Vision of Endia Needs a Buff

[raizoir]

Suggested Change for Vision of Endia (was previously just a buff): Attach to target opposing ally. Damage to that ally can't be reduced or prevented, and all combat damage to that ally from your hero is doubled. Your hero can attack allies regardless of stealth during this turn.

Reason: Currently without the change, the card is automatically passed over for the other ally removal/control weapon based heroes have in order to cover stealth, with there being only one exception.

The only competitive deck which I have seen it in is in Baduruu decks. As there no need to worry about stealth since Grundler's Double is the main weapon in this deck, a player can choose to run either Vision of Endia or The Perfect Shot. In comparison, Serena would never be able to swap Assassination for Vision of Endia due to her weaknesses to stealth. Another example is Logan, despite both of his new toys Pithing Spear and Lythian Sledgehammer benefiting from him killing an ally in combat, he is forced to stand there holding his weapon with a big sad puppy dog face and use CB on an ally in stealth like the other warriors. Now of course allies like VA, DT, MH and FT can deal with low health allies with stealth when using Logan, the previous statement was made in regard to matches against Lance and MS.

The Buff: Below I have highlighted the advantages of the buff per weapon based hero which benefits from killing an ally or has to attack allies at some point in a match to keep control of the board:

Serena

• Vision of Endia becomes a viable alternative to Assassination, with each card having advantages and disadvantages.
• Helps improve the playability of Fan of Blades.
• Could support the development of aggro-control Serena decks using Zailen Crusader, Backstab, VoE and FoB for example.
• Could support the development of semi-solo builds in future expansions using VoE, Wily Smuggler, Hit List (RiF), Aldmor Accelerator, FoB/Spirit Shuriken, Black Garb, Metamorphic Cloak and Crimson Vest for example.

Logan (for decks running Pithing Spear)

• Helps improves the playability of Killing Spree. This could encourage builds using a mix of 2x VoE and 2x Killing Spree instead of 4x CB, a mix which is more in line with Logan’s style as the warrior which kills allies. For example, use VoE on an opposing Sandworm, ping Sandworm with Rampant Krygon and kill it with a weapon. This is compared to using CB on Sandworm only for ALR to be used during the next turn, forcing you to use Logan's ability to kill it.

Baduruu

• Slight buff for Baduruu decks running VoE when against decks with stealth, as it will give the opportunity to attack an ally/allies in stealth with the secondary weapons.

Gwen and Darkclaw

• Being able to run VoE instead of the other ally removal/control could support the development of slower builds. In other words, ally based decks in which the hero ability and double attacks are used to assist in controlling the board.

The Nerf: For Baduruu, the only hero who currently uses it, the nerf will have minimal effect. In any match I have seen VoE being played it has always been Baduruu who attacked the ally which VoE is attached to. This minor loss in flexibility can be considered a trade-off for being able to attack allies in stealth with the secondary weapons.

Additional Comments: While the card may be neutral, the restrictive nature of the suggested change will make it useful only to certain weapon heroes with particular builds e.g. Serena running FoB and will save having to make an faction or class copy of the card to help the builds discussed.

[LucasBlitz]

You're basically asking for either Nowhere to Hide + Garth's ability or Layarian Diplomat + Garth's ability to be Vision of Endia.
Sounds OP but I'm all for it.

[tman507]

It's a neutral card, so I doubt they'd ever make it too much stronger. At least it's better now than it was originally, now that it helps ignore damage reduction and immunity.

[Gondorian]

Since the number-one-rated QM player for Season 24 ran 2 copies of this in his deck, I'm inclined to think it's OK. But what others said about it being Neutral is also true.

[raizoir]

You're basically asking for either Nowhere to Hide + Garth's ability or Layarian Diplomat + Garth's ability to be Vision of Endia.
Sounds OP but I'm all for it.

It's a neutral card, so I doubt they'd ever make it too much stronger. At least it's better now than it was originally, now that it helps ignore damage reduction and immunity.

How about also nerfing it by changing any damage being doubled to only weapon damage being doubled? Such a change will still retain the purpose of the card, while limiting the potential for abuse.

Since the number-one-rated QM player for Season 24 ran 2 copies of this in his deck, I'm inclined to think it's OK. But what others said about it being Neutral is also true.

I have checked out some of A1 Otto7’s past games, as it only goes back 5 days I can only see the hero he is using this season so I will assume he used Baduruu in the previous season (plus in one of his replays I saw him use VoE). As I highlighted in my opening comment VoE is a viable card for such decks since Grundler's Double is the main weapon, the other weapon based heroes are however forced to use their other ally control/removal in order to cover stealth. As highlighted by some of the benefits I listed, this current restriction can prevent some builds from emerging, or at the very least be one of the factors limiting such a build.

[Drow37]

Well, one thing is for sure, serena needs some buff vs moonstalker

[jcbow]

Well, one thing is for sure, serena needs some buff vs moonstalker

Why?

[LucasBlitz]

Well, one thing is for sure, serena needs some buff vs moonstalker

Uhuh sure.

[Delay of Game]

Well, one thing is for sure, serena needs some buff vs moonstalker

Well, one thing is for sure, you know not of which you speak

[bobrossw]

Well, one thing is for sure, you know not of which you speak

yup...Garth and Lance have the biggest issues vs Moonstalker, and that's really only because of Bloodpack Shaman. Every other MS build is potentially difficult but counterable by all rogues.

Serena doesn't have huge problems vs Moonstalker in general either. By stealing, forcing discards and countering stealth with cards like assassination and spirit shuriken, Serena is able to achieve 40-60% win rates vs most Moonstalker decks.

The only exception IMO is undead moonstalker - which is probably closer to a 30-40% win rate (grave resistance makes it too hard to kill allies without removal cards, which then leaves you vulnerable to stealth).

If you've got 2x Sorceror of Endia, you should have decent odds vs a Millstalker deck as well.