5V5. I'm still not sure how to feel about this. The DMF is interesting to me with re-spawning on the VP, however, between that and the 5V5 Realms announcement, I get the feeling we're not seeing Souls until April at the earliest. I won't rathole on that, so let's get into this week's column.
So the DMF: Houston, a skip, hop and jump away from me, is allowing us to take full advantage of the VP as a re-spawn point. While some people think this is super cool, my first thought is, well, I don't plan on dying so why should that benefit me? Now for reality, you know you're gonna lose someone. It's nearly impossible to never have a mini die.
So what type of team benefits the most from this mechanic? My thinking immediately is anyone with range, or anyone with speed to close the gap. The Map, if you haven't seen it, is one of my favorites:
There is a lot of limitations this map has if you plan on camping the VP, such as giant walls around you making it feel like you are Leonidas in 300. Alternatively, re-spawning on the VP allows you close access to cover or high ground almost immediately.
So, if we were to look at having both a Melee character with some speed, and a ranged character with some solid DPS, we might end up playing something like this:
So, we have two of the more stout minis in our Party now. Amalar with Hand can become a beat stick. Mortal Strike is superb with him, and he has a ton of health to survive a beating while dishing it right back out at people. Add to that he can't e ticked up or moved and it's a solid choice for scrumming in the middle. I was originally thinking Cairne, but then looking over the map, there would have to be a lot of damage for his ability to kick you off the board.
Next, we have the most powerful mini in the game, Mortimer. Sure, triple Mortimer will be played and be dominant, but in this scenario, he's gonna be our DPS character, and I'm just flat tired of trip morts :-) Mortimer brings Jhuroon, who will greatly benefit fro mthe close quarters combat in the center, as well as his devilishly damaging curses an demonic circles for zipping away behind all those hills and forests.
So who do we bring as a third? Well, I've always like the number 9...
Yes, now we are sitting at 20 honor, with amazing options, 24 if you use the hand, and that's still not bad or unmanageable. We have the best pet in the game in the board, the best mini for the horde on the board, a massive warrior, and they can now all crit on 9s! Add to that that Morova herself is hard to kill alone, and she can use starfire and starburst, well, it's just all that more jucier!
This team will be good in any regular scenario, but for this one, Amalar's ability and health will allow him to mix it up in the middle if he has to re-spawn., while Morova and Mortimer's range will benefit your DPS. Mortimer will become a downright pinball if played right.
What's your thoughts on the team and the re-spawning option in the scenario? Do you like the map or do you see challenges inherently built in already?
Best of luck preparing for Houston, I look forward to seeing everyone there!
