROE would be very imbalanced.

As mentioned in my second post, a ROE rework could incorporate a cap on damage and cure potency to account for an autoproc mechanic. Similar to how SCH's Excog work, Excog's heal would auto-proc upon reaching a specific condition (in this case, when the target HP reaches 50%). DRK's Blackest Night has a similar mechanic where the Dark Arts resource is accrued upon reaching a specific condition, ie., once the bubble "pops".

A ROE rework can introduce a similar mechanic to Earth's Reply, where the ability auto procs upon reaching specific conditions: 1) once ROE absorbed the max damage it's allowed to absorb, 2) or once the duration is finished, 3) or upon player input. The damage/cure potency of Earth's Reply can be adjusted to whatever make sense (ie., 4000DMG if the ability fully absorbs the max damage, or proportion of DMG absorbed between min-max DMG or 2,000 DMG if no one hits the MNK throughout the entire duration). The duration can also be adjusted for balance. Whatever works.

The point is this: currently - Riddle of Earth only provides its intended benefit if it receives input from the player. However, skills like DRG's Horrid Roar and SAM's Chitten provides immediate benefit for the player - where as ROE do not. My intent is to offer an idea of a redesigned ROE that aligns the ability closely with other jobs, while bridging the gaps between skilled and newer players.