[Kameron8]

This is the first thread of many to come that deals with rebalancing classes in the game. I have discussed these ideas with several people, and these threads are the things we all agreed on. To make discussion easier and less cluttered, I have separated the suggestions based on base class. To start off, here is Martial Artist.

1. Light Tomahawk's Urawaza bonus no longer has a chance to stun. It now has rank * 20% chance to guard break. Guard break skills now deal full damage when striking guarding opponents.

Justification:

In its current form, Light Tomahawk is an autohit that does as much damage as any of the Verglas or Monk skills, but has a 1 in 4 chance to practically win you the fight outright. This change keeps it relevant (although its damage already does so nicely) but does away with simply praying to RNGsus for a free turn skip.

2. Shukichi is now consumed after moving or using an attack that teleports you with its effect. To clarify, this removes the ability to Shukichi, move three quarters of the map, then cross the final one quarter of the map with a teleporting attack.

Justification:

Currently, the effective range of a Martial Artist is roughly the entire map. Unless you are on opposing diagonals (which would still leave you in range of heaven kick after moving with Shukichi), you are well within range to be struck. This keeps Shukichi useful for maxing out your movement or closing a small gap with an attack, but removes the ability to be scrubseeking palmahawk missiles.

3. Kip up now reduces the momentum cost of recovering from Knockdown for Light Armor by 0/1/2. Kip up no longer functions with Heavy Armor.

Justification:

Martial Artist is supposed to be a flexible, mobile class. It has fantastic sustain, high damage, and some of the best mobility in the game. However, it's currently being paired with full on tanks in massive suits of armor and 800 health to hop all over the map, cleanse any crowd control effects, get up from knockdown for free, and sustain health and FP forever. This change encourages people to take Martial Artist for more than just raw passive power, even as tanks.