Rogue Runes > Shadowstrike VS Shadowstep and more

[Dorelix-nethergarde-keep]

I am very very excited to play SoD for many many things. But at the same time, Blizzard is asking us to provide feedback, so here you have it.

I saw first runes of SoD and I wanted to create a small thread for rogue players to talk about first runes in gloves, specifically about Shadowstrike (Sstrike).

Not only by the name, but also by the mechanic, it reminds me a lot of a much classic ability called something like Shadowstep (Sstep). I remember playing at TBC and as the last of the Sub talents I enjoyed how such a unique skill broadened my movement… it fitted perfectly into the Sub rogue. I could move around and make any kind of combo after reaching my target’s back. And despite its many changes in future expansions, the skill remained loyal to the first time.

But then I get disappointed when I read the full name of the skill: Shadowstrike. It seems it was not enough for Sstep and they added this skill in Legion. Why choosing this one instead of the classic one? I understand the cool extra buffs from Sstep (speed, extra x% damage, cast out of stealth), but they can be modified or even taken away. I just loved the flexibility of choosing what to do: either ambush, stun, pick lock or just move away from the back of the target.

Maybe there are plans to add it on future runes and this thread doesn’t make sense at all. But I see the rest of the skills from gloves runes and… If they decide to add Sstep later on, I bet no one will take Sstrike, as the others are too good. (mutilate, bleed, shiv…)

Then, I am expecting the worse: If I were to be asked if it makes sense on Classic SoD to have these 2 similar skills, I would say NO, one is enough. But then, if I were to choose one, I would definitely go for a flexible simply “classic” Sstep than the non-classic, nor-very-subtle Sstrike.

So please, if and only if it makes sense according with your plans, let us subtelty rogues play more stealthy with Shadowstep instead of Shadowstrike

What do you think?

[Shatrickz-malganis]

I would prefer shadowstep over shadowstrike aswell, since it has more useful aplications and is useable out of stealth aswell.
But adding more mobility in classic doesnt feel right.
Shadowstrike has atleast the down side of only useable in stealth, and since it deals dmg, u cant open with cheapshot or ambush.

[Dorelix-nethergarde-keep]

Agree with you, that is why I don’t want/think they will add more mobility skills like this. But then they could have added the original shadowstep that was only usable while stealth (at least that was for 10 months after they changed it) and everybody would be happy

[Pawnchop-mirage-raceway]

The Rune that got me a bit surprised was that one that reduces backstab energy cost by 20.
Im thinking that will make dagger rogues quiiiite strong.

[Gharukk-kazzak]

They wont add shadwstep because rogues are already so broken in classic pvp. Would make them waaaaaay too strong

[Dorelix-nethergarde-keep]

I don’t think that’s an argument for not to adding it. Don’t see how much it would change the pvp having one except the other. I don’t mean to simply add it, just changing it from shadowstrike.

If the Sstep is only castable while stealth, then it’s practically the same. And you would have to spend 60+(20?) energy to make a proper ambush whereas a simple SStrike is just 30. What I mean is rogues lost the chance to decide. I feel SStrike is not classic rogue, S Step is basically from first expansion, so it feels almost classic for me.

[Gharukk-kazzak]

It is an argument. Especially hunters and mages would go insane if that happens. Its too strong period. Wont happen

[Jasonbourne-firemaw]

Just… STOP IT! Shadowstep would simply change the pvp too much, they are making it in vanilla for a reason, we do NOT want all the crap that came after and ruined the game…

[Bupp-gehennas]

Because rogues already get a ranged kidney shot rune and shadowstrike means you cant use cheap shot. blind/gouge/vanish/preparation is still there, you can still CC lock just fine, no need to buff it.

[Dorelix-nethergarde-keep]

I understand you are all thinking about pvp (though you may be forgetting all other buffs/skill the rest of the classes have got… melee hunter, ehem, self-healing mage ehem), but I have always played subtelty pve in classic, and maybe I am a little biased.

I feel these runes are not as cool as other clases, beside maybe rogue tank (which falls obviously under a more “combat” build). AFAIK, runes should be spread to help create cool builds (like mage healer, one heal rune for every part, or the tanky rogue ones). But for subtlety rogue? I guess I will end up taking a long kidney shot (a definitely-ONLY pvp skill), even though is not “rogue-ish” at all compared to appear from the shadows behind your target.

I think watching subtelty only as a PVP would be wrong, and things like cheaper backstab/ambush will help avoid that. Shadowstep is both pvp and pve as it is a gap closer to the target in the middle of a bossfight, or just for questing stealthy to kill the NPC you need across a big group of people or a bridge, or just an extra push of speed to run away…

I think keeping the balance (and not just with scary pvp rogues) is going to be a challenge, but saying shadowstep is OP / non classic all new things/runes considered is not the solution either

As a suggestion I would add shadowstep to those Legs runes, and take out Shadowstrike from the 5 gloves runes (gloves really?). It really does not fit there, not only from the 4/5/3 ratio or the part where is embedded, but it will also make them choose between what it seems 2 different PVP oriented runes as per people’s comments. What do you think of this?