Class Rebalance: Archers

It has been some time since we last shared any new information about our class rebalance blog, hasn't it? In this blog, we will be focusing on the Archer job branch. As we all know, this job splits into two classes: Bow Master and Crossbow Master. We will be analyzing the issues of each class and suggest alternative approaches to each one - All while not revealing any specific skills as those will be revealed in a future class section on the website. # Short Reminder Since Selene is being built from the ground up, every skill also needs to be coded into the game. This could potentially be a tedious task. However, it allows us to redesign classes and code them differently in the first place. This enables us to solve the issue of unbalanced classes in pre-big-bang servers better, having more freedom in design. This means each skill across every class is being looked into and changed to create an engaging experience that makes the class unique. Read more about this [on our previous dev blog about class rebalance](https://playselene.com/blog/post/5/), # Introduction to Archers The way we see it, Archers are one of the better-designed classes in the game. However, they lack one crucial thing: Uniqueness. Archers act as a secondary damage dealer with one thing in mind: Sharp Eyes. This incredibly strong buff is what makes this class viable. While we feel sharp eyes should stay as it gives archers a unique power, we think the area they lack uniqueness in is their role as a secondary offensive class. There is currently nothing that makes them shine when they attack as compared to other range offensive classes - this is what we will be focusing on, making Archers feel unique and stronger than other classes in certain scenarios. # Stats As mentioned in the previous class rebalance dev blog, each class is redesigned with five parameters in mind: - **Single target damage** - The amount of damage one can cause to a single target. - **Multi-target damage** - The amount of damage one can cause to multiple targets within close and long-range. - **Tank** - The ability to protect yourself and the party members from incoming damage. - **Support** - The ability to strengthen other party members, weaken enemies, or provide useful tools for the party. - **Mobility** - The ability to move to a certain location within the same map or in a different map. With those attributes in mind, we've created a table where each class was given a certain ranking in each of the different categories.  **Class Rebalance Table (Archers only)** Do note, a class that has two stars in one stat does not double in value over a class that has one star. It merely indicates that one star is slightly weaker or the two stars is slightly stronger. As the table tells you, Bow Masters and Crossbow Masters are similar in many stats. The difference comes in 1 extra multi-target point for Crossbow Master, and one extra point in mobility for Bow Masters. The main difference between the two will be how they accomplish these ratings. # Archer (1st advancement) One key aspect that we want archers to excel at is the ability to shoot a target from afar. It never made sense to us that Archers get approximately the same range as other ranged classes. An archer should be able to shoot its target from exceptionally far away, and this is one thing we have focused our design upon. However, as an archer in Selene, you slowly learn and improve your shooting range as you progress, so expect to start with rather bad shooting skills while keeping in mind that someday in the future, you will be able to shoot Mushmom from Henesys. (Not really, but how fun would that be?). Other than that, we have increased archers focus on critical hits - which is another aspect that they are better at than any other class. To help archers deal with their poor range during 1st job, we gave them a skill that helps them deal with close-ranged battle as well. # Those who are traditional and like bows Bow Masters uniqueness comes from their set of skills that shine the most when you can focus on one monster at a time without switching targets. You are also able to manipulate enemies around you to help you achieve that goal. Once you become a Hunter, expect the gameplay experience to become much smoother as you start gaining some range that helps you stay safe as an archer should. Soul Arrow has been redesigned and moved to the next advancement (more on that later in the Arrows section). We've given hunters a unique skill that rewards you for concentrating on one target.  **Hitting the same target with consecutive hits increases your damage against it.** Like with other classes, Final attack has been reworked and is now a viable option that increases your damage output in the early game. Ranger is when you start getting some (much needed) mobility, alongside many offensive skills that help you deal damage in both close and long-range scenarios. All damage skills were buffed as these skills are your end-game multi-target purposed skills. Say hello to Soul Arrow in its new form and expect a puppet rework that makes it far more useful than its original form. Bow Masters have been kept almost the same, except now your range has been increased dramatically and certain skills have been enhanced to be more useful. Hurricane has been buffed and shines when combined with your new 2nd job concentrating mechanic. Hamstring, which is among the most useless skills in the game, has been removed, and we have given Bow Masters an additional way to expand their puppet usability should they prefer to. As with all other party buffs, Concentrate bonus now stacks with other attack buffs and potions. As a whole, this advancement is when everything comes together to form an incredible all-rounded class that shines by providing both good damage output and support capabilities. # Those who are fancy and like crossbows Crossbow Master’s uniqueness comes from their ability to deal massive damage to wounded enemies while freezing enemies around them, preventing any enemy response. They are ranked the slowest class in the game due to their slow animations. However, a well-utilized Crossbow Master should stand in one place and focus on using its large arsenal of offensive skills. As a Crossbowman, just like the hunter, your range is significantly improved as compared to what it was before. You get a powerful skill that makes you excel against wounded and frozen enemies. While being pretty decent during 2nd job, this ability is what makes you shine later on down the line as a Sniper and Crossbow Master; Crossbowmen have no mercy when it comes to battle.  **No mercy against wounded and frozen targets.** Like with other classes, Final attack has been reworked and is now a viable option that increases your damage output in the early game. Snipers are very similar to Rangers, except they are more focused around freezing targets and controlling the field instead of burning targets. The ability to freeze targets makes your new skill from 2nd job shine at this point. As a Crossbow Master, your range is further increased, and you get another freezing mechanic that works with your new 2nd job skill. Snipe has been reworked, but still acts quite similarly to what it used to be before. We have made Piercing Arrow less feelsbadman to use. We have also changed Blind's functionality to be more useful, especially against high HP targets. # Arrows We have completely reworked how arrows operate in Selene. This is a result of various feedbacks received from the community via our idea submission form. Arrows now work similar to Throwing Stars in that you collect sets and recharge them. Arrow sets are level-restricted, so as a low level, you can only use the most basic arrows, and as you improve your shooting skills, you learn to use more advanced arrows. | Level | Arrow | Attack | |-------|-------------------|------| | 10 | Regular | 10 | | 30 | Bronze Arrow | 12 | | 50 | Silver Arrow | 14 | | 70 | Gold Arrow | 16 | | 100 | Diamond Arrow | 18 | | 120 | Red Diamond Arrow | 20 | You can expect the more advanced arrow sets to be rarer than what you are used to with Throwing Stars in other servers. Due to this change, Soul Arrow has been reworked. It now consumes a large amount of arrows and lets you shoot unlimited arrows for a set amount of time. Soul Arrow will no longer make you lose your arrow damage bonus either. To make things easier, we have also combined both types of arrows into one, so you can use the same arrow sets with a bow and a crossbow. # Conclusion While you will have to wait for the full class to reveal some time in the future to get the exact details, this dev blog should give you a good idea of what Archers gameplay is going to be like in Selene. As mentioned before, unlike warriors, we believe archers were not poorly designed to start with. They simply needed some small tweaks and mechanics to make them feel more than just a mediocre damage dealer with good supportive skills. We believe our changes make the class more fun to play and potentially stronger in certain scenarios using the new mechanics introduced. And as always, If you have any questions, suggestions, thoughts, or anything else, make sure to join [Selene's Discord](https://discord.playselene.com) and share those with us.