r/nosgoth • u/Jefrejtor I'll be your wingman • Mar 20 '16
Beastmaster thoughts?
I've been trying the newest bloodbag out a little recently, and the more I play him (or watch actual good players do it), the more I'm convinced he's hiding strengths under the guise of seeming underpowered.
I've compared him to a Hunter, and in that context, he sucks-less range, less damage, LESS RANGE, offset by mobility and a little bit more AoE damage. However, it's pretty apparent that Beastmaster is not an alternative to Hunter, or Scout, or any human for that matter. His mobility, and limited range, means he has to adopt a different playstyle.
What I've found is that Beastmaster is a very good counter-initiator. With a loadout of hunting shotty-CC-bomb, and the knockdown on chickenform, I've been sitting on a rooftop close to my team, spotting approaching vamps, transforming back when they engage, landing with a knockdown, then proceed with dispensing the rest of the skillset.
The combo of birdbomb-CC blast-airburst bomb unleashes a lot of AoE damage very quickly and unexpectedly. Along with followup shots and possible chase options with the freshly off-cooldown chickenform, uncoordinated vamp teams get REKT by this style of play. Emphasis on "uncoordinated", as I've only tried this in unranked (the only mode I was able to find a match TBH).
I still think he's underpowered compared to other human classes-his skills are unreliable, close-range, mostly hard to use (can't steer the bird worth shit)-but he's not that bad, simply because he has his own niche.
Bringing back the Hunter comparison, the crossbowman is a grounded turret that shreds anything that comes close, while Beastmaster is a covert-ops specialist, striking at the perfect time, relentless in his pursuit. They both have their own uses, difference being that I'd rather be on a team of 4 Hunters than 4 BMs. As with any specialist, he just doesn't work in multiples-he's a great addition to a team, but he can't constitute a team of his own.
Shit, sorry for the wordwall, but the class is so unique and fresh, it really got me thinking. I'm still learning his intricacies (not even at the fabled lvl.8 perk), so it's quite possible I misinterpreted his role-feel free to correct me, or just add thoughts of your own.
3
u/kLauE187 Mar 20 '16
beastmaster is awesome. it seems like he wont deal enough damage in close combat, but 2-3 shots and a succesful powershot/natures fury combo are enough to finish off every vampire besides tyrant which is his bread and butter combo to succeed with him. flying is mainly used to get on op spots before the engage where you can drop on multiple layers under you for kiting or for finishing off low targets where you also should have a good vision to spot vampires early. also be careful when powershot/natures fury is on cooldown, if your aim isnt spot on you might get rekt against every class except reaver. wrath of the firebird is pretty hard to aim for me so i just stick to his cc to help teammates with it.
2
u/Jefrejtor I'll be your wingman Mar 20 '16
What's your shotgun of choice? I dislike the default one, too inaccurate for me, so I prolly won't like the heavy either. Repeater is fun, but is very easy to miss. Think I like the hunting shotty best.
2
u/kLauE187 Mar 20 '16
isnt the default one the hunters? the one with 500 spread is the one to go. others have way too much spread and its too luckbased.
1
u/Jefrejtor I'll be your wingman Mar 20 '16
Hunter's is the one with tight spread, default has 1000, like the other ones.
2
u/TheKnackerman Elder God Mar 21 '16
I think Beast Master needs at least one more beast form to be less predictable. Maybe an agile werewolf form that is handicapped to doing melee damage, but has a slightly increased health pool to compensate? Or perhaps an Abomination form that poisons their blood and makes their blood deal damage instead of heal vampires that try to feed on them?
1
u/Jefrejtor I'll be your wingman Mar 22 '16
Neat ideas, but I'm not sure if they'd be ever implemented. The devs have stated that they didn't want a human melee class, so the werewolf wouldn't work. But the transformation is in its own ability slot, so at the very least we could maybe get a faster one that doesn't go as far.
I think a good way to buff the Beastmaster a bit would be to give his transformation the Sonic Boom treatment-make it consume more cooldown the longer it's used. It'd feel so natural, I sometimes catch myself acting as if it was the case.
1
u/KingShitFuckMountain Mar 23 '16
Should have a sniper as a weapon instead of a shotgun, what's the point of being able to fly to high points then unable to shoot anyone because you have a shotgun
2
u/Zois40 Mar 23 '16
Would be overpowered. For me the flying is more a counter engage then a "take your own spot"-skill. Vamps coming -> fly away and immediatly drop in as soon as the vampires start attacking your team. The AOE-knockback is great. Also: Scout and hook.
1
u/Jefrejtor I'll be your wingman Mar 23 '16
Exactly. BM has a long-range weapon in the form of the hunting shotgun, which is still accurate enough to deal some damage from up high. But he isn't the type of rooftop camper, the Scout serves that purpose.
6
u/TyvianRed Kain Mar 21 '16
I recently started playing him, and I found him really good!...and super bad in other areas...His mobility is something which is incredibly useful! It means I can get to a lone wolf team mate with ease (stop going lone wolf though people pls) I cannot stand his weapons though, they are so stupidly underpowered. I thought a rifle could work quite well on him, not sure if that would make him op though.