Nerf Demolition IED, Reduce Super Transform uptime, or list it as a MapleLegends feature

Per this thread:

While I understand that this might not be a 'bug' by its definition, it seems a bit weird that such a feature exists on no primary attack (in the list above) besides Buccaneers. This IED feature was later introduced as a buff to Shadowers with their Assassinate skill, requiring a long charge up time.



Looking at the list of Buccaneer changes, I'm wondering if it's time to look back and see if all of these tweaks have left a class overtuned.

Here are a couple of thoughts:

• Bucc Demolition IED should be changed to be in line with other classes, or
• Super Transform uptime should be nerfed and Buccs rebalanced elsewhere (credit to Gurk ), or
• if none of the above, Bucc Demolition IED should be listed as a Bucc specific feature that staff intends to keep instead of hiding it behind legacy code. A statement should suffice, and possibly added to this list.

Bring some popcorn and discuss.

 

Was boss defense not working properly a Maplestory v0.62 feature, or is the bug fix a MapleLegends feature?

The point is that the defense bug fix shifted class balance all around - whether it was intended or not. Super Transform having a higher uptime (Legends feature) has a direct impact for the effectiveness of Demolition IED, which I don't think was intended by the staff back in 2019 because the defense bug fix made things such as the innate IED somewhat negligible.

 

I think this is a good approach. If Demo IED is here to stay, then this should be listed out as a feature.

I think the culprit here is extended ST uptime as it amplifies time allowed to spam Demo and thus time in an extremely high DPM efficient state. Being able to spam Demo less would bring it more in line with the custom Assassinate IED feature (limited by situational uses). There's never really a time where ST is situational for DPM output, is there? Actually, in PB, being in ST during statue phase 4 & 5 was a bit dangerous unless you had Heroes Will since your (male) hitbox was tall enough to touch statues during seduce walk (though you could counterplay by right clicking ST, or running bird-first which coincidentally hinges on bucc utility anyways). However, this was changed in the last patch as a QoL/consistency change, but it was also inadvertently a Bucc survivability buff.

I actually don't think there needs to be a counterbalance, but I'd be curious to see what kind of impact a shorter ST uptime has on Bucc effective DPM/DPM rankings in different fights.

Don't get me wrong - I think all of the QoL changes are great, and making a class feel better to play is of course a positive change. The gripe comes more from a scarcity mindset where there seems to be fewer changes being made overall -- with a seemingly uneven distribution of attention being given towards the Bucc class.

On that note, I think the Bucc class is well designed in that previous job skills don't simply get made irrelevant for the better/stronger/same utility skills in the next, so in a world of CustomLegends, it'd be nice if other classes could be made more similar to Buccs in that design concept. It'd be nice to have more use cases of all your skills, not just your 4th job ones. Savage Blow buffs when?

It's a bit of both. Buccs don't seem to really have a weakness outside of a weaker early-game development, but considering the exp curve and alternative methods of blowing past the early game, I don't think that stands as much of a weakness in the holistic side of things.
Not a comprehensive list, but Buccs can:

• Wash to 30k hp easier than most other meta-relevant 'attacker' classes
• Spend less on pots than every other class besides thieves
• Perform Bucc-only duties making them a requirement in some forms of content (aggro/pin, TL)
• Fit into any party composition while providing party utility to some (SI)

And the cherry on top:

• Do top tier damage in end-game content

I think the utility side of things is fine, but it shouldn't come coupled with such strong DPM. That being said, I don't know if a flat DPM reduction is what's needed, which is why I thought removing IED from Demo to be a regular skill would be the less offensive/more reasonable ask. Or, if staff decided that the current state of buccs was fine and no change need be made, then to solidify that stance by listing it as a feature.

 

There's proof of buccs matching top ranks of DPM in PB floating around in some communities already, many of which Staff are a part of. There's also proof here on forums of top level buccs performing within the top 4 or 5 (Sair, NL, BM, Bucc, MM) in HT.

If equal funding end game Bucc is losing out to classes besides sair or NL (and rarely, BM), it's most likely because of player skill differences. Note - this applies to end level buccs that have maxed all their skills.

 

Should play an NL for a bit and try to reach competitive DPM efficiencies (DPM over Dummy DPM). You'll quickly realize you're mostly wrong with this take, especially in content like HT. It's just an old narrative that people like to spin because they play with other bad/lazy NLs (of which there are many considering how popular the class is), but these are the type of NLs that end up getting whited by people 20 levels below them. (Edit: Would also like to note that I'm guilty of having thought this in the past, but after playing an NL, my thoughts have been changed. There are a lot of micro-optimizations to discover to push your DPM further and further.) It takes a considerable amount of focus and attention to reach optimal levels of play for any class. NLs are good - not arguing that point, but their main appeal is that they carry less risk which is a huge advantage for high risk content where you're collectively dumping something like 360m worth of apples per run.

Could also just be a perspective thing. I don't think you've really explored much content outside of the afk/freefire types, so your skewed perspective makes sense in that context.