Having just levelled a second Commando to try the Valdun set I have to say that Cadence is an absolutely terrible skill. When compared to FireStrike it’s just horrible in every way:
- 2 useless shots followed by 1 potentially good shot, that might pierce a bunch of mobs IF you’re lined up right…it just feels very, very clunky. [*]Because of the above point, lacks reliable AOE.
- Also lacks single target damage! A well equipped Valdun vs Ulzuin commando is just laughably bad.
- Aesthetically, it’s also pretty boring…“putt putt fzzz, putt putt fzzz” with virtually no visuals, compared to the veritable fireworks, explosions, dragon’s breath and flame thrower effects (Hellborne) from fire Commando.
- Valdun set bonuses are also horrible, but that’s another matter (although slightly related).
Basically, why would anyone ever choose Cadence in it’s current form?
I’m not sure a buff would save it. Personally I think it needs a complete rework. Maybe make it a shotgun type skill by default, with multiple projectiles, so you can get up close and make a mess, and some exaggerated muzzle flash wouldn’t go amiss. I like the eb and flow idea of the “cadence”, but having the first 2 shots essentially doing nothing is just annoying. If all shots had the Cadence attributes, but there was, for example, a 33% chance for a shot to do double damage, or double crit chance or something, it would keep the cadence idea but be much less frustrating to use.
Such a shame, because the Valdun set has a great look to it.