2009-03-24, 01:10:08
qweqqweq Wrote:1. an earth tank is practically impossible to kill. it's got so much damage reduction so the only reason it would die is if a player is taking big chances. This makes it a great tank to have if you've got a player advantage like in a 5vs4.
2. the earth tank's earthquake is very strong against buildings. the range on it is pretty big and you can cast it from long range. you can annihilate towers and factories with it very fast and any ground unit that tries to get in your way too.
these points indeed apply more or less, still it seems earth robot is weak compared to other tanks. dont forget that every tank has nice features. at least we should try to buff him a bit, to make players willing to give him another try by reading in changelog that he has been buffed, and by seeing other players playing and testing him. my suggestions:
1) give the dust wave some love. improve the range a bit as level increases, and make it possible to choose the range by clicking at a point, with the same logic as the antigrav jump.
why: this ability should be more versatile. as it is great to reatreat (fast clicking -> still maximum distance), it is much more to actively chase a tank, as the range is always the same. earth robot is a tank adept in defense, but it should get a bit more offensive potential too.
2) replace the transparent armor skill
why: its boring when you play him, annoying when face him: pure, passive defense. also: the transparency effect doesnt fit to the tank in my opinion. a huge earth robot, made of concrete rocks and soil becomes invisible? why? is he a magician, or transform his stones into glass? doesnt seem logical if the tooltip does not grant any additional information. à propos: if this ability and granite defense are kept on earth robot, one of their tooltips should tell how they interact (stack).
3) the ultimate needs a buff.
why: its useless so often, even if you face ground tanks mainly. my favorite solution was to "un-channel" it, making the earth robot able to move and chase enemies the same time he wants to earthquake them. this also prevents a heavy tank from just "denying" an ultimate of a 2000 gold more expensive tank by just sending a rocket as soon as its cast.
yea, just give 1 or 2 of these a try, and earth robot will maybe be seen in games again. as long he isnt chosen in games, its hard to tell if hes balanced. but beeing never chosen, it doesnt seem like hes so great, or even balanced.