So I think the Pred needs to be more dangerous in melee by removing/altering the parry, but I also think the fireteam needs to damage the Zerker more. Hear me out…
The Scout is about range, the hunter is balance, the zerker is melee hit and run. Should be this way. But…the zerker does seem a bit tougher than he should be to chase off, and it’s a little (again, A LITTLE) too easy for the Zerker to just bum rush the fireteam.
What about droppping the Zerker’s health/damage resistance (I’m not sure the exact mechanics that make the zerker tougher) to hunter levels BUT give him a little rechargeable energy shield. Just a little one that will off set some of the damage he takes before his health starts chipping away. Enough that he can rush in and down a fireteam member on an opening, possibly get the claim (window will need to be tight unless the fireteam player was really dumb and didn’t even stay remotely close to his team) then retreat while his shield recharges before reengaging.
The energy shield could also break and discharge on a slam/overcharge, but would cause additional damage or a small stun to the fireteam caught in the blast. Giving the Zerker a way to break up the team and create some openings if the fireteam is really strong. This would be an interesting risk/reward tactic, but might also require some additional balancing mechanics (stunning the fireteam might be too much)
I think this would be effective in allowing the zerker to maintain a melee focused playstyle, while still discouraging the bum rush technique. If the player bum rushes, he’ll lose too much health and his next engagement will be riskier. Especially if he only has one heal…
Depending on how this is implemented, I.E. how much shield, how powerful it ends up being, the Zerker might have to sacrifice a heal, just one charge instead of 2.
This would make the Zerker more tactical while maintaining his melee focus. What do ya’ll think?