Reasoning behind duration for swapping wargear

[ytimk]

This is just coming from a curious watcher and not a player, to not just the modders but players themselves.

What is the reasoning behind the time duration for players to switch wargear on their commander? Not being snarky, merely curious. Each piece of wargear is an investment made by a player, and I’m intrigued by the possibility that they could swap them out faster and employ more diverse commander capabilities on the field.

I’m not asking for instantaneous swaps, but it looks like the average is 20 seconds, and in a game this fast paced I assume it’s not quick enough for players to make very responsive choices and counters.

I just think it has the possibility to introduce more dynamism and incentive for a variety of wargear to be employed. Might see some uncommon ones see the light of day more?

[Caeltos]

It's mostly just to prevent exploitation and abusive mechanics. Most buff durations are also around the 15-20s duration as well, but you can still micro-manage and make it work.

[ytimk]

Thanks Caeltos - I can see how that would work now and really fuck up balanced competitive play. I've just tested with changing the times on wargear a bit and I think if you swap them out and back again the ability timer resets (?). Energy use aside, it would suck to be constantly hit by the Emperor's Wrath barrage .

[Torpid]

All three of the lord commy's accessories are practically made for constant switching. Not to mention swapping between flak jacket for the better execute and the carapace armour for the extra health regen. PC is another hero who is very good with multiple wargears.

[Surprise Attack!]

CS as well

Though more due to the fact that you probably buy more than one item in any game with the sorc.

[Cheekie Monkie]

On the topic of wargear switching, how much success has other players have with it? I recognise the value in theory, but seeing as not only is it quite a bit of resource sink, it also requires both good (and lucky) timing, so much so that I'm unsure as to the value of it. Potential examples:

TM: Mark Target -> bionics, both for the regen and the knockback. Or ranged weapon -> axe, as an SM 'slaughter' option.

Apo: Heal -> stim. Heal up, take advantage of the lower cooldown, then immediately switch to stims. Fights don't usually last long enough for stims to take its full effect, however.

BC: Teleporter -> undending purge OR canticool -> blessed aegis. A relatively easy switch; simply take advantage of an accessory's ability (canticool/teleport), preferably halfway in the midst of switching to a regen option.

Thoughts?

[Torpid]

I think in most instances the potential boon is hardly even worth the mental energy needed to focus on it and keep note of the timings.

[Vapor]

Sorceror: teleport -> chains -> abyss