Sawbonez Medpacks.

(Dr_Plantboss) #1

Well, Summer Squash Part II is coming up, and I am very excited for it! I’m glad the developers are putting their efforts towards things that the community thinks matters. But that isn’t what I’m here to talk about. In the changes, there was this:

[quote=“stayfreshshoe;32120”]Sawbonez

As the current top-dog Medic, Sawbonez needs marginally toning down. Since his healing is heavily based on quick-regeneration, we’ve reduced the instant ‘Direct Hit’ healing he provides with his Med Packs. This brings it in-line with the ‘Direct Hit’ bonus that Sparks Med Packs provide.

  • Reduced Sawbonez Med Pack ‘Direct Hit’ instant heal to 10hp (from 20hp)

[/quote]
Well, there are a couple things that I disagree with, like Sawbonez being the “top-dog Medic”. But what I am really here to say is:

WHY DOES SAWBONEZ EVEN HAVE AN INSTANT HEAL ABILITY?

Personally, I think that instead of giving 10, 20, or whatever amount of health upon a direct hit, it should give a bonus in the rate of healing ( Maybe 15%? ).

What do you think? Please tell me.

(doxjq) #2

I think he’s fine as is tbh. I didn’t even know he had an insta-heal ability when hitting directs until my mate @Cam told me last week.

Personally I get more effective use out of Phoenix KE81 than I ever have from Sawbonez, but hey, each to their own.

(Dr_Plantboss) #3

@Dox I think that Phoenix is definitely better than Sawbonez is almost every regard, so…

(B_Montiel) #4

When talking about medic and healing capabilities, sawbonez is definitely the most reliable medic of them all IF you manage to dispense your Med packs correctly. Which means being quite accurate on direct hits and making sure you’re not wasting them in whole bunch, as well as not dispensing them to mates who are still under fire, which totally cancels sawbonez’s pack effectiveness.

Under high stress situations, I tend to consider Phoenix being slightly more efficient right now, as his healing won’t get reduced by enemy fire. But Phoenix is definitely more affected by augments. So supports augments are mandatory (potent packs or cooldown reduction) for him imo.

In my view, Sawbonez currently gets the edge mostly because he has 10 more hp which is still noticeable when you face 120+ hp mercs. And his weapon selection, with smg9 and crotzni, gives him a more versatile playstyle.

Imo, those balance changes are just fiddling with numbers. First of all, I’d like to see medic getting some attention overall, as you tend to see their role awfully neglected nowadays. A 2 medic roaster in your team, no matter you’re playing public or competitive should be the core of any team composition, and should be advertised as such. That’s the main problem right now, so I don’t know why they’re going so deeply in refining such little points.

(Teflon Love) #5

Sawbones’ healing stops once a player gets shot. So the small instant heal ensures that even a player under fire receives at least some health, which might be just enough to get to cover and receive a proper second medpack for full health.

(LifeupOmega) #6

Sawbonez has instant heal on direct hit, this is, surprise, to reward direct hits. Potent Packs already fills the role of a faster % based heal, and every Sawbonez player will run cards with Potent Packs (CR42, CR73, SM41).

He’s the best medic in a 5v5 competitive format with coordinated players due to his 10 additional health over Phoenix, his access to the Crotzni and SMG-9, and his fast cooldown, fast healing packs that are used to pocket the frag mercs. The other medics are by no means bad, but as far as reliable killing/healing goes, Sawbonez tends to edge out over the others in this situation.

(blufflord) #7

i will kindly disagree, i think phoenix may be better in a generic pub match, where most of my teamate seem to be playing with hand spasms, but if im with friends, or competent players, they will make most of the health packs. they know where i have put packs on the ground, and now how to get into cover to get the full regen, instead of dying on the spot.
Just my opinion

(Herr_Hanz) #8

[quote=“LifeupOmega;202580”]Sawbonez has instant heal on direct hit, this is, surprise, to reward direct hits. Potent Packs already fills the role of a faster % based heal, and every Sawbonez player will run cards with Potent Packs (CR42, CR73, SM41).

He’s the best medic in a 5v5 competitive format with coordinated players due to his 20 additional health over Phoenix, his access to the Crotzni and SMG-9, and his fast cooldown, fast healing packs that are used to pocket the frag mercs. The other medics are by no means bad, but as far as reliable killing/healing goes, Sawbonez tends to edge out over the others in this situation.[/quote]

20 hp difference, FTFY

and even though i only play sawbonez for the missions, i need faster support cooldown, as i tend to run out of those packs way too fast.

(nokiII) #9

[quote=“Herr_Hanz;202601”]

20 hp difference, FTFY[/quote]

Sawbonez has 110hp, phoenix 100. I don’t know where you get your 20hp difference from.

(Jostabeere) #10

Because healing a low HP Rhino with regeneration only is BS.

(hawkeyeguy99) #11

I’m a Pheonix main, but i secondary Sawbonez. I’ll echo what’s already been said, I had no idea he even instahealed. I think he’s fine as is and doesn’t need buff/nerf but oh well, they’re not messing with my Pheonix yet. :wink:

(MarsRover) #12

As said above, there’s already Potent Packs. Small instaheal add some depth to Sawbonez as he can, if the situation calls for it, to throw a medpack at a teammate under fire. I’m not sure if the upcoming nerf to 10HP will be enough to justify that though.

<spelling_nazi>Do you really not know how to spell the name of a merc you main? :open_mouth: </spelling_nazi>

(Dysfnal) #13

To be fair that’s how it should be spelled IMO

(Dawnlazy) #14

I don’t agree with this specific nerf, but on the other hand I don’t really care since I mostly just toss medpacks in their general direction to not waste time I could spend fighting. It’s why I love Extra Supplies too, can stash medpacks near chokepoints to use during the fight.

(Nibbles02) #15

Everything I agree with has already been said, but I’d like to argue that his access to the Blishlok is far more important. The raw DPS of the Blishlok combined with how strong his medpacks are make him super strong in the hands of a good player.

Last game I played, I saw a player(who was a smurf, but nonetheless) get a 52/11 k/d with just Sawbonez on a public objective match, ending with about 18,000 xp. He used the Blishlok and was often the only surviving member of our team, flanking around behind the enemy team and gunning down 5-6 players in bursts.

(SiegeFace) #16

Sawbonez has always been the all rounder medic, where aura is more chokepoint & defense oriented (in terms of her role, not killing potential) with phoenix more offensive and effective when pushing with the team.

The only role sawbonez cant fill is the across the map revives so I kinda think this change makes sense, since sawbonez can fill almost any gap between defense and offense, he can be quite OP in the right hands.

(doxjq) #17

Yeah the Blishlok is always overlooked. My main reason for picking Phoenix over Sawbonez is for the Hochfir. I just don’t like the SMG9 or Crotz much, but if I do play Sawb these days I do like the Blish.

(Herr_Hanz) #18

[quote=“hypnotoad;202604”][quote=“Herr_Hanz;202601”]

20 hp difference, FTFY[/quote]

Sawbonez has 110hp, phoenix 100. I don’t know where you get your 20hp difference from. [/quote]

i never looked at his HP, he actually has 110?

my life is a lie

(geronimoooo) #19

No one mentioning sparks hahahhaa.

I dont think sawbonez needs this nerf and everyone I asked so far, thinks the same. Nobody saw this coming and in terms of balanced mercs, I think sawbonez is the most balanced.

We cant say which medic is better as I constantly beat any other medics on my team with sparks and I am only average sparks. Every medic is situational and better in something else. Comparing them to each other would be subjective. We can only judge their individual performance. And in that regards, sawbonez is good as he is and I hope SD reconsiders.

For example, I find sparks OP. But I still think the buff she is getting, is justified, because it goes into place, where she was lacking. In the same regards, I dont know what could bring her from OP state down to balanced without destroying her core gameplay.

Balancing is hard, however, should be viewed from on a broader scale, but individually.

(Icecoal) #20

I think that is a noticeable nerf , 10hp less can have a lot of impact. I always try to direct hit them , since people in pubs are mostly to lazy or blind to pick em up themselves