Concerning Predator specializations

#1

I’m interested in knowing if i’m one of very few who thinks that the Predator did NOT need a damage increase. I’m playing on both sides and right now it’s pretty much mandatory for the Fireteam to bring classes and perks that has defensive/survival stats unless you want to be one-shotted by a fully charged plasma caster, smart disc or 2-handed melee weapon.

Instead i would have liked to see more of defensive specializations to allow the Predators to dare to enter close combat more often without getting melted in 3 seconds, even go in with the bow for some close combat quick-shots.
One idea i’ve had since the specializations for Predators was released is a defensive one that has like a proximity effect, the more Fireteam players you have around you the higher the effect it has. I’ll just give an example so you get the idea of it:
If there’s one Fireteam player within X meters of the Predator then the Predator gets a 5% damage reduction buff(which is close to nothing since it’s basically a duel situation, 1vs1). If two Fireteam players are within X meters of the Predator then the Predator gets a 10% damage reduction, and it goes on like this up to 20%(4x Fireteam players who are close).

There are way too few options imo to survive in close combat as a Predator, almost forcing the “Plasma spam” tactic as we see so many complaining about.

2 Likes
#2

I think they were needed, but I do really like your idea of having defensive stats as another option. That’s a big thing I think the game needs: options to vary play style.

2 Likes
#3

So, I see it like this.

Balance was obviously FT tipped before. They’ve been trying to shift that by giving the pred more defense over the last few patches (increased predator armor and what not). It hasn’t been working so they geared the specializations now to increase pred DPS to closer match FT.

Two different methods to achieve balance, neither really worked right imo, even if the latter actually did work and balance the game a lot better.

Now they need to fine tune a little more and reduce the TTK both ways and I think we’re there.
That and lengthen missions to prevent speed runners obviously. Hell maybe a mandatory added objective for games where you finish the mission under 5 minutes that takes 5 minutes itself to prolong the match enough.

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#4

Your idea seems good on paper, but in practice, we’re looking at a braindead pred barreling into FT. That usually results in death, but if we give the pred more health and armor, it’d just be braindead swinging with no risk. I’ve put 2 whole magazines of Assault Rifles into a VIking and because of Impen or Ironside, it didn’t do enough damage. That’s a problem, it encourages skilless plays and bragging off of brainlet players that couldn’t hit an arrow if their life depended on it. What we need is a reduction to spotting and removal of PDL’s and Field Medics. That’s about it, then we have a balanced game.

#5

I don’t like this idea. While spotting is downright broken in good teams it’s not widely used and does take at least some skill.
If by reduction of spotting you mean Recon can’t stack spotter, tracker, and class buff…then yes. Otherwise no spotting is fine as is I think.

PDL turn into a gear item with 3 uses but give it a wider range.

Field medic is okay too if and this is the one exception to my rule of not making rules for class selection for players. if there is only one. Literally almost turns the match into a protect the VIP on top of the mission. If they don’t do that then yeah Increase revive speed a second or two.

#6

Coming from someone that only plays FT, I def think the FT needs to be scaled back a little and the Predators def didn’t need specializations (I do play pred every now and then bc I don’t like the wait times)

#7

What XP isn’t enough?LOL, maybe not XP but while Predator stands close silently undetectable by FT you should get a recharge increase of stamina or health for Predator.
Lets just be honest, although it looks good optically to get XP bonuses while you next to a FT member, it would be actually useful to get a health increase instead.

#8

That just favours berserker and Viking, they should remove shoot to death=claim thing, you cant get skulls just by shooting someone, this would get predator in close combat. If predator is scared and not very brave/good , he just shoots bleeding victims.