Ninja Assault (alternatively, Shinobi Assault) is another proposal for a 'natural' themed primary. This set is based on the Katana/Ninja Blade set with additional ranged attacks, and is specifically intended as a counterpart to the existing Martial Assault set.
In my view, sets can be divided into (among other categories) standard and non-standard types, where 'non-standard' in this case means either a) sets that have a specific set-wide gimmick like a stacks/combo system, or b) that simply have a larger fraction of powers that operate in mechanically unusual ways or are otherwise not 'regular' attacks/controls/support powers/etc for their set type. (Note that many sets have a couple of 'non-standard' powers, what would make a *set* non-standard is if it has significantly more of those than usual.) Martial Assault is an example of a non-standard set, in that 6 out of the 9 powers are non-standard in some way (chain, facing cone, snipe, ranged attack with splash, non-standard buildup, caltrops). The existence of sets like these is not a problem, and in fact many (though by no means all) of the sets released later in the game's lifespan fall into this category. However, it is IMO important to have a variety of both types of sets so as to fit different playstyle preferences; standard sets fill an important playstyle niche, and the game should not only contain non-standard sets any more than it should only contain standard ones.
As such, I think that there should exist a 'standard' natural/ninja themed counterpart to the non-standard Martial Assault, and this is what Ninja Assault is intended to be. This set includes only two non-standard powers, and mostly contains relatively straightforward attacks. This set also fills somewhat of a
thematic counterpart niche; where Martial Assault is martial arts plus shurikens, Ninja Assault is katana/ninja blade plus throwing knives, covering the 'other' stereotypical ninja weapon and giving more thematic variety in the available sets. Like Gun Fu, the non-katana attacks in this set are intended to animate with the katana still held in the off-hand, so as to avoid redraw.
The power listing for Ninja Assault is as follows:
Ninja Assault (or Shinobi Assault)
1 Flashing Blade T1 ranged attack
1 Gambler's Cut T1 melee attack
2 Steel Wind Ranged cone
6 Soaring Dragon T2 melee attack
8 Scorpion's Sting T2 ranged attack
12 Chi Strike Buildup variant
18 The Lotus Drops PBAoE
26 Caltrops
32 Golden Dragonfly T3 melee attackPowerset Description:
Ninja AssaultYour mastery of the ways of Ninja Assault allows you to dispatch opponents with lethal grace, cutting down foes with the razor edge of your Ninja Blade and delivering death from afar with throwing knives. Your attacks often carry additional poison damage over time, and can also knock opponents down or reduce their defense.
Quote[1] Flashing Blade
Ranged, Minor DMG (Lethal), DoT(Toxic)
You quickly strike a distant foe with a throwing knife, inflicting minor Lethal damage with a chance of dealing additional Toxic damage over time. Damage: Minor, Recharge: Fast
Cast time: 1.0 sec
Endurance Cost: 5.2
Recharge Time: 4 sec
Range: 80 ft
Allowed slotting: Endredux, Recharge, Damage, Accuracy
Allowed sets: Ranged Damage, Universal Damage, Archetype Origin
Effects:
52.83 Lethal damage (scale 1.0)
4 * 5.28 Toxic damage every 1s over 3.1s (after 0.5s delay, 80% chance, cancelonmiss) (4x scale 0.1)
(Notes: Basic ranged attack, similar to martial assault's shuriken throw. The DoT secondary effect scale from shuriken throw is used as a template for DoT secondary effects elsewhere in the set. Uses the 'Throwing Knife' origin power FX and the right-handed-throw-with-katana-in-left-hand animation that power uses when you have a katana drawn.)
Quote[1] Gambler's Cut
Melee, Moderate DMG (Lethal), DoT(Toxic), Foe -Defense
You perform a quick slash with your katana. This attack is very fast and deals moderate damage, with a chance of dealing additional Toxic damage over time. This attack can reduce a target's Defense, making them easier to hit. Damage: Moderate, Recharge: Moderate
Cast time: 0.67 sec
Endurance Cost: 6.84
Recharge Time: 6 sec
Range: 7 ft
Allowed slotting: Endredux, Recharge, Damage, Accuracy, Defense Debuff
Allowed sets: Melee Damage, Defense Debuff, Accurate Defense Debuff, Universal Damage, Archetype Origin
Effects:
77.07 Lethal damage (scale 1.32)
4 * 2.92 Toxic damage every 1s over 3.1s (after 0.5s delay, 80% chance, cancelonmiss) (4x scale 0.05)
-4.5% Base Defense for 6s (scale 0.6)
(Notes: Standard 6s melee attack based on Katana's Gambler's Cut. Effectively has two 'half strength' secondary effects.)
Quote[2] Steel Wind
Ranged Cone, Moderate DMG (Lethal), DoT(Toxic)
You fling a volley of throwing knives in a single motion, striking all enemies in a cone in front of you. This attack deals moderate Lethal damage, with a chance of dealing additional Toxic damage over time. Damage: Moderate, Recharge: Slow
Cast time: 1.33 sec
Endurance Cost: 15.18
Recharge Time: 16 sec
Area: 40 ft / 30 deg cone
Allowed slotting: Endredux, Recharge, Damage, Accuracy
Allowed sets: Targeted AoE Damage, Universal Damage, Archetype Origin
Effects:
64.45 Lethal damage (scale 1.22)
4 * 5.28 Toxic damage every 1s over 3.1s (after 0.5s delay, 80% chance, cancelonmiss) (4x scale 0.1)
(Notes: Ranged cone with dot secondary effect. Uses the 'multiple throwing knife' FX from the cone attack that some snake minions have, and uses one of several right handed wave animations such as psi melee's psi blade or broadsword's hack or slash.)
Quote[6] Soaring Dragon
Melee, High DMG (Lethal), DoT(Toxic), Foe -Defense, Knockup
You perform a powerful Soaring Dragon maneuver that deals a great amount of damage, with a chance of dealing additional Toxic damage over time, and can also knock a target up into the air. This attack can reduce a target's Defense, making them easier to hit. Damage: High, Recharge: Slow
Cast time: 1.33 sec
Endurance Cost: 10.192
Recharge Time: 10 sec
Range: 7 ft
Allowed slotting: Endredux, Recharge, Damage, Accuracy, Defense Debuff
Allowed sets: Melee Damage, Defense Debuff, Accurate Defense Debuff, Universal Damage, Archetype Origin
Effects:
114.44 Lethal damage (scale 1.96)
4 * 2.92 Toxic damage every 1s over 3.1s (after 0.5s delay, 80% chance, cancelonmiss) (4x scale 0.05)
Knockup (mag 4.15, 75% chance)
-4.5% Base Defense for 10s (scale 0.6)
(Notes: Standard 10s melee attack based on Katana's Soaring Dragon. Effectively has two 'half strength' secondary effects.)
Quote[8] Scorpion's Sting
Ranged, Minor DMG (Lethal), Moderate DoT(Toxic), Foe Slow, -Damage(all), Hold
You take aim and strike a target with a throwing knife coated in a larger amount of debilitating poison. This attack inflicts minor Lethal damage on impact before inflicting moderate Toxic damage over time. The poison additionaly will weaken the target, Slowing their movement and reducing the amount of damage they deal, and may even briefly Hold the target paralyzed and helpless. Damage: High, Recharge: Slow
Cast time: 1.33 sec
Endurance Cost: 10.192
Recharge Time: 10 sec
Range: 80 ft
Allowed slotting: Endredux, Recharge, Damage, Accuracy, Hold, Slow
Allowed sets: Ranged Damage, Hold, Slow, Universal Damage, Archetype Origin
Effects:
52.83 Lethal damage (scale 1.0)
5 * 11.62 Toxic damage every 1s over 4.1s (after 0.5s delay) (5x scale 0.22)
-24% slow (run/jump/fly) for 15s (scale 0.3)
-11.25% damage for 15s (scale 1.5)
7.45s Hold (mag 3, scale 5, 50% chance)
(Notes: Ranged attack based somewhat on spines' impale. Uses the 'Throwing Knife' origin power FX and probably the broad sword hack animation.)
Quote[12] Chi Strike
Self +DMG, +To Hit, Special
You concentrate your Chi to allow you to channel your soul into your strikes. For a short time you will gain a moderate increase to your damage and chance to hit. Additionally, for this period your sword and knife attacks will have a portion of their Lethal damage changed into Energy damage, with a small amount of additional bonus Energy damage added. Recharge: Long
Cast time: 0.73 sec
Endurance Cost: 5.2
Recharge Time: 90 sec
Allowed slotting: Endredux, Recharge, Tohit Buff
Allowed sets: Tohit Buff
Effects:
+8.5% ToHit for 20s
+34% Dmg (All Types) for 20s
Special: For 20s, converts 50% of lethal damage on the set's other attacks to energy, with a 5% bonus (i.e. 50% lethal, 55% energy, 105% damage total). Uses the same mechanics as fiery embrace.
(Notes: Modified buildup. Half strength, double duration, with special effect.)
Quote[18] The Lotus Drops
Melee (PBAoE), Moderate DMG (Lethal), DoT(Toxic), Foe -Defense
You perform The Lotus Drops maneuver, attacking all foes in melee range. This attack has a chance of dealing additional Toxic damage over time and reduces their Defense. Damage: Moderate, Recharge: Slow
Cast time: 1.83 sec
Endurance Cost: 18.152
Recharge Time: 20 sec
Area: 15 ft radius
Allowed slotting: Endredux, Recharge, Damage, Accuracy, Defense Debuff
Allowed sets: PBAoE Damage, Defense Debuff, Accurate Defense Debuff, Universal Damage, Archetype Origin
Effects:
64.229 Lethal damage (scale 1.1)
4 * 2.92 Toxic damage every 1s over 3.1s (after 0.5s delay, 80% chance, cancelonmiss) (4x scale 0.05)
-4.5% Base Defense for 10s (scale 0.6)
(Notes: Standard assault set PBAoE, based on katana's The Lotus Drops. Effectively has two 'half strength' secondary effects.)
Quote[26] Caltrops
Ranged (Location AoE), Minor DoT(Lethal), Foe -Speed
You toss a handful of Caltrops at a targeted location and spread the tiny metal spikes over a large area. Any enemy that passes over the Caltrops will be forced to move at a slower rate. They will also take some trivial Lethal damage over time. Damage: Minor(DoT), Recharge: Slow
Cast time: 1.07 sec
Endurance cost: 7.8
Recharge time: 45 sec
Range: 25 ft (summon range)
Area: 15 ft (effect radius)
Allowed slotting: Slow, Endredux, Range, Recharge, Damage
Allowed sets: TAoE Damage, Slow, Universal Damage
Effects:
Summon Caltrops (2.78 lethal damage/sec, -80% runspeed, -3.5% max runspeed, -50000% jumpheight, mag 50 avoid)
(Notes: Carbon copy of standard caltrops power.)
Quote[32] Golden Dragonfly
Melee, Extreme DMG (Lethal), Foe Knockdown, -Defense
You perform a devastating Golden Dragonfly attack that deals a massive amount of damage, has a chance of dealing additional Toxic damage over time, and can even knock a foe down to the ground and reduce it's Defense. The power of this attack can actually extend a short distance through multiple foes. Damage: Extreme, Recharge: Slow
Cast time: 1.83 sec
Endurance Cost: 13.52
Recharge Time: 14 sec
Area: 8 ft / 35deg melee cone
Allowed slotting: Endredux, Recharge, Damage, Accuracy, Defense Debuff
Allowed sets: PBAoE Damage, Defense Debuff, Accurate Defense Debuff, Universal Damage, Archetype Origin
Effects:
151.81 Lethal damage (scale 2.6)
4 * 2.92 Toxic damage every 1s over 3.1s (after 0.5s delay, 80% chance, cancelonmiss) (4x scale 0.05)
Knockback (mag 0.67, 60% chance)
-4.5% Base Defense for 10s (scale 0.6)
(Notes: Slightly modified version of katana's golden dragonfly. Effectively has two 'half strength' secondary effects.)
