Given how the soul arrow changes were received (feedback thread im referring to), I believed there must be a middleground here. I appreciate the approach the staff was going for (making different arrows matter), but the damage to QoL and the skill's identity was not ideal. So, my idea, if doable, should be capable of solving both the issue with QoL, and maintaining a balanced arrow economy for those who care for the damage. Suggestion: Revert soul arrow, and instead add the following passive to bow/xbow expert: Arrows have a X% chance to not be consumed. (scales with the level of the skill) The % on lvl 30 is up for the balance the admins will find works best. But for now lets imagine it as 50%. Pros: This opens up two kinds of arrow "playstyles". you can either use soul arrows, and not enjoy the att benefits, but get the QoL benefits of the skill, or you can not cast it, and similarly to the new soul arrow, not burn through all your arrows right away. Unlike the current soul arrow, this arrow consumption will match itself to the amount of arrows you use, so the efficiency of it in a lower arrow use case like grinding or fighting an annoying boss, will remain the same regardless (instead of the flat 200 reduction) Cons: This will put even more value and text on bow/xbow expert. it does fit thematically with the skill name, but in terms of balance it makes the skill even more important to max as it gives a huge QoL together with the damage While it was less talked about, the current change to soul arrow accidentally buffed 2nd job archers by quite a lot. reverting it would mean that only midgame 4th job archers will get to enjoy the QoL for less arrow consumption when you are not using soul arrow. Of course, all of this relies on this being doable in the code.
Interesting idea! TBH, I've been reading about the arguments from both sides. Personally if any small thing were to be changed/improved...it would be the duration of the SA buff. Seems like it's super short when compared to other BM skills like Focus/SE. If anything, it would be nice to extend the new SA duration to match the other skills. But I really like your idea too. Another RNG to spice things up.
hahaha, as far as RNG goes, this won't be very spicy. an archer shoots so many arrows throught a bossfight, that it would naturally avarage itself out to +- the % stated in the skill. Another thing i find more interesting with putting this in a 4th job skill, is that people would gain this QoL slowly as they level, giving more sense of progress, compared to the draconic SA change. Btw, while buffing SA's duration would make it more manageable and practical, it would still not address the issue of those who miss the QoL of no arrows for the price of a dps cut.
