Why do we want defensive mercs?

(Brycko) #1

Recently we’ve been seeing a lot of ideas for defensive mercs in this forum, and a lot of healthy ideas have come out of it. Notably, these have been classified into two general ideas: A shield based passive medic (Bulwark, Brutus) and an armored tank/damage absorbing ability (Croc, Steel, Evie).

So what’s the deal? Rhino kinda counts as our tank, and Turtle, our shield merc, hasn’t even been released yet. Are we just that desperate for better defense? Are we unsatisfied because we die so much? Or are we just really desperate for Turtle’s release? It’s not that I don’t know, I just want to know what everyone else is thinking.

Why do we want more defensive mercs?

(TheGreatHoundini) #2

I think Rhino and Thunder both actually fail as tanks. But basically everyone in DB right now
is a ‘shooter/killer’, and maybe people want a bit of new gameplay to go with new content.

The only way right now to gain a position is under cover (or threat) of heavy weapons fire. So I feel it can be as much from a desire for a shake-up as well as the knowledge that Turtle is “somewhere out there”.

Definitely though knowing of the existence of Turtle, and having seen a prototype of him in action via console, is enough to also give people ideas for Mercs/Gameplay based more around holding down a position or being able to facilitate movement with less risk of damage to self or teammates and for an “aggro” mechanic that works naturally (rather than statistically).

(SzGamer227) #3

I think there might be some confounding of the cause and effect going on here. The way I see it, Dirty Bomb already features a very broad variety of combat/explosive abilities that cover just about every want or need a combat player might have. Fresh ideas for combat abilities that are distinct from those we see in game already are scarce at best.

On the other hand, there is only one officially confirmed pure-defensive ability for a merc that hasn’t even been released yet. There are a lot of obvious concepts for potential defensive merc abilities, so I don’t think it’s that we “want” a defensive merc, it’s more that there isn’t a defensive merc, so random ideas for merc abilities that don’t exist in-game are likely going to be defense-oriented.

(Mr-Penguin) #4

Imagine a defensive merc on the offense.

I think you can see where I’m going here.

(TheGreatHoundini) #5

A defensive Merc on Offense can actually be an effective “Aggro Magnet” or help keep teammates unharmed to secure movement to a new position.

Think of what Captain America does when Avengers are “Attacking”. :wink:

(Mr-Penguin) #6

[quote=“TheGreatHoundini;180050”]A defensive Merc on Offense can actually be an effective “Aggro Magnet” or help keep teammates unharmed to secure movement to a new position.

Think of what Captain America does when Avengers are “Attacking”. :wink: [/quote]

Depends on the implementation, situation, and the ability. Reinhart’s shield works for pushing in OW. A merc with a trophy system that shoots down incoming grenades… not really.

(soothingMallet) #7

@derpypenguinz19
Defensive mercs are still useful on offense, turtle can be used to create a stronger foothold on c4 plants, by placing a shield on entrances to the map or for capture objectives by placing a shield to soak damage as the object holder captures the objective. Turtle’s shield can also be used to block doorways similar to kira’s ammo station.
Just gotta think outside the defensive capabilities

(Bluepanda) #8

It’s not necessarily the nature of their roles, whether offensive or defensive, this game is a fast paces shooter. Each mercenary doesn’t make you defensive or offensive.
It simply gives you the edge in certain cases with abilities, stats and weapons.
Proxy, the supposed defensive merc is one of the most offensive mercs in the game, as she can place her mine and blow it up in the enemy’s face. (and quick slash knife frenzies)
It doesn’t matter whether it’s defensive or offensive, if it kills people, and if it help doing the objective, we have a winner.

(Dysfnal) #9

Defensive abilities are way easier to come up with