Solve locked combat veteran problem

[Strongpoint]

Three classes (IIRC) have locked combat veteran - summoner, shadowblade and arcane blade.

For each of them it is a clear waste of a category point. I think it should be either removed or unlocked or buffed to make it worth a category point unless reason for this talent tree is to make NPC of those classes weaker.

[Razakai]

People have been floating the idea of Combat Veteran buffs for a long time. It's a pretty dull and underwhelming tree, yet annoyingly required for some classes with high stamina costs. Although regardless Summoner probably shouldn't have it and should get other locked trees instead - very bizarre placement on them.

[Strongpoint]

I am afraid that if we will buff combat veteran to a level that will make players consider taking it in place for arcane blade goods it will overbuff classes that have it by default.

BTW, I kinda like a tree that gives only passive benefits and never found it dull.

[Micbran]

I find the tree dull. Unlike the reaver reaving combat tree, it's a nearly 100% what I call a "passive passive." Passives that are simply there and don't really interact with the player.

The stamina regen is useful on a lot of classes, since stamina regen isn't an easy stat to find.

The life regen is isn't too bad, coupled with a good heal mod and some form of damage mitigation it becomes quite handy.

Spell save is... Meh. Saves aren't too useful, since most enemies who apply powerful magical debuffs have a lot of spell power and possibly spell shock.

Stamina on kill is good in extended fights with large groups of mobs but that kind of thing rarely appears. In my opinion, you're more likely to run out of stamina in a boss fight (1v1) than a large group of mobs. Unless the mobs happen to be exceptionally powerful (vault) but most people who open vaults have some sort of plan regarding funneling and or an escape.

Ultimately, it offers some decent stats, but is overall lackluster to me.

[Razakai]

The obvious comparison is to Skirmisher's equivalent tree, which is pretty much a better clone, albeit for ranged classes. It's still life regen/stamina, but at least has something more interesting going on than a flat +x value. Something more along that line would be my suggestion. I'm really not a fan of abilities that are just 'gain +x stat'.

[grayswandir]

If I remember right, Fortescue specifically designed that tree as a better replacement for combat veteran.

[Strongpoint]

I think spell shield can be buffed by adding arcana and blight resistance to it. Few percent of both can be very useful in some situations. And I want a way to enjoy Aether Permeation with more classes.

Unending frenzy is a skill I almost never take... Maybe replace it with a leadership skill that somehow buffs your allies in LOS? Yeeks and thalores will like it. Summoning artefacts may become more interesting AND summoners will get a real reason to get the tree. And many adventurers will enjoy playing with it. 5 levels of the skill may allow to summon an ally to make it even more interesting even if it goes against the spirit of all passive skill. It fits the theme because combat veterans attract young adventurers to follow them.

[HousePet]

Spell save is... Meh. Saves aren't too useful, since most enemies who apply powerful magical debuffs have a lot of spell power and possibly spell shock.

If you neglect Spell Save, then yes they do Spellshock.

[Micbran]

Spell save is... Meh. Saves aren't too useful, since most enemies who apply powerful magical debuffs have a lot of spell power and possibly spell shock.

If you neglect Spell Save, then yes they do Spellshock.

Whoops. I meant that certain talents have bonus spellpower attached to them for the purpose of applying status.

[HousePet]

Really? Which ones?

[Micbran]

There's one in meta for the purpose of applying spell shock and doombringer has one on its flame strike thingy IIRC.