[REMAKE] Coup de Grâce

[Terresquall]

EDIT 061110: Added a test map! You can now check out how the skill will handle.
EDIT 051110: I've added cast time info about the suggested skill.
EDIT 311010: I've made the tooltip description of the skill simpler to understand.

The Skills

Current Coup de Grâce

Mortred has refined her hero-killing skills to a high degree.

Level 1 - 15% chance to 2x critical.
Level 2 - 15% chance to 3x critical.
Level 3 - 15% chance to 4x critical.

Suggested Coup de Grâce (Active)

Causes the Phantom Assassin's next attack to become a critical hit that deals increased attack damage. The strength of the critical hit depends on how many times the Phantom Assassin has attacked beforehand, with each strike adding a portion of her attack damage to the critical for 10 seconds. Upon activation of the skill, the critical bonus will be spent on the next attack carried out, but it will be lost if no attack is carried out in 2 seconds.

Level 1 - Each strike adds 25% of attack damage.
Level 2 - Each strike adds 35% of attack damage.
Level 3 - Each strike adds 45% of attack damage.

Cooldown: 10/7/5
Manacost: 0
Cast Time: 0 (Must be based on Wind Walk or Berserk)

How It Works

I will use a scenario to explain it:

Assume a Mortred with a Level 1 ultimate hits a target 5 times, then activates the ultimate for the 6th attack. Each hit increases the critical multiplier of her attack by 0.25 (i.e. adds 25% of her attack damage), thus with 5 attacks, we get a multiplier of 2.25 (i.e. 1 + [0.25x5 attacks]). The 6th attack does not add another charge to the multiplier--it deals the critical damage accumulated.

• The multiplier drops back to 1 the moment an attack is executed with the skill on, or 2 seconds after activating the critical (this means you have to time it right too).
• Each increment lasts 10 seconds.
• There is no limit to the multiplier, except that it drops one charge every 10 seconds. The faster you attack, the higher you can stack up the multiplier.
• The counter is not reset upon changing targets. You can attack a target to build up a critical multiplier, then go straight for another target with a Coup de Grâce right off the bat. The only thing that reduces the counter is the 10-second limit for each charge.

Why it is an Improvement

Coup de grâce is a French expression which roughly translates into "a finishing or decisive stroke in a course of action" when expressed in English. The current skill, however, is a terrible representation of the phrase; because a coup de grâce is, more often than not, a calculated and lethal act--something which a luck-based critical strike doesn't represent well-enough. Sure, the luck-based critical that is Coup will more often than not, be responsible for many sudden kills that the Phantom Assassin does. The problem is that none of these kills are the result of precise, calculated action which is part of what a coup de grâce entails.

The remake fixes that luck-based part of Coup de Grâce. Now, every critical strike that you make with the Phantom Assassin needs to be calculated and precise if you want it to work its magic. Killing is no longer based on luck, and the coup de grâce delivered will almost always be the timed and precise killing blow.

Balance Improvement

Currently, the skill gives a 1 critical for every 7 attacks made on average. This is how the remake compares with the skill.

Level 1: 7 attacks give a 2.75x multiplier.
Level 2: 7 attacks give a 3.45x multiplier.
Level 3: 7 attacks give a 4.15x multiplier.

I've basically given a slight buff to the skill's damage output in the earlier levels at the expense of the skill's potential at the later parts. Note that the skill scales exponentially because it becomes more effective as the Phantom Assassin attacks faster.

On that note, it also synergies very well with Phantom Strike due to the increased attack speed it gives.

If you find anything off with the numbers, please drop your comments. As of now, the numbers are still very raw.

Is it really possible to control the number of hits that precisely late game particularly with her being transparent? This makes the ulti more interesting but I'm not sure if this is a buff/nerf/neither ^^ I like Mortred the way she is now. I don't want to keep calculating number of strikes she has made.

This problem can be worked around by making Blur's transparency activatable (activation stays on!). It also makes for a pretty visual effect.

Visual & Testmap

When Coup de Grâce is activated, Abilities\\Weapons\\ProcMissile\\ProcMissile.mdl is attached to her weapon for the duration of the bonus (2 seconds, or until she attacks). As the effect is removed when she uses her attack, it gives her weapon this nice glow effect thanks to its death animation.



You can find the testmap here.

[Linism]

The numbers probably need to be buffed a bit. Mortred is kinda already in the low-end of awesomeness, and this is a nerf since you need to hit at least 9 times to get the 4x Crit her old ulti does(8 hits to charge to 4.2x, and the 9th hit to unleash it). while her old one will probably get her more than 1 crit in 9 attacks.

The concept is very attractive though, it reminds me of the DnD Assassins, who need to study their target for some time to get that imbawtf deathstrike. And I especially love how randomness is removed, Assassins aren't supposed to be random, they are supposed to be calculative and coordinated.

Maybe make the starting multiplier and +multiplier per hit higher. But make it multiplier reset when you attack a different target. This makes her a more 1-by-1 assassin since she builds up damage quickly as long as she's attacking one person. Maybe needs a cap since the build-up is faster now.

Or keep the current build-up but allow the buff to last more than 1 hit at the cost of its cooldown.

[Terresquall]

The numbers probably need to be buffed a bit. Mortred is kinda already in the low-end of awesomeness, and this is a nerf since you need to hit at least 9 times to get the 4x Crit her old ulti does(8 hits to charge to 4.2x, and the 9th hit to unleash it). while her old one will probably get her more than 1 crit in 9 attacks.

The concept is very attractive though, it reminds me of the DnD Assassins, who need to study their target for some time to get that imbawtf deathstrike. And I especially love how randomness is removed, Assassins aren't supposed to be random, they are supposed to be calculative and coordinated.

Maybe make the starting multiplier and +multiplier per hit higher. But make it multiplier reset when you attack a different target. This makes her a more 1-by-1 assassin since she builds up damage quickly as long as she's attacking one person. Maybe needs a cap since the build-up is faster now.

Or keep the current build-up but allow the buff to last more than 1 hit at the cost of its cooldown.

You have a point there. After reading your post I do think that the numbers are a little on the low side. Just one thing I want to point out though, I specifically did not want to make the multiplier apply only to one target because Troll's Fervor already works like that, and doing so for Coup would make the skill somewhat similar to that.

Nonetheless, thanks for the positive and thoughtful comments

[OMGitsPAPI]

Very Nice

But would make Mortred even more imba?

I mean I could keep on attacking (Have low HP) activate Satanic
Active Ult
BAM Full Hp Plus cash

But might be ok just needs some tweaks

[Jackalist]

Err, wasn't a multiplier of 1 doesn't change the damage at all? atleast start at 1.05 or 1.1 and even 1.25 multiplier -____-

[Terresquall]

But would make Mortred even more imba?

I mean I could keep on attacking (Have low HP) activate Satanic
Active Ult
BAM Full Hp Plus cash

That scenario is quite improbable. If you had low HP you'd probably be finished from chain disables and/or focus fire before you can charge up your ultimate to a signficant amount for the most part.

Moreover, while the whole point of the remake is actually to make the skill more reliable and fitting to the concept while keeping roughly the same damage output potential; actual balance can only be worked out with playtesting.

Err, wasn't a multiplier of 1 doesn't change the damage at all? atleast start at 1.05 or 1.1 and even 1.25 multiplier -____-

It is supposed to be like that. The idea is that you have to build up your momentum from zero (i.e. 1x multiplier) all the way up to a big multiplier value, then finish off your wounded opponent with a beautiful coup de grace.

[teStud0]

I really like the concept behind the skill, however I don't think this really fits Mortred's playstyle.

Level 1: 7 attacks give a 2.4x multiplier.
Level 2: 7 attacks give a 3.1x multiplier.
Level 3: 7 attacks give a 3.8x multiplier.

1) Those 7 attacks takes an eternity to accumulate (also bcoz Mortred focuses on raw damage and survivability items), even attacking an enemy creep/neutral would be annoying to start with.

2) It may be more reliable, but still multiplier wise it's underwhelming (7 attacks to deal 171 - 176 damage at level 6 w/out items).

Mortred's playstyle is having maneuverability in combat to pick out lone targets and quickly finish them of with huge crits, simply I don't see this synergistic enough.

[doomsheep]

this spell gets remake suggestions all the time when its actually just fine as it is

o_O

[Terresquall]

I really like the concept behind the skill, however I don't think this really fits Mortred's playstyle.

1) Those 7 attacks takes an eternity to accumulate (also bcoz Mortred focuses on raw damage and survivability items), even attacking an enemy creep/neutral would be annoying to start with.

2) It may be more reliable, but still multiplier wise it's underwhelming (7 attacks to deal 171 - 176 damage at level 6 w/out items).

Mortred's playstyle is having maneuverability in combat to pick out lone targets and quickly finish them of with huge crits, simply I don't see this synergistic enough.

Instead of thinking of it as 1 crit in 7 attacks, think of it as having control over when you want ot crit. You can trigger your crit in about 4 attacks for a 2x to 3x crit if the enemy is weak, or you can stack up a huge x5 or x6 crit for larger, tankier targets or for prolonged fights.

The multiplier data is also wrong. It's actually alot better than what you have quoted. Apologies, as I got the numbers wrong in my initial post.

Mortred also still retains her manuevrability with this remake. She controls when and on who the crit comes out on, simply because she does not lose the critical stack when she changes targets. You can rack up stacks on a tank, and then move on to a weakened INT or AGI target in a clash midway. To me, that's plenty of manuevrability. You are more able to control when the weak, lone targets in the clash will die to your blade.

Finally, thank you for taking time to comment on this

[Sapta]

Is it really possible to control the number of hits that precisely late game particularly with her being transparent? This makes the ulti more interesting but I'm not sure if this is a buff/nerf/neither ^^ I like Mortred the way she is now. I don't want to keep calculating number of strikes she has made.

T-d.

[Nox.knight]

Is that codeable?
T-up, anyway, to change the overused Critical Strike.

[NoThlnG]

The skill is nice, balanced and more unique than before.

However, I think this skill is too complicated. It took me quite a long time to understand it completely....

[drogirant]

The most interesting remake i have seen so far.But to me it seems that the most optimal damage dealing in a prolonged 1v1 fight is simply spamming the ultimate all the time.But you are able to direct the critical to the target you want, like you said build up on the bulky Roof and blink/one-shot Lina.I like the concept very much.Now we need some senseful remake of Blur and Mort becomes one of the most interesting heroes to play.

[cc.jmk!]

I.. overall do like the idea, but unfortunately many people don't know how to speed-count around here u.u

What about a slight remake from what you'd done?

Mortred would hit the target a certain amount of times; THEN release the critical strike for the Coup de Grâce.

Lv1: attacks the target 3 times. The last hit will have a x2.5 critical strike.
Lv2: attacks the target 4 times. The last hit will have a x3.5 critical strike.
Lv3: attacks the target 5 times. The last hit will have a x4.5 critical strike.

Cooldown and MP cost can be later discussed. The idea is that Mortred would hit the target several times, and finally set the (almost for sure :P) killing blow. The Coup de Grâce debuff on the target may last something like 3.5 seconds; so if mortred get's disabled or the target somehow evades the "combo-hitting", he'd save himself from the killing blow.

[OrNy]

T-Up , nice .

[willcruncher]

Current version of skill gives her +45% to OVERALL dmg on average, this is one of the strongest dmg increasing skills in the game. The lack of reliability is a part of balance.
You propose that she can go into battle with 100% probability of releasing ~4x critical, this is way overpowered.

[cuban-communist]

So I get to jungle for 6 seconds, blink to a caster and unload a 5x crit at will?

Yes please. Sounds fair.

[IKisZ-Venezuela]

T-DOWN This skill is perfect as is. Ese skill es perfecto como es.

[Whitefang]

Originally Posted by doomsheep

this spell gets remake suggestions all the time when its actually just fine as it is

o_O

I agree, I think we should more focus on heroes that really need an attention. Not this hero.

Edit; but kudos to OP btw, I know he is trying to make Dota a better game, same as a lot of us.

[BenchBreaker]

t-up too many boring passive crit skills in dota

and its not op es also has a 7s cd controllable 4x crit and this is much harder to get to 4x than totem