Hot take: Wanda would be better designed, more fun and more interesting if the Alarming clock was removed (+Wanda mini rework)

[Guille6785]

17 minutes ago, lowercase skye said:

Can you elaborate on this specific bit? I agree Wanda is crazy easy to play (and boring) as an experienced player, but I've always thought her specific set of perks and downsides sounded like they'd be really really punishing for a new player, in particular the fact that her kit relies a lot on going to the ruins/archives for thulecite, and frequently killing shadow creatures for nightmare fuel.

obviously not a noob character in the survival sense (she doesn't really offer anything there, although I do think how punishing her downsides are for new players is often overstated ngl) but rather a "training wheels" character for combat; all you have to do is go to the archives or lunar island and then make a shadow manipulator, and by doing so, even without ever putting yourself at risk since no combat is necessary to do any of this, you now have wolfgang dps, way more healing than even jellybeans on a short cooldown by just stuffing a backpack full of ageless watches, extra range, and her only downside in combat is needing to be at 37.5 health to access her max DPS which gets trivialized by night armor + you don't even have to be old to still have a better dark sword with more range (which also completely outranges shadow creatures so the one aspect of her playstyle that might put the player at risk gets thrown out the window while you're at it)

to be clear I don't call her a noob character to shame people for picking her, my complaints are with Klei for running this whole marketing campaign for a character that should've been perfect for a player like myself, only to be met with a 2nd wolfgang in every sense of the word with no skill ceiling whatsoever and who somehow makes combat even more one-dimensional despite looking like the exact opposite

[hoxi]

1 hour ago, DVGMedia said:

they did do this though.  They completely adjusted how hitstun works in order to suit wandas watch.
Every creature has a timer on hitstun.. and some have caps. but that doesn't really change much.

 

I'm fully aware, but the problem is, the hitstun changes didn't do anything for Wanda because the extra range and damage almost fully negate them.

Now, if it was the same as projectile hitstun resistance? It'd actually have an impact on her because in most cases it'd only allow 1 hit to stun for a longer period of time before being able to stun again.

[DVGMedia]

21 minutes ago, hoxi said:

I'm fully aware, but the problem is, the hitstun changes didn't do anything for Wanda because the extra range and damage almost fully negate them.

Now, if it was the same as projectile hitstun resistance? It'd actually have an impact on her because in most cases it'd only allow 1 hit to stun for a longer period of time before being able to stun again.

Well Wanda was pretty bad on base when she was released she literally could stunlock every single creature in the game without having to back away. They did change it a bit so she was nerfed in that sense. But really the big problem is the damage that she can do coupled with the range. You can have one or the other but you can't have both

[WilsonHiggs]

4 hours ago, DVGMedia said:

Well Wanda was pretty bad on base when she was released she literally could stunlock every single creature in the game without having to back away. They did change it a bit so she was nerfed in that sense. But really the big problem is the damage that she can do coupled with the range. You can have one or the other but you can't have both

Exactly. It breaks the point of being a "glass canon" (night armor without downsides cof cof)

 

I hope her skill tree doesn't make her tanky against planar entities. It would be the cherry on the top of a joke

[CrimsonStrider]

15 minutes ago, WilsonHiggs said:

Exactly. It breaks the point of being a "glass canon" (night armor without downsides cof cof)

 

I hope her skill tree doesn't make her tanky against planar entities. It would be the cherry on the top of a joke

So then play old Wanda with only football helmets. Problem solved?

[Jakepeng99]

23 hours ago, WilsonHiggs said:

Atlesst the AC shouldn't be her highest dps source. What is the point of buffing dark swords when they aren't as safe and doesn't have such damage. Melee over ranged or mid range combat should always be better

I agree. Nerf the whip, and buff the sword.

The whip is also much cheaper by refueling,

On 4/16/2025 at 12:34 PM, Gashzer said:

I believe the reverse of this. Wanda's skilltree should double down on more clock weapons.

The entire point of different characters is that you play differently with each. Wanda having this super duper weapon like no other character has, is a large part of what makes Wanda, Wanda.

Ill repost my lunar clock counterpart to the alarming clock; lunar clock is thrown like boomerang but you can "attack" the clock as it returns to you to launch the lunar clock back at the mob but faster doing more damage. If you can keep hitting the lunar clock in nice timing you do more and more damage, faster and faster.

Its like link reflecting ganondorfs energy balls. 

 

I dont like this combat focused direction. Why is every character's focus starting to become combat? 

16 minutes ago, CrimsonStrider said:

So then play old Wanda with only football helmets. Problem solved?

Why would you do that? What problem does it solve?

[WilsonHiggs]

18 minutes ago, CrimsonStrider said:

So then play old Wanda with only football helmets. Problem solved?

Better yet, klei should buff every character by adding 1000 points to every stat including insulation and damage just because people can play with their hands tied on their backs and with their eyes closed...

[Jakepeng99]

9 hours ago, CrimsonStrider said:

How you fight with an axe is how you fight with a brightshade sword. All someone has to do is choose not to use the watch.

The extra damage from the sword makes a big difference in how you fight the daily creatures. E.g against hounds and how much you dodge and kite.

.

2 minutes ago, WilsonHiggs said:

Better yet, klei should buff every character by adding 1000 points to every stat including insulation and damage just because people can play with their hands tied on their backs and with their eyes closed...

Yeah. Not using good equipment shouldn't be a solution.

"Basically, be worse at the game and avoid core perks of your character if you think this is too strong"

[Laguna]

I don't get. If the character is too weak, you ask them to add something to make them stronger. If the character is already strong, you want to make them weak? If you don't like her because they're too strong, maybe you shouldn't play them?

 

 

[WilsonHiggs]

9 hours ago, CrimsonStrider said:

Eould you say that's the perception the community imposes upon Wanda or Klei does? I never got the impression that she was some type of high risk high reward character from anything in game. That sentiment has been what I see the community parrots

Klei literally said to release a glass canon character because they realized how much was wished for some players when they made Wendy work like a glass canon in her rework. So, no, the community simply is asking for Wanda to be what klei intended 

[Jakepeng99]

22 hours ago, Guille6785 said:

the alarming clock existing isn't the problem, it's that it being her best-in-slot option at all times (at least pre-rift) removes all decision making from the player, dark swords being buffed feels like an insult when they deal less damage and have less range (but I've already ranted a million times about how wanda is a noob character disguised as a deep high-risk-high-reward character and Klei will probably just double down on that with her skill tree)

Yeah i agree. Though ill be honest, alarming clock was an unessisary addition.

[WilsonHiggs]

2 minutes ago, Laguna said:

I don't get. If the character is too weak, you ask them to add something to make them stronger. If the character is already strong, you want to make them weak? If you don't like her because they're too strong, maybe you shouldn't play them?

 

 

People is only asking to be a real glass canon, which means, in case you don't know, to be actually strong but fragile. She cant be fragile with a mid range weapon against dumb and basic enemies and 95% armors without downsides

[Laguna]

12 minutes ago, WilsonHiggs said:

People is only asking to be a real glass canon, which means, in case you don't know, to be actually strong but fragile. She cant be fragile with a mid range weapon against dumb and basic enemies and 95% armors without downsides

I get what you're saying, but I think there’s a difference between Klei’s initial idea and how the character was actually implemented. Designing a glass cannon doesn’t mean making a character so fragile that they become unviable. Wanda already has unique mechanics that require constant attention, like her aging system and reliance on clocks to survive.

Also, Wanda’s strength is directly tied to her character identity — she’s a time traveler. Taking away her advantages would be like stripping away what makes her unique among the cast. The beauty of Don't Starve Together is in offering varied gameplay styles, and Wanda delivers a completely distinct experience. Forcing her into a stricter glass cannon mold could end up removing her charm and core design purpose.

Weakening strong characters instead of uplifting weaker ones often just frustrates the community. Balance shouldn’t always be about subtraction — it can (and should) be about adding diversity and different playstyles.

[WilsonHiggs]

20 minutes ago, Laguna said:

I get what you're saying, but I think there’s a difference between Klei’s initial idea and how the character was actually implemented. Designing a glass cannon doesn’t mean making a character so fragile that they become unviable. Wanda already has unique mechanics that require constant attention, like her aging system and reliance on clocks to survive.

Also, Wanda’s strength is directly tied to her character identity — she’s a time traveler. Taking away her advantages would be like stripping away what makes her unique among the cast. The beauty of Don't Starve Together is in offering varied gameplay styles, and Wanda delivers a completely distinct experience. Forcing her into a stricter glass cannon mold could end up removing her charm and core design purpose.

Weakening strong characters instead of uplifting weaker ones often just frustrates the community. Balance shouldn’t always be about subtraction — it can (and should) be about adding diversity and different playstyles.

We only want her to be a glass canon. She isn't really one

[Guille6785]

1 hour ago, Laguna said:

I think there’s a difference between Klei’s initial idea and how the character was actually implemented.

they've called her a glass cannon long after she was already added to the game

[CyberSkink]

Idk… it feels wrong to take Wanda’s alarming clock away. It’s one of the things that make her most unique in my opinion, plus having a high damage whip weapon adds a lot of cool factor. That said, these are all subjective reasons, but I think the alarming clock should stay, it’s integral to Wanda’s kit and I think it could be expanded upon in the skill tree in order to make her a true glass cannon. Maybe instead of 3 forms, Wanda could unlock more with a skill that allows the damage to increase exponentially when much closer to death, but at the same time, decrease the damage when further away, thus fulfilling the glass cannon archetype.

[CrimsonStrider]

Edit: I don't like that this combined two posts because it's admittedly a wall of text.

TLDR Wanda has two rhythms and I enjoy that, and you can easily restrict what you use to make her harder to play. 

‐------------------------------

The damage difference between all the melee weapons doesn't change the actual way you fight. It's the same kiting pattern. The exception is Toad and a hambat, which requires you to drop the hambat and carefully manage that.

The AC has its own rhythm because of the differences in speed and range. It also has the option of a stutterstep pseudo animation cancel that I can't quite do on console but I imagine is enjoyable on PC.

Sure, they are both just F move F. My point was that switching between axe/hambat/spear to AC, then AC to Scythe, changes the feel of combat for me in an enjoyable and noticeable way. As some other characters, I don't ever get that subtle change.

Now, regarding the "Why wear a football helmet" comment. I don't understand you dude. Are you forced to wear night armor? Are you forced to use the alarming clock? With Wolfgang, you can't really avoid his damage modifier right? Correct me if I'm wrong, because I've never played him  but combat will eventually make him mighty even if you try to stay wimpy right?

With Wanda you can avoid all the **** you're complaining about. Make your own challenge. Limit yourself to one or two watches. Don't use any armor above football helmet. Don't use AC. Stay old in combat. Now you have your fragile slightly stronger character.

Do you need to feel as though you're special for using Wanda? Would you be happier knowing nobody but you could get through the game as Wanda? Because if you aren't, then even though it's perhaps not the most satisfying thing, you can impose your own restrictions and play Wanda in a way that makes her more of the glass cannon you'd like her to be.

Be realistic for a second. She's DLC. Ignore a rework and whoever that might piss off for a moment. Would you pay for a character that sucks for anyone other than very experienced players? I already feel sort of ripped off getting Wortox on console. Someone trying out Wanda would probably feel something very similar if they paid money for something they'll never have the skill to use.

What does a high skill ceiling even mean? A scienceless Wes run or Guilles no hit run is what skill looks like to me. 

I just have a hard time imagining what you want Wanda to be. Stronger than Wolfgang but dies in 2 hits? With melee range? Couldn't you do a no hit Wolfgang run and get a very similar experience? 

-----------------------

2nd post

Here are my random thoughts. 

Make there some noticeable difference between young, middle age, and old Wanda. 

Make easy baby mode young Wanda. Average player middle aged. glass cannon pro dst player old Wanda.

All 3 would be viable. Experienced players would get the most out of old Wanda, everyone else would have a lot of fun with the other 2. And you could learn to eventually do well with Old Wanda by starting off playing her young.

But as far as increasing the skill ceiling, that would require giving her something extra combat related tools to avoid damage. To me, something like soul hopping is an additional mechanic that adds depth. Perhaps she would need to be very strong, very fragile while old, and would need good timing besides ye ol back and forth kiting to give her depth. That would probably require changing her backstep watch a little. So that she's not just Wortox without souls. Maybe an additional mechanic as well. So beyond simple kiting, you'd have to manage two other mechanics. 

Here's a glass cannon mechanic for you. She does normal damage unless you backstep during an attack at the right time. Then you get a damage boost. Bam. High risk high reward. Dodge twice and she gets a the slight stagger. Bam, alarming clock is essentially the same but requires upkeep and attack knowledge, and now you're both utilizing a backstep timing and kiting in a fight.

Wanda now has watch storage above her inventory and this isn't skill tree based. You can slot 5 ageless watches. Young Wanda has 5 watches useable. Middle has 4. Old has 2 or 3. As you get older, excess watches can't be used. Bam, now when she's old you can't just spam heal with a bag full of watches. Maybe even make ageless watches have minor differences in cooldown based on age. There, now Wanda is essentially the same but has more depth. And it would be easy to expand more in this sense. I just don't see the point because it won't happen. 

[hoxi]

11 hours ago, DVGMedia said:

Well Wanda was pretty bad on base when she was released she literally could stunlock every single creature in the game without having to back away. They did change it a bit so she was nerfed in that sense. But really the big problem is the damage that she can do coupled with the range. You can have one or the other but you can't have both

I'm aware she was worse, I know why the changes got added, but like you said, it just didn't do much at all, it mainly affected everyone else except Wanda.

I feel like making the damage worse than shorter range options like the dark sword (as a nerf to the clock or buff to the sword for her, dunno, I'm not opening that can of worms), and giving the clock (not all whip-like weapons) projectile hitstun, so it gets ignored after 1 recent hitstun for a few seconds, would help against both of those issues.

[Mike23Ua]

So uh I’ve never actually built the Alarming Clock while playing as Wanda.. in fact there are several characters whose abilities I’ve never used- Either because I do not like the Weapon/Ability, or because I simply am not skilled enough at the game to unlock them.

Im beginning to realize that I will never actually unlock Lunar or Shadow affinity skills, I’ll never get to play with Goo Abby, but what I HAVE done is played a lot of Wanda and created 2-3 ageless watches to roll back her old age with.

Wanda was advertised and sold as a glass canon type of character but, she doesn’t feel like that to me.. I’m not even sure if Klei knows what a glass canon even is.

And I’ve seen enough skill trees significantly lessen or out right remove character downsides to know that Wanda will be busted AF when she gets hers. And that’s not even including the Alarming Clock. 

I feel like she’s missing a core part of what makes a “glass canon” an actual glass canon… sure I can suggest stuff- such as having her periodically chased by nightmare creatures (as we see she’s constantly being chased by them in her animated shorts) Change her clocks to having a durability that needs Nightmare Fuel to repair.. give her health points lower than Maxwells etc etc…. 
 

But ultimately: Wanda is just never going to be a true glass canon.

[Johnny_Waffles]

Something that'll really help is just make her HP 60, I was always confused why it seems like it's 60 but is really 150.

[Cruvimaster]

3 hours ago, Johnny_Waffles said:

Something that'll really help is just make her HP 60, I was always confused why it seems like it's 60 but is really 150.

By this logic, an elderly Wanda (65) would have 15 hp, and she would have to heal at age 73.

Basically, Wanda would be a "no damage" character.

We know that DST players love difficulty and that's why Wes is the most used character on the servers (irony).

[00petar00]

10 hours ago, WilsonHiggs said:

Klei literally said to release a glass canon character because they realized how much was wished for some players when they made Wendy work like a glass canon in her rework. So, no, the community simply is asking for Wanda to be what klei intended 

Just because it was advertised as a glass cannon it doesn't mean that she will ever be one hit away from death but in truth she is much more of a glass cannon compared to other characters. You have to be at 35 HP and often go as low as 15 because ageless watch will heal above old age and players don't want to lose damage.

She will never be what you are asking because it has been years and many players that main her don't want a nerf, we play Wanda because we enjoy strong characters. If you want to play a weak character there is option for that, that's how the game was before refreshes and reworks started. 

Wendy isn't a glass cannon at all, it would be a good idea if you could share your definition on glass cannon.

Alarming clock isn't getting removed and Wanda won't be weaker so there's not much point in discussing this. The game was massively changed for better or worse because of alarming clock and it has been in the game for like 4 years.

[Guille6785]

1 hour ago, 00petar00 said:

Just because it was advertised as a glass cannon it doesn't mean that she will ever be one hit away from death but in truth she is much more of a glass cannon compared to other characters. You have to be at 35 HP and often go as low as 15 because ageless watch will heal above old age and players don't want to lose damage.

yes, and this is what 35 hp gets you:

 

1 hour ago, 00petar00 said:

She will never be what you are asking because it has been years and many players that main her don't want a nerf, we play Wanda because we enjoy strong characters. If you want to play a weak character there is option for that, that's how the game was before refreshes and reworks started. 

nobody wants wanda to be weak, we just want her to be what she was advertised to be

1 hour ago, 00petar00 said:

Wendy isn't a glass cannon at all, it would be a good idea if you could share your definition on glass cannon.

he's referring to her first rework iteration

[reddocc]

It would be cool for Wanda to have a risky body slot that gives no defense but encourages using the back step watch or have an additional small dmg multiplier.

Or even encouraging stoping age draining with a well timed ageless watch

[Mike23Ua]

1 hour ago, 00petar00 said:

Just because it was advertised as a glass cannon it doesn't mean that she will ever be one hit away from death but in truth she is much more of a glass cannon compared to other characters. You have to be at 35 HP and often go as low as 15 because ageless watch will heal above old age and players don't want to lose damage.

She will never be what you are asking because it has been years and many players that main her don't want a nerf, we play Wanda because we enjoy strong characters. If you want to play a weak character there is option for that, that's how the game was before refreshes and reworks started. 

Wendy isn't a glass cannon at all, it would be a good idea if you could share your definition on glass cannon.

Alarming clock isn't getting removed and Wanda won't be weaker so there's not much point in discussing this. The game was massively changed for better or worse because of alarming clock and it has been in the game for like 4 years.

I play this mobile game and to give you a rough idea of what a glass canon is- most characters have 12 or more bars of health, the glass canon however has 3 bars of health.

A glass canon is usually defined as an intentionally weak character who grows stronger over time, strength would be distributed based on how much damage they can dish out and how fast they can dish out that damage: But there are certain Rules to being a Glass Canon that do not currently apply to Wanda.

Those rules will be: They deal INSANE Damage, but they have the intentionally lowest health of every character in the game making them ironically also the easiest character to kill as THE Risk Vs Reward character.

A Glass Canon is often restricted by what types of armors they can wear, what kind of weapons they can equip etc..

Wanda however: can craft 3 ageless watches and ignore she has any downsides.