New Elite Spec Rune Discussion

[thehipone.6812]

With HoT and PoF we got new runes corresponding to the new elite specs (rune of the chronomancer, rune of the scrapper, etc.).  What do you think/want the new rune stats and bonus to look like? What might be useful to enable something that isn't currently an option? I'm having a hard time coming up with a clear identity for some of the specs that speaks to what a corresponding rune would be.  Also, there seem to be some general design considerations for runes that probably should enter consideration - I don't think that there are any current that have 6th rune bonuses that are "hard locked" to a particular class (For example, rune of chrono can also get triggered by necro or scrapper), so nothing that triggers only on the new skill types or class mechanics would seem to be within the current design space.  Let's hear the thoughts/ideas. 

 

Here's a couple random thoughts for everyone to take turns destroying to get started:

Rune of Harbinger: Condition Damage/Vitality   6th: +20% torment duration. After using an elixir skill your next attack inflicts torment.

Rune of Vindicator: Power/Boon duration          6th: While endurance is not full, you have +7% damage and +10% outgoing healing to allies.

Rune of Bladesworn: Power/precision                  6th: +20% vulnerability duration. Using an ammo skill inflicts vulnerability to nearby foes (some # of stacks, duration, cooldown as appropriate)

Haven't played the other ones much.

Rune of Catalyst: What is the identity here exactly?  Combo fields? Auras?     Willbender: something that triggers on physical skill activation?    Vrtuoso: haven't played at all, no idea.

 

Edited October 12, 2021 by thehipone.6812

[Infusion.7149]

Vindicator rune (focus on power DPS and endurance):
 

Spoiler

1st bonus: +25 power
2nd bonus: +35 ferocity
3rd bonus: +50 power
4th bonus: +65 ferocity
5th bonus:  +100 power
6th bonus : +20% vigor duration,  +10% strike damage while endurance is not full

Total: +175 power , +100 ferocity , +10% strike damage while endurance is not full and +20% vigor

Rationale: precision isn't necessary to hit crit cap and unlike other classes it will make heavy use of vigor. An alternative is +10% strike damage while you have vigor to capitalize on Song of Arboreum trait or Vital Blessing in Salvation traitline. Due to mesmers having vigor on crit via Critical Infusion, however, being contingent on endurance is probably better.

The most common power renegade or power herald rune is Scholar therefore a Vindicator rune should emulate that more or less.

Catalyst rune (see tempest / weaver runes) since condi seems to be the strongest archetype not boon or power:
1st bonus: +8 all stats
2nd bonus: : +5% condition duration
3rd bonus: +12 all stats
4th bonus: +10% condition duration
5th bonus:  +16 all stats
6th bonus : +10% condition duration , ignore the next lethal blow and gain a barrier. (Cooldown: 90 Seconds) , see Rune of Rebirth 😄🤣

Total = +36 all stats and +25% condition duration (375 expertise) ; ele meme 6th bonus (no instadown)

A more condi focused version could be

Spoiler

1st bonus: +25 condition damage
2nd bonus: +10% condition duration
3rd bonus: +50 condition damage
4th bonus: +20% burning duration
5th bonus: +100 condition damage
6th bonus: +20% burning duration , -10% damage from enemies in 200 range

Total = +175 condition damage and  10% condition duration for all conditions / +50% total burning  , versus Nightmare runes which are +175 condition damage and +20% condition duration and Flame Legion or Balthazar runes which are +50% burning duration

Condition dagger weaver and condi tempest both have ~50% damage from burning. If hammer 3 orbs are rebalanced on catalyst I would expect a very similar outcome on catalyst.

Virtuoso rune (another power DPS):

Spoiler

1st bonus: +25 power
2nd bonus: +35 precision
3rd bonus: +50 power
4th bonus: +65 precision
5th bonus:  +100 power
6th bonus : +125 precision, +7% strike damage against confused or dazed foes

Total: +225 precision, +175 power, +7% strike damage vs dazed/confused foes is easy to attain on mesmers

See mesmer rune, precision should be a factor as mesmers need to use eagle rune, pack rune,  assassin's gear or thief runes to hit crit cap without danger time. Virtuoso has a minor 10% crit chance bonus for fury.

Willbender rune (yet another power DPS):
 

Spoiler

1st bonus: +25 power
2nd bonus: +35 ferocity
3rd bonus: +50 power
4th bonus: +65 ferocity
5th bonus:  +100 power
6th bonus : +20% swiftness duration, +5% strike damage while under swiftness

Total : +175 power , +100 ferocity, +5% Strike damage with swiftness (see Righteous Sprint trait) and +20% swiftness duration

Power guardians need precision only when not running Radiance. This would be similar to ogre rune but with a swiftness bonus , something we currently don't have ingame.

Harbinger rune (condi focus, obviously):

Spoiler

1st bonus: +25 condition damage
2nd bonus: +10% torment duration
3rd bonus: +50 condition damage
4th bonus: +20% torment duration
5th bonus:  +100 condition damage
6th bonus : +10% condition duration, +5% condition damage while in 240 range

Total : +175 condition damage, +10% condition duration (+40% for torment), +5% condition damage while within 240 range

An accompanying torment rune nerf would be good as that provides quite a bit of free sustain. Rationale is simple: half of harbinger benchmark is torment ; every harbinger shroud skill more or less is torment.

Bladesworn rune (yet another power DPS):

Spoiler

1st bonus: +25 precision
2nd bonus: +35 ferocity
3rd bonus: +50 precision
4th bonus: +65 ferocity
5th bonus:  +100 precision
6th bonus : Gain 5s swiftness when swapping weapons , +5% strike damage while under swiftness

Total: +175 precision , +100 ferocity, +5% strike damage under swiftness and a swiftness source

Power warriors make use of swiftness and so do weavers to an extent. Bladesworn with Swift as the Wind doubles down on this. We don't have a rune strike damage bonus reliant on swiftness currently. With Doubled Standards and Burst Mastery in Discipline the swiftness requirement is eased a bit.


If we get a support condi thief or "bunny thumper":
If the ranger spec is melee it should have a bonus when pet is alive ; if the thief spec is condi then a poison+ bleeding rune would fill out the runes we have now (Superior rune of thorns comes close).

Edited October 12, 2021 by Infusion.7149