We want to keep kick-slashs possible, as I mentioned. But they are way too frequent right now, in how often they are used and how easy it is to pull them off. Even I can constantly do it
We are thinking of them more of a risky thing to throw in a duel, which should be surprising if it happens. Right now people basically dance around the possibility of them all the time (in duels).
Edit: Let's not go to far off topic please (also my fault)
At first thank you for the great communication!
I am somewhat deep into the dueling meta and would like to share my opinion.
I like the new kick. Mainly it is used offensive now, opposing to warband where it mainly was used defensive.
It ads so much more relevance to good movement.
But it is fair to say that kicks are OP, just look how often they are used.
Offensive kicks in Duels:
Currently in "high skill dueling" the kick almost never hits. Our movement got good enough. However there are certain feints which encourage the enemy to walk into kick range. He can decide wether he wants to risk being kicked or to block it from a harder angle. Kinda cool mechanic that increases the skill cap.
->kicks are fine in high skill dueling
->kicks are fine in low/medium skill dueling (not used)
->kicks are very unfair in a good player vs bad player matchup. However nothing is fair in a good vs bad duel. Good players always have feints which are unblockable for the bad player.
Dueling requires
2 essential defensive mechanics instead of only 1 in warband. (blocking,
avoiding kicks)
Offensive kicks in Skirmish:
In Skirmish this is a different story. Heavier armors and heavy shields slow the characters down. Kicks are easier to hit.
-2 vs 1 fights are not winnable if the outnumbering group uses kicks.
-Crossbow and Cav players have very
big struggle to dodge kicks. Maybe fair that they are no melee monsters, but very unsatisfying for them. Reduced damage/swing speed already is a good punishment.
Defensive kicks in Duels:
Defensive kicks are almost perfect.
Very hard to execute but it's possible to use them
consistent but only in the right spots. (unlike chambers: Very hard to execute, impossible to use consistent)
They are so hard to execute because you have to
open your block and then get the slash timing correct if you hit, but block if you miss.
Defensive kicks will be impossible to use consistent even if you slightly nerf kicks.
Defensive kicks in Skirmish:
Defensive kicks are used with Throwables or with Crossbow.
low risk, high reward. If players hold crossbow or throwables in the melee you know exactly what he will do. But how to counter it? Sadly you cannot jump over it. It's very disgusting to deal with it if done right.
Defensive kicks, while holding shields, are quite similar to warband. Balanced. Kick nerfs might remove them.
TL;DR
Offensive kicks are very strong. In Duel you can deal with them in Skirmish they are a big problem.
Defensive kicks are kinda fine, since you will get hit if you miss. However the combination with throwables and crossbows might be too strong.
Would be great to find a way to only nerf the offensive ones while not removing them. Offensive kicking is a nice addition to combat in general.
Proposal:
-give a decent timing where you can jump over kicks
-If you anticipate getting kicked offensive grant a way to counter it. Maybe kickchambering, jumping might be valid aswell
-punish missed kicks
slightly, maybe increase the time where you cannot move very
slighty
-
do not punish kicks that hit. (even though its kinda easy once you know how, like only 2% of players can slash after hit)