Skill Development - Blade Vortex



Blade Vortex was created to first appear late in Act 1 as part of the Shadow's Physical Spellcaster build. As with most skills introduced at level 12, it's less straightforward than the introductory spells like Freezing Pulse and Lightning Tendrils, and with less base area than the level 28 skills like Flameblast and Ball Lightning.

The skill started as a physical object that rotated around the caster and impacted directly with enemies, but we've shifted to having the spinning weapon being representative of a 'radar'-like line that damages all enemies, making it much more reliable and improving behaviour with Area Radius bonuses. Multiple casts will mean you'll have multiple of these 'radar' lines, meaning more hits. The skill also increases in radius as the gem is leveled, as part of an initiative to have players not need to focus as heavily on Area of Effect passives in the tree.

Blade Vortex can be used to great effect by a skillful player, especially at higher levels. By supporting it with Increased Duration, characters can build up a huge number of weapons before wading into the fray, letting the player cast infrequently to maintain an effective storm or to cast heavily before engaging tougher enemies. Its short cast time further help this, letting you quickly deploy a blade in between moving or taking other actions.

Here's a video of the skill in action in act 4 normal. Enjoy!

Balance & Design
Ooooo This with cast on melee kill + cyclone - with same support gems effecting both.. 6l could be pretty snazzy 0=
Last edited by 58elrond on Nov 25, 2015, 6:02:29 PM
Hypue
Look on my works ye mighty, and despair.

Harvest league oh you are beautiful.
Any news regarding the poison support you teased in the "Enchancing Poison" manifesto?
Naaaz
first page! Hype
Definitely seems like the new go-to CoC spell. What advantages can there really be to selfcasting it instead?

E: ah, a short cast time. A good solution!
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Last edited by Wooser69 on Nov 25, 2015, 6:03:24 PM
awesome +10 :)
Cyclone+Blade Vortex melee are in serious business :)
play my first rpg on the intellivision :)
Chris Wilson"I want to make sure that melee classes are as good as they can be"
Last edited by charley222 on Nov 25, 2015, 6:03:37 PM
Can we have a counter showing how many blades do we have active? Would be really useful


Can't wait for this to come out
Last edited by Stuups on Nov 25, 2015, 6:01:39 PM

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