Handling DPS vs Mechanics

[TheBlastMage]

So I've been enjoying classes like Spellblade and Sniper lately, but a big problem I have with them is that sometimes you just don't have a good "hit from anywhere" type attack. With spellblade especially, if I can't hit with my primary or special then i'm doing 0 damage until it's safe to move back in range of the boss. If I try to use my secondary then the slowdown puts me at high risk of getting hit.

Is this how I should be handling it? waiting until I can use a non-slowing skill, or holding attacks until a slowing skill can be used safely? It just feels bad to not be attacking and often i'm ending fights at sub 200 dps early on, and barely 250dps near the end of stage 1. I only get better dps if i'm lucky with items/upgrades or it's a two boss encounter.

This is all on hard mode if it matters.

[phenir]

200 dps is what I consider the "Base" so if you are reaching that even while not being able to dps occasionally, you're doing fine. A little low but you'll get through.
The way to deal with this is two part. Part one is dodging as little as you need to. Your hitbox is tiny so you can rub right up against those patterns and be fine, use this to stay as on axis with the boss as you can. Also dodging correctly so you can stay on axis or as close to as possible. Good example of this is dragon area boss. One of her patterns spawns two cross explosions + spinning lasers but one of the cross explosions clips her hitbox which would force you off axis, unless you are on the opposite side of the laser that is, where the safe space lets you stand right next to her.
Part two is the boss's hit box is gigantic. It's the entire circle around them outlined with their healthbar, which for some bosses is ridiculously huge and basically impossible to miss. Also, pretty sure some bosses just have less health to account for them being hard to dps sometimes, like the wolf and dragon in outskirts who are complete ♥♥♥♥ to fight as druid but still doable even though one of your attacks is missing 50% of the time.
Also, I lied and there are three parts. The third part is understanding the fight itself, your class, and playing accordingly. If you know the boss has patterns that force you off axis, save your off axis attack for that (sniper special). For spellblade, as long as you aren't sitting on special charges, you are fine since that is where a huge part of her dps comes from. Her special has a pretty big hitbox anyway so you can probably use it even when off axis, it's not like it is assassin's primary.

[TheBlastMage]

Thank you! Definitely gives me some things to work towards. Sometimes I just gotta sit back and work on one thing at a time with this game 'cause it throws so much at you lol.

Now back to figuring out Churchmouse Streets again, that place is confusing

[Blurrg]

How new are you? I think the biggest realization for a lot of people is the hitbox of bosses. There is a relatively large circle around every boss that you can hit to damage them, you do not have to specifically hit their character model. A lot of abilities can also hit from a much farther range than you expect. For example Bruiser Rabbit hits across the screen easily with Primary.

I think if you keep these things in mind learn the mechanics, you'll get used to being able to apply damage for most of every fight in the game. It does certainly get more difficult in harder modes though!

[Samseng Yik]

Nothing much to say aside from "every class got pros and cons".
If every class playing with the same kit, then everyone will go for the same thing and no more gameplay difference

What you want remember is
1) some skills can permanently just hold down the button whatever hard mechanic you doing. These skills don't hinder mobility, neither require attention. They are not top tier DPS skill but is better than nothing. Bonus point if they hit anywhere..

2) Archer horizontal attack vs anywhere attack.
Not too hard to train the habit. Horizontal then primary, else snare 1st then start spam special. Certain situation may have minor down time, thats why your special dealing really really good DPS and have strong much items way to scale it.

3) Spellblade horizontal is uber burst. Ditto just like archer .
The positioning is not as hard as many people think. Like above said, you only need to touch the "circle" around the enemy. this means even Spellblade special mostly has DPS downtime only if you and the target at entirely different corner.

4) Kingdom outskirt DPS requirement is only around 150 (HARD).
You are not in shameful mode if your DPS is 180 this time.
If you able to reach 250 DPS without any item, this is mostly the critical chance is lucky combo with the "right skill rotation" you doing