How the shadow exploiter drone can be improved to feel better than the shadow whip from shadow 1.0

[Grimcrackers]

I'd like to say that after playing around with the shadow affinity and doing some hound waves, exploration, and boss fights such as dragonfly, fuelweaver, and bee queen, that it definitely needs a little work still. I made a post previously that expressed how much I was enjoying the mechanics of the affinity and just wanted aesthetic changes to the drones so they were more shadow themed then mechanical, while still maintaining some mechanical bits. I thought back on the shadow whip vex thing and how nice it felt for the short time I used it, and how the drones just haven't felt as smooth compared to the original iteration. Now, I do think the original lacked the "proper" vibe of wx, and that people asking for a full reversion are misguided, but I can agree on the drones adding visual clutter during fights and being overall clunky compared to the passive affects provided in the original. I really hope this beta gets more time to cook and we see primarily the exploiter drone tweaked and made to be less clunky overall. 

To resolve the clutter issue, I've seen people suggest a single upgradeable drone, and I actually largely agree! When it comes to autograbbers they are good as is (minus visuals but even thats pretty okay, could maybe be helped to be more like a shadow hand than a claw machine coming from the metal drone) but the exploiter could defintiely use with just being a single drone that scans a single (or an aoe?) of enemies and inflicts the debuff to take more damage. Instead of having three and then 4, make it one drone thats worth the current 3 drones, and then once possessed atrium is plugged in instead of a normal, the drone becomes as strong as the 4, and could even give a much desired planar damage buff.

I'd love to see the shadow affinity worked on longer, I know people are getting restless over it not being done by now but I'd say releasing it in a state that many are happy with vs appealing to the people that "just want it done" is preferable. Can't wait to see what Klei does here :3

[Jarrec]

I think the reason they make it drones is so you aren't getting 25% damage againts for different enemies with the maul with no drawbacks while all other characters with similar abilities are single combat or Abigail which has to be which for her hp

[ZeRoboButler]

I half expected the drone from the way they look to just shoot planar lasers of "tech and shadow". Not sure why it doesn't just do that, this way it doesn't just miss since it would hit what you hit. (plus it would look cool, laser beams and pew noises!)

I think it would just be better if they did damage instead based off how quickly you hit your target for synergies with the spin circuit and its quicker rate of attack.

Meh ill just make a post for it... see what people think.

[Grimcrackers]

4 hours ago, Jarrec said:

I think the reason they make it drones is so you aren't getting 25% damage againts for different enemies with the maul with no drawbacks while all other characters with similar abilities are single combat or Abigail which has to be which for her hp

Agreed! it gives wx some nice identity as applying a meaningful debuff via the drone that can apply to both him and other forms of damage. The drones should stay and I think single target is good as well, the visual clutter is just very apparent from my testing and while it isn't actively harmful it is distracting and currently doesn't look shadow enough. 

[NASAZZAM]

I personally still prefer the original 1.0 version where WX-78 is infused with shadow energy and manifests that power directly, but I respect the opinions of those who prefer the drone concept. Ultimately, regardless of the direction taken, the current implementation—where four drones constantly clutter the screen—must be addressed. While I personally believe that reverting to version 1.0 would be the most straightforward way to fix this, I sincerely hope that the issue of visual fatigue is resolved through whichever method is chosen.