Hard Hit

[Tristan]

Within the current combat system I'd suggest Hard Hit should be worth at least two level-ups to bring it in line with Weapon Accuracy & Dodge, so my vote is for 2-2.

Assuming the new combat system applies a weapon-specific percentage of base damage on each hit, perhaps Hard Hit could change as well and augment the percentage rather than increase the base. Maybe a 5% increase per skill level, capped at 5 levels? So a dagger that delivers 50% of base damage per hit would deliver 62.5% at the 5th skill level, a short sword that delivers 100% of base damage would deliver 125% at the 5th skill level, etc.

[Duke]

Great posts and takes everyone. And along the lines of what Tristan is saying since the game is beta, we need to take a look at the data today, but I really like what he says about changing the skill to fit what is hopefully coming soon, a new combat system.
I did find an old thread that talked about the Hard Hit debate as well.
http://andorstrail.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1764#p18524
Oh and my vote for today's system is for higher base and max 1-3. I tried to think of it in terms of what would make me take the Hard Hit skill, other than as a requirement of other skills, such as cleave.

[fiernaq]

Would be nice to see more than 14 votes. Anyone else have an insightful opinion they'd like to share?

[Oet]

1-1 is the one I like most. But I guess 2-2 is the most balanced.

[Pyrizzle]

I actually really don't care either way.... I still consider spending a skill point (Which are very valuable) on something that you can get from a regular level up to be a waste.

But that's just one person's opinion.

[randerthall]

Honestly, it doesn't matter to me. I just took HH to get cleave. IMHO its not that great a skill but with the 0-2 ratio its on right now, it still improves average damage potential. Just because your minimum damage output didn't change, it doesn't mean its that bad

[Oet]

I changed my vote from 1-1 to 1-3, since I changed my mind about this skill.

[fiernaq]

I actually based my 1-3 vote on the current Weapon Accuracy skill. WA gives +12 AC which is 2 and 2/5 levels worth of AC... just slightly over 2 levels worth. At 1-3 AD, the max AD added is 3 levels worth while the min AD added is 1 level worth which makes the entire skill.... just slightly over 2 levels worth. This should effectively make WA and HH both "worth the same" even if different people may want one or the other more for their particular build.

[Oet]

I actually based my 1-3 vote on the current Weapon Accuracy skill. WA gives +12 AC which is 2 and 2/5 levels worth of AC... just slightly over 2 levels worth. At 1-3 AD, the max AD added is 3 levels worth while the min AD added is 1 level worth which makes the entire skill.... just slightly over 2 levels worth. This should effectively make WA and HH both "worth the same" even if different people may want one or the other more for their particular build.

The best point made so far, and something that should be considered when applying numbers to skill-ups.

+1

[DR_Joe]

Look at dodge and weapon accuracy, dodge is 3 level worth, weapon accuracy slightly less than 3 levels worth. Hard hit should be on similar level with these two skills.