I'm back with another look at upcoming abilities in StarCrawlers Chimera! Like what you see? Wishlist this bad boy and tell a friend! ːsteamhappyː
The Guile Archetype is made up of Skill Trees that enhance stealthy play and manipulation of the environment and enemies. Why charge into a room full of enemies when you can sneak in and drop them with some well placed take downs? Here are three of these trees and some of their abilities - remember these trees are still in development and are likely to change. Starting off with another classic from StarCrawlers : the Cyberninja.
The Cyberninja is a Class Tree - these trees are primarily made up of active abilities that, in addition to weapons, will be your main way of dealing damage. Cyberninja abilities, like most Guile abilities, are a mix of cooldown and Stamina use. Stamina is a resource that regenerates at a set rate and powers certain abilities.
- Stealth Field consumes a small amount of Stamina each turn to boost your Stealth stat. Stealth reduces the chance an enemy will detect your movement and actions. Attacking an unaware enemy deals bonus damage, so a Cyberninja pick is a great choice if you enjoy stealthy gameplay.
- Dash is a movement skill that can quickly get you into or out of trouble. It also boosts the damage of your next weapon attack, so it can help to close the distance to a target you are sneaking on, or create some space if you're playing ranged. With a Perk point applied, Dash becomes Shadowslip - granting bonus Stealth for a short time and boosting your next attack even higher.
- Surge is a deceptively simple ability that generates 10 Stamina (improving with character level) and makes your next ability Instant. Instant actions do not end your turn, so Surge (also Instant!) can be used to chain together abilities to create combination attacks, such as Surge -> Dash -> Assassinate for a quick burst attack.
Next up the Support Tree of Security. You'll inevitably encounter locked objects as you explore (doors loot crates, terminals, etc.) and they'll definitely be guarded by traps that explode, summon guards, or spew acid and so on. While any character can attempt a lockpick or disarm, Security characters actually know what they're doing.
- Lockpopper is a passive ability that improves your lockpicking skill and increases the chance you'll keep the Omnipick used in the attempt. It's smarter to lockpick a loot chest than to bash it open and risk trashing the loot, and lockpicking a door generates no noise to attract mobs.
- Wirecutter helps make dealing with traps considerably easier. Certain traps also yield useful components when disarmed, plus it doesn't help your stealthy reputation when you're stumbling over exploding pressure plates.
- Boobytrap let's you turn the tables on your foes and plant an explosive trap of your own! Enemies lured over the mine will take damage and have a chance to be stunned. Dropping one of these in a chokepoint can be useful, both offensively and defensively.
Last up we have the Weapon Tree of Pistolier. Pistolier supports using lighter Ranged Weapons such as a pistol (!), SMG, or laser pistol. Ranged Weapons deal moderate base damage, generally consume less ammo, and encourage taking lots of shots.
- Marksman is a passive ability that increases your Crit chance with each attack made with your ranged weapon, until you stop firing. This builds into the chain attack-style detailed below.
- Deadeye grants a chance for any ranged attack to be made with considerable bonus Crit chance. When you're filling the air with bullets, Deadeye really shines.
- Fan the Hammers make a triumphant return from StarCrawlers : your ranged weapon attacks have a chance to trigger a bonus attack (which can then trigger a bonus attack (which can then trigger a bonus attack (which can... you get the idea!))). Add a Perk point and you gain Spitfire - greatly increasing the bonus attack chance when you score a Crit. Once you've picked up Marksman, Deadeye, and FtH/Spitfire, you'll be making it rain lead with the pull of a trigger.
I hope you've enjoyed this preview of the Guile Archetype and some of the Skill Trees and their abilities! There are lots more trees and abilities to be revealed... soon... :D