Feat Changes Beta Test

[Kagimizu]

As per discussion with the admins, these changes to feats are pending approval. But in order to ensure balance and hash out any potential errors or abuse cases, I'm announcing a period of public beta testing. For the next week- October 25, 2019 to November 1st, 2019- anyone can participate in this beta test by doing an arena battle with another member of the forum and marking it as a "Beta Testing" fight, with their opponent's knowledge and consent.

When doing a "Beta Testing" arena match, both participants are allowed to change out any feats they so choose and replace them with the feats listed in the post linked above. Anyone using old versions of the feats must use the new version for the fight. Weapon specialization feats are all covered under the singular "Weapon Specialization" feat; for example, "Swordsman" is instead "Weapon Specialization (Sword)". As a reward for taking part in this beta testing, once a match is seen to completion both participants earn credits as if the higher tiered suit was defeated (regardless of result), and the amount earned is increased by 50%. For example in a fight between a T4 and T4.5 suit, even if the T4.5 is the victor both participants would earn 1350 credits.

However, the fight must be seen to completion; a forfeit means both participants earn half the winners' spoils, and the person who forfeited cannot participate in another "Beta Testing" arena match. In addition you can only have one "Beta Testing" fight occurring per character, and must see fights through to completion before you can begin another.

At the end of your fight feel free to leave your final thoughts on the new feats, whether or not you think they improve the system, and what you think can be done. That is all, and I hope to see everyone participating.

[Kagimizu]

UPDATE (November 2nd, 2019)

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On account of testing I'm making the following changes to the feats in question:

• Heavy Weapons Specialist
  You do not take penalties sundering with heavy weapons. When attacking with a heavy weapon you can choose to take a -2 penalty to your ER until the start of your next turn; increase your mobile suit damage bonus by half, and on a critical hit your target's Speed is set to 0 for one round.
• Duelist
  If you target only one enemy with melee attacks for two or more rounds, gain a +2 to parry rolls and melee attack rolls so long as you continue attacking that target. You lose this bonus if you change targets, and enemies gain a +2 flanking bonus against you (instead of +1).

In addition, due to lack of testing and participation, I'm doing the following:

1. I am extending testing until November 15th, 2019
2. I am simplifying and amplifying the rewards. Rewards are now double the normal prize for winning an arena match, given to both participants.
3. I am adding in these defensive-oriented feats for testing as well, in the hopes that more variety in feat selection beyond "hit better, hit harder" will drum up a bit more enthusiasm.