With the new beta out, the Survivalist perk has received a nice boost though I still believe it can be enhanced a bit more without causing the class to become over powered. Here are my thoughts.
First, swap out the current damage calculation (0.6% / Level) with the damage calculation from firebug (0.8% / Level). This would at least put the survivalist on the same level of scaling damage as firebugs and field medics with battle surgeon. I don't think that is unreasonable.
Second, and I think this would really help the perk, give the survivalist the scaling reload speed (0.8% / Level, but with all weapons in this case) from the firebug perk. This would make it so that all weapons could be reloaded quickly including weapons not currently listed in the two level 5 skills (such as hemogoblin, eviscerator, firebug weapons and the unique survivalist weapons). This would also allow the two level 5 skills to be changed.
Third, change the two level 5 skills. Though I'm not completely sure what would be fair to sub into the two level 5 skill slots, here are some skills I think would work well with the theme of the perk pulled from other classes.
[Commando] Fallback - Increase damage with your 9mm pistol and knife 50%, and increase weapon switching speed 50%
I feel this ability is thematically on point with the survivalist perk. There is a nice feeling of desperation with fallback, the weapon switch speed is especially a nice touch. The only obvious concern would be how this ability stacks with the newly improved Melee expert ability as both abilities would stack boosting your gore shiv damage by 100%. Though maybe this wouldn't be so bad as it could be something unique to the perk, making survivalist the best knife fighter in the game.
[Commando] Tenacious - Increase total Health and Armor 25% OR [Support] Fortitude - Increase total Health by 50% OR [Berserker] Dreadnaught - Increase total Health by 75%
Again, another ability that feels thematically on point with the survivalist perk. Increased toughness so you live a little longer. Not sure which of the three would be most balanced though, it would probably come down to tenacious or fortitude as I think dreadnaught is a bit too powerful and should stay unique to the berseker.
[Field Medic] Resilience - Increase damage resistance 1% per Health point lost, up to 50% OR [Berserker] Resistance - Gain 20% resistance to all damage. Gain an additional 20% resistance to Poison and Sonic Damage
Another ability that would help keep the survivalist alive. I think resilience would probably be more balanced as you you only gain the resistance at low health and you don't gain the extra bonuses of poison and sonic damage though the only problem with that would be that it doesn't work nicely with the survivalist's heavy body armor
that's it. I would love to see some discussion on this topic. I look forward to seeing what the killing floor community thinks.
Tell me what you think.
First, swap out the current damage calculation (0.6% / Level) with the damage calculation from firebug (0.8% / Level). This would at least put the survivalist on the same level of scaling damage as firebugs and field medics with battle surgeon. I don't think that is unreasonable.
Second, and I think this would really help the perk, give the survivalist the scaling reload speed (0.8% / Level, but with all weapons in this case) from the firebug perk. This would make it so that all weapons could be reloaded quickly including weapons not currently listed in the two level 5 skills (such as hemogoblin, eviscerator, firebug weapons and the unique survivalist weapons). This would also allow the two level 5 skills to be changed.
Third, change the two level 5 skills. Though I'm not completely sure what would be fair to sub into the two level 5 skill slots, here are some skills I think would work well with the theme of the perk pulled from other classes.
[Commando] Fallback - Increase damage with your 9mm pistol and knife 50%, and increase weapon switching speed 50%
I feel this ability is thematically on point with the survivalist perk. There is a nice feeling of desperation with fallback, the weapon switch speed is especially a nice touch. The only obvious concern would be how this ability stacks with the newly improved Melee expert ability as both abilities would stack boosting your gore shiv damage by 100%. Though maybe this wouldn't be so bad as it could be something unique to the perk, making survivalist the best knife fighter in the game.
[Commando] Tenacious - Increase total Health and Armor 25% OR [Support] Fortitude - Increase total Health by 50% OR [Berserker] Dreadnaught - Increase total Health by 75%
Again, another ability that feels thematically on point with the survivalist perk. Increased toughness so you live a little longer. Not sure which of the three would be most balanced though, it would probably come down to tenacious or fortitude as I think dreadnaught is a bit too powerful and should stay unique to the berseker.
[Field Medic] Resilience - Increase damage resistance 1% per Health point lost, up to 50% OR [Berserker] Resistance - Gain 20% resistance to all damage. Gain an additional 20% resistance to Poison and Sonic Damage
Another ability that would help keep the survivalist alive. I think resilience would probably be more balanced as you you only gain the resistance at low health and you don't gain the extra bonuses of poison and sonic damage though the only problem with that would be that it doesn't work nicely with the survivalist's heavy body armor
that's it. I would love to see some discussion on this topic. I look forward to seeing what the killing floor community thinks.
Tell me what you think.