I've actually thought about somethings that could fix the issues a while ago.
In my imaginary build... Blasters would do more damage (50/65 dmg per shot) and so pretty much 2 shooting Jedi/Sith. Their defence would be reduced so that block range is centered around the very saber and less around the character model. This mean Jedi/Sith are twice more vulnerable to side/ambush and even frontal attacks from blasters.
So for example... A lonely gunner would be in trouble, as it should be.. but when they stack up and start shooting on multiple angles and side, it'll force the Jedi to skillfully and quickly move his saber right/left, use backpedal and skillfull deflects to avoid getting sandwiched and overwhelmed by gunners bolts.
Blasters Users would need to work closely togethers, use clever ambush and strategies to penetrate Jedi/Sith Defence, instead of just trying to drain it.
This would be counter balanced by Jedi with good deflection, but also the fact that in my imaginary build, full auto fire is now always inaccurate, lower ammos which promote gunners to use more primary fire.
(Blaster bolts might also be a slight quicker)
Now you will agree that if blaster bolts do terrible damage, its only natural the same deflected bolt inflicts the same wounds. Thing is.. It would be pretty op with current deflection, but fear not, as i've also imaginated a way to make it harder and more skillfull.
I was mainly imaginating it to work as something we're all familiar with..
The sabering system.
- Neutral Block
- Manual Block [MB]
- Semi.[yellow circle in previous build]
- Perfect Block [PB]
- Parries.(Blue circle in previous build)
I was imaginating deflection to work in a closely similar manner...
- Neutral Block.
- Manual Block. [MB]
- Semi Deflect. [SD]
- Perfect Deflect. [PD]
- Deflective Parry Swing. [DPS]
----------------------------------------------
Neutral Block. [held block without MB on bolt contact]
A: Sucess! You managed to avoid a new hole in you're ass.. for the price of slighty higher FP damage.
----------------------------------------------
Manual Block would be needed to perform any successful deflection attempt, but also reduce the FP damage from Neutral Block on bolt contact. It would also be coupled with a good timing, like MB-Disarm to determine based on timing if you...
A: Semi Deflect the bolt.
B: Perfect Deflect. the bolt.
It could also simply work with MB Direction juxtaposed to the bolt incoming angle/height/side and good timing. [Exemple]: If the bolt is coming to hit upper body area you also need to adjust your MB direction in relation to the bolt highest, or lowest position! To say simply... if its coming to the left, you also need to MB left animations, down area you need to perform down MBs Animations... Ect.
----------------------------------------------
Semi Deflect. [Held Block + MB - Wrong Timing/Direction] could make the bolt...
A: Getting deflect randomly in any directions: Wall / Ground / Roof / and so on...
B: Deflected inaccurately where you aim at.
----------------------------------------------
Perfect Deflect. [Held Block + MB+ Good Timing/Direction] would make the bolt...
[Neutral] Sucess! Bolt is getting deflected where you aim at.
[Extreme Buff] Bolt is automaticaly deflected on the same angle it initialy got shot from.
----------------------------------------------
-Deflective Parry Swing [Swing Block on bolt contact]
DPS would work like a sort of Q3, with the use of SwingBlock, counting deflection like a Semi.Deflect, spliting neutral block damage on both FP and BP which would also inflict a very, very short stagger for the one performing the deflective swing.
----------------------------------------------
I'd like to see these new deflection features having a close relation with levels so that Jedi whom want a more support orianted type of gameplay can focus on this new Deflection Mechanism entierly and benefits more diversity in the way to approach these situations.
Deflect level 1:
-You can only Block/Semi Deflect.
-Saber Block Range: Very Small Defence Zone! (As large as the saber blade) [Dangerously open to frontal and side shots without perfect camera motions]
----------------------------------------------
Deflect level 2:
-With further training, you can now successfully deflect bolts back at enemies. [Perfect Deflect]
-Saber Block Range: Medium Defence Zone.
About 0.5/1mm larger defence zone from DF1. (Still dangerously open to overall incoming shots without good camera motion, but give abit more place to slight mistakes)
----------------------------------------------
Deflect level 3:
-With even more training, you are now able to also deflect bolts while performing a swing! [PDS]+[SD]
-Saber Block Range: High Defence Zone.
About 0.5/1mm larger defence zone from DF2 (Still dangerously open to side shots, but give alot more room for camera mistakes agaisnt multiple opponents) You can picture this defence zone very slighty less larger then characters model shoulders.
----------------------------------------------
(?)Deflect level 4(?):
-Having mastered the art of deflection, you're connection to the force now allow you to also deflect bolts accurately back at enemies while performing a swing [DPS]+[PD]
Saber Block Range: Very High.
Defence zone as large as character shoulders. You're safe from frontal shots at this points, even without camera motions, but you're sides are still open to shots if gunners manage to put your attention on different angle to force camera motions from right to left.
----------------------------------------------
(?)Deflect level 5(?):
-Having reach such a connection with the force, Blaster bolts are no match for you. You gain a slight pasive reduction in force points used to perform Deflections and Neutral Block.
→ (Or it could act like a passive for each level as in, each one actually give you a little, very slight reduction in FP cost for performing deflections.)
----------------------------------------------
If you're confused about DPS i've got it covered as well in more details.
