Why are minions allowed in PvP but Turrets are not?

[Kuma.1503]

I don't understand why Minion necro is allowed to exist, even as a meme build, while turret engi must be kept completely unplayable.

Both builds rely on AI to deal the bulk of their damage. However, minions have two key advantages over turrets.

1. Minions can move
2. Minion skills can be activated on command.

Turrets are completely stationary and, unlike minions, you can barely empower them with traits. Ideally, this means that they should be Stronger than minions in a stationary battle, but it's the opposite. An engi running 4 turrets and supply crate loses in a 1v1 to a minion necro. It makes no sense that turrets should have more trade-offs than minions, yet still be weaker in their most ideal scenario.

So I propose the following changes. If the issue with turrets is that we don't want to promote heavy bunker-down gameplay, then I suggest we give engi turrets the ability to fly. Rework them into drones that follow the engineer around the same way that minions follow necro around. Let the engi use their abilities on command, and rework toolbelts into detonate skills.

Alternateively, get rid of them entirely and replace them with some other utility. If you're going to give up on balancing them, then replace them with something you can balance.

[Megametzler.5729]

Don't give them ideas!

[Paradoxoglanis.1904]

I like it. Engis should also be able to remotely control their turret-drones.

[Lighter.5631]

why are minions allowed in pvp but bots arent ;)

[cyberzombie.7348]

@Kuma.1503 said:Both builds rely on AI to deal the bulk of their damage.

Eh, not so much for turrets. Back when I commonly used both rocket and rifle turret, they dealt a combined 2k damage every 4 seconds making 1/5 of my total damage.

[Shao.7236]

They can bring them back, I'm all for it. What really made turrets great iirc is when you self destructed them, damage was really high.

[Azure The Heartless.3261]

Turrets are still suffering from that balancing pass when engies would trot up to a point, drop supply crate, sit there, and melt anyone approaching them. We've had two expansions (one maybe?) since then. perhaps they could give it a -bit- of a look, but no point guard nonsense.