The Steel Path. Can we revisit it?

[Sexy Mooska]

The Steel path is an amazing idea. But for me its not actually fun to play. Or I'm the kind of player that doesn't enjoy.

That Said. If The Steel path was normal mid-range hit-points for all enemies, but their damage was significantly increased, there were new nightmare mission like effects on every node. It would be interesting. it would change some game play and frame choices. It might actually add some game play elements back that have been lost

[Drillbo Baggins]

The problem with steel path is, the enemies are unreasonably tanky, and the rewards are absolute crap, unless you need kuva. I personally don't mind the damage they do because I do like the increased difficulty, but the increased armor and shields are a bit too much. This results in 80% of the warframes in the game being useless because theres only a few viable options for steel path.

Sure I could just bring loki with duration build and stay invisible the whole time for most of the steel path content, but that gets boring fast.

[Donitsi]

Messaggio originale di Captain Skidmark:

Sure I could just bring loki with duration build and stay invisible the whole time for most of the steel path content, but that gets boring fast.

This is my problem. People do say that you can use any weapon or warframe and you'll be fine... well I really doubt I use Burston Prime to kill +100 level SP Grineers. What they really should say is "take any weapon or warframe you like because you speed run missions anyway. You don't have to kill anything to complete them."

I remember when T4 Void keys were added. Enemies dealt +300% more damage and that was plenty fun challenge and they weren't too tanky.

[Sceles]

Messaggio originale di Captain Skidmark:

The problem with steel path is, the enemies are unreasonably tanky, and the rewards are absolute crap, unless you need kuva. I personally don't mind the damage they do because I do like the increased difficulty, but the increased armor and shields are a bit too much. This results in 80% of the warframes in the game being useless because theres only a few viable options for steel path.

Sure I could just bring loki with duration build and stay invisible the whole time for most of the steel path content, but that gets boring fast.

The only reason SP exists is because people kept saying: "Please give us hard mode. We don't care about rewards, we just want to have a chance to die and for enemies to take more than one hit!" and DE delivered. It's basically for people who have maxed out their builds to an extent where regular content offers no challenge to them. If you find SP enemies tanky that means you have not reached that point yet.

[Security Cam #7]

Messaggio originale di Sceles:

Messaggio originale di Captain Skidmark:

The problem with steel path is, the enemies are unreasonably tanky, and the rewards are absolute crap, unless you need kuva. I personally don't mind the damage they do because I do like the increased difficulty, but the increased armor and shields are a bit too much. This results in 80% of the warframes in the game being useless because theres only a few viable options for steel path.

Sure I could just bring loki with duration build and stay invisible the whole time for most of the steel path content, but that gets boring fast.

The only reason SP exists is because people kept saying: "Please give us hard mode. We don't care about rewards, we just want to have a chance to die and for enemies to take more than one hit!" and DE delivered. It's basically for people who have maxed out their builds to an extent where regular content offers no challenge to them. If you find SP enemies tanky that means you have not reached that point yet.

This

[Sexy Mooska]

I just feel it would have been so much more engaging if it had really changed the game beyond having min/maxed equipment.

If it disabled all mod bonuses that gave your gear a % increase. It would drastically change the way the game is played and cut down on the need to tank everything up. They might actually have to remove level all together on the enemies and just give them all set values. It would actually be interesting to see the game through that lens.

Certain gear and effects would be more useful again. Machine guns might be worth running again. You wouldn't be able to duration Loki anymore and run the whole map invisible. It would limit the usage of area effect frames away from just laying waste to entire maps and never firing a round. Stealth kills would be useful again outside of rescue missions.

[KitKat]

Messaggio originale di Sceles:

It's basically for people who have maxed out their builds to an extent where regular content offers no challenge to them. If you find SP enemies tanky that means you have not reached that point yet.

And what if I have maxed out my builds on *multiple* frames to an extent where SP offers no challenge? :D

Also... The sole reason why absolutely LOVE Steel Path is the fact that I can finally have full amounts of enemies(like for a full squad) to spawn while playing solo(the only way I play). All I wish for is this being available as an optional switch on regular missions too - "Spawn full-squad enemies while solo". I'm tired of having to actively seek out enemies on regular Survivals, for example. I want lots of enemies to spawn and give me those sweet survival canisters so I don't have to use the big ones! >:C

[Sexy Mooska]

Messaggio originale di KitKat:

Messaggio originale di Sceles:

It's basically for people who have maxed out their builds to an extent where regular content offers no challenge to them. If you find SP enemies tanky that means you have not reached that point yet.

And what if I have maxed out my builds on *multiple* frames to an extent where SP offers no challenge? :D

Also... The sole reason why absolutely LOVE Steel Path is the fact that I can finally have full amounts of enemies(like for a full squad) to spawn while playing solo(the only way I play). All I wish for is this being available as an optional switch on regular missions too - "Spawn full-squad enemies while solo". I'm tired of having to actively seek out enemies on regular Survivals, for example. I want lots of enemies to spawn and give me those sweet survival canisters so I don't have to use the big ones! >:C

That's actually pretty cool. Also that feature would be a good way to ramp the difficulty.

[Drillbo Baggins]

Messaggio originale di Sceles:

Messaggio originale di Captain Skidmark:

The problem with steel path is, the enemies are unreasonably tanky, and the rewards are absolute crap, unless you need kuva. I personally don't mind the damage they do because I do like the increased difficulty, but the increased armor and shields are a bit too much. This results in 80% of the warframes in the game being useless because theres only a few viable options for steel path.

Sure I could just bring loki with duration build and stay invisible the whole time for most of the steel path content, but that gets boring fast.

If you find SP enemies tanky that means you have not reached that point yet.

Completely untrue. I find regular content quite boring because of how easy the enemies are. I do endurance runs no problem and kill enemies like they are melted butter. Steel path just takes it too far and the rewards arent even worth it, so I'm stuck playing boring content forever until they make steel path something worth playing.

[KitKat]

Messaggio originale di Captain Skidmark:

Messaggio originale di Sceles:

If you find SP enemies tanky that means you have not reached that point yet.

Completely untrue. I find regular content quite boring because of how easy the enemies are. I do endurance runs no problem and kill enemies like they are melted butter. Steel path just takes it too far and the rewards arent even worth it, so I'm stuck playing boring content forever until they make steel path something worth playing.

There are plenty of ways to make those "tanky" enemies non-tanky anymore.

a) Eazy ways via modding stuff
- Stacking 10 Corrosive procs = 80% armor strip. The remaining 20% armor is already low enough for Corrosive damage itself to finish em off ez.
- Heat procs also burn that armor down further. PLENTY of status-based weapons that can stack those procs in no time. Try Cedo's alt-fire with Multishot and status mods. Lots and lots of statuses. Also, abilities can add heat procs too (Fire Walker from Nezha, for example, which can be subsumed to other frames - or Gauss's Themral Sunder which also can be put on other frames too).
- Corrosive Projection aura
- Shattering Impact mod
- Sharpened Claws kavat mod/"ability"
- Amalgam Argonak Metal Auger, if you don't mind using Argonak.

b) Plenty of abilities to deal with armor (most of them can strip 100% of the armor), on multiple frames, including those that can be subsumed via Helminth:
- Nyx's Psychic Bolts
- Ash's Shuriken (with augment tho and single target, so meh, but still counts! also can be subsumed)
- Banshee's Sonic Boom (with augment)
- Ember's Fire Blast (can be subsumed)
- Frost's Avalanche
- Gauss's Thermal Sunder (Just double cast it - frost+heat = blast proc and armor strip)
- Hildryn's Pillage (can be subsumed)
- Hydroid's Tempest Barrage (with augment)
- Mag's Polarize and Crush with augment
- Nekros' Terrify (can be subsumed)
- Oberon's Reckoning
- Trinity's Link (with augment)
- Vauban's Bastille
- Xaku's Gaze (can strip up to 100% of enemy "defenses" - both armor and shield)

c) Focus, Unairu, Sundering Dash strips 75% armor from enemies on dash through them.

d) You can also simply IGNORE armor entirely and go for stacking 10 Viral procs, then follow up with slashes. Yes, SLASH PROCS (not raw slash dmg from your weapon itself) IGNORE ARMOR and directly damage health under it via "True" damage. While 10 viral procs boost it(325% boost at 10 procs).
Plenty of ability/weapon combos that can do that. Here's a few examples:
- Cedo modded for Viral+Multishot+status chance. Alt fire and lots of enemies will have Viral procs (along with other, base status procs, which is good for Condition Overload).
- Alternatively try Ignis (Wraith) modded for Viral+Heat+status chance.
- Alternatively tru Kuva Nukor for lots of statuses too.
- ANd so on, so forth. You get the basic idea - "prime" enemies with statuses... Then...
- Then follow-up with heavy attack throw build on Glaive Prime which you detonate mid-flight (next to enemy) for that VERY strong forced slash-proc.
- Alternatively to Glaive you have Quassus (Xaku's warfran) - it throws 6/12 darts on heavy attack that all have forced slash procs.
- Alternatively try Reaper Prime with either physical+viral OR purely physical with focus on slash+status. With Blood Rush/Gladiator set mods(on Deconstructor/Prime, which is Helios/Prime weapon and equips melee mods)/Weeping Wounds/Condition Overload it's red crits and huge slash procs that melt enemies even without Virals.
- Alternatively try Venka Prime with a similar build (blood rush and the rest). Or Kronen Prime. Or Nikana Prime. Or Orthos Prime. Or Lesion. Or Dual Kamas Prime. Or Pennant(heavy attack build). Or many more other melee weapons.

It's called... Using all the mechanics that you are given. There are plenty. Also, specializing for the enemy you're fighting against and using the right tools for the job.

Also... it's "meta". And right now, meta for high level/Steel Path enemies is Viral+Heat. "Priming" enemies with those statuses, then forcing slashes on them. Grineer/Infested/Corrupted melt on Steel Path. Otherwise... You'll struggle with that stuff. Statuses and bonuses from them are currently better than modding for raw damage.

For Corpus... Well. Just either go full Toxin to entirely ignore Shields them OR Magnetic+Toxin OR +Viral(possible on some weapons). Magnetic deals with shields fast, viral is good against corpus flesh. Plus there are abilities that strip shields from enemies - Hildryn, Mag and some others. Or just.. avoid corpus missions. Because ♥♥♥♥ corpus and their nullifying units xD

[lobstermadness]

1. SP is far from perfect but it is a great way to test builds and far better than the simulcrum. 2. Teshin's Umbra mod rewards are worth it, but otherwise yea.

re: Corpus in Steel Path. They are difficult because you will be surrounded by BOTH long range rifles from all directions AND nullifier bubbles. After 30 minutes, Corpus SP will kill your frame unless you run stealth and constantly avoid the bubbles. Some use rolling guard but that is tedious.

[Taka]

the enemies are tanky? didn't notice.
Vaubahn. bastille. nukor. everything is dead in an instant. yw

[nullpo]

Nah, i think they need new type of enemy beside the acolyte to make steel path more for broader audience. just don't use lazy designed enemies like arbit drone

[Donitsi]

Messaggio originale di nullpo:

Nah, i think they need new type of enemy beside the acolyte to make steel path more for broader audience. just don't use lazy designed enemies like arbit drone

Would be nice to have enemies that give stun immunity to others but does not offer damage protection and vise versa. Protects from ability damage and debuffs but they can be stunned and ragdolled.

Is it only the enemies that need changing? I think missions need to offer danger and challenge too not just the enemy. Something like
1)Cameras and sensors are invincible in most missions
2)Exterminate missions:
-Add some sensors here and there (Grineers lack cameras) and if they detect players doors will be locked and they are attacked by 3-6 Manics or miniboss spawns

I seriously think buffing enemies isn't the only thing that can be done. Sure, it's the easiest thing to do. Changing numbers in the code but I want my surroundings to be potential danger as well.

MAKE FALLING INTO A PIT OR ENDLESS FALL KILL YOU INSTEAD OF TELEPORTING PLAYER BACK!!

[Katzh]

it's the STEEL path, not the Fluffy path

[lobstermadness]

"Vaubahn. bastille. nukor. everything is dead in an instant" in SP? Depends on the enemy type and how you deal with toxin and nullifiers. The bastille can only freeze so many at one time and then they will corner you. Your pants are on fire.