[Spirit Load] – weapon T2 item, upgrades from [Ammo Scavenger]

[Niktacle]

One of the issues with spirit builds, apart from Mystic Shot and Soul Shredder Bullets there are not many items in Weapon T2 suited for them, while there are a lot of utility items in Spirit T2 that enhances Weapon builds. Also as a game goes on, on some heroes, gun on spirit builds tend to fall off quicker, than spirit scales up.

So I propose Weapon T2 item, to somewhat mitigate it:

[Spirit Load] – weapon T2 item, upgrades from Spirit T1 [Ammo Scavenger], total cost 1750 souls.

• +10% ammo
• +50 Bonus Health
• +5 Spirit Power
• Same passive as older [Ammo Scavenger] 10 stacks with 2 souls per stack, to make it easier on keep active in mid and late game.
• Adds Passive with the same mechanic as [Active Reload]
  • While reloading, pressing [R] during the highlighted period will instead load Spirit ammo, giving you Spirit Damage per bullet, but also will decrease your fire rate by 10%, until your next reload. Lasts up to 10 sec.
  • Spirit Damage per bullet should vary per hero basis, similar to [Toxic Bullets] and [Silencer] buildup per shot. As a baseline I would suggest about added 10-12 DPS, similar to base [Mystic Shot]. With slightly lower spirit scaling, adjusted per bullet, as this is lower risk-reward item and provides another passive.
  • Cooldown 12 sec.

The highlighted period for reload should be in the first 25% of the reload. First of all it fits thematically – you decide to load spirit ammo instead of regular ones. But also since it does not finish your reload, it can be used at the same time as Active Reload, since it’s highlighted period comes later.

So while this item at a glance gives a lot of stats and damage, it is mitigated by conditions to achieve it, stacking souls and need to press reload in time. While also effectively reducing weapon damage as it slows your rate of fire.

Depending of the game flow it also open possibility for T3 weapon item upgrade [Enchanted Load] possibly with increased amount of max souls stacks, and increased spirit scaling per bullet.

 

[micbenso66]

One of the issues with spirit builds, apart from Mystic Shot and Soul Shredder Bullets there are not many items in Weapon T2 suited for them, while there are a lot of utility items in Spirit T2 that enhances Weapon builds. Also as a game goes on, on some heroes, gun on spirit builds tend to fall off quicker, than spirit scales up.

So I propose Weapon T2 item, to somewhat mitigate it:

[Spirit Load] – weapon T2 item, upgrades from Spirit T1 [Ammo Scavenger], total cost 1750 souls.

• +10% ammo
• +50 Bonus Health
• +5 Spirit Power
• Same passive as older [Ammo Scavenger] 10 stacks with 2 souls per stack, to make it easier on keep active in mid and late game.
• Adds Passive with the same mechanic as [Active Reload]
  • While reloading, pressing [R] during the highlighted period will instead load Spirit ammo, giving you Spirit Damage per bullet, but also will decrease your fire rate by 10%, until your next reload. Lasts up to 10 sec.
  • Spirit Damage per bullet should vary per hero basis, similar to [Toxic Bullets] and [Silencer] buildup per shot. As a baseline I would suggest about added 10-12 DPS, similar to base [Mystic Shot]. With slightly lower spirit scaling, adjusted per bullet, as this is lower risk-reward item and provides another passive.
  • Cooldown 12 sec.

The highlighted period for reload should be in the first 25% of the reload. First of all it fits thematically – you decide to load spirit ammo instead of regular ones. But also since it does not finish your reload, it can be used at the same time as Active Reload, since it’s highlighted period comes later.

So while this item at a glance gives a lot of stats and damage, it is mitigated by conditions to achieve it, stacking souls and need to press reload in time. While also effectively reducing weapon damage as it slows your rate of fire.

Depending of the game flow it also open possibility for T3 weapon item upgrade [Enchanted Load] possibly with increased amount of max souls stacks, and increased spirit scaling per bullet.

I dont mind this item in general, I want more items that build up into other items then have the cost adjusted (leach should still cost 6-6.5k total not being additive for example).

However, I really hate items that give negative statistics in order to "balance" the item.

Just balance the item to begin with and remove the negatives. Nobody enjoys negatives. If the item is too strong without negatives, reduce the items positives.

 

[Niktacle]

I dont mind this item in general, I want more items that build up into other items then have the cost adjusted (leach should still cost 6-6.5k total not being additive for example).

However, I really hate items that give negative statistics in order to "balance" the item.

Just balance the item to begin with and remove the negatives. Nobody enjoys negatives. If the item is too strong without negatives, reduce the items positives.

I understand that having too many items like this can feel bad, I think they still have place.
First of all thematically: items like Glass Canon, it's literally the name of archetype, more damage less survivability (Decreased max HP), or Sharpshooter - hits further away, hits harder, but slows fire rate, like DMR or Sniper rifles in games. Same idea here - more damage per bullet, slower rate of fire.
Second reason why I think this item should have some kind of reduction to regular weapon damage, is intended use, and difficulties with balancing otherwise. For example if you take Haze, Wraith or Vindicta they already have some type of spirit damage per bullet (Haze only in ult, but still), and following most common weapon builds - they build fire rate while also investing some souls into spirt. So, if item like this will not have any disadvantages for regular weapon damage, it may be too overpowered for them, and balancing base item stats entirely on outliners like them, will make item underwhelming and useless for the intended cast of heavy spirit builders who do not build a lot of weapon items.