The state of Scarier Face

[HypetheKomodo]

I dunno if this is a good time to make this thread, given all the bug threads and such, but I've been wanting to write about this for a while. Figured with the tournament coming up, why not? So: Scarier Face.

This is a mutation that gives all enemies 20% less HP. This generally results in one less hit to kill normal enemies, and many less hits for bosses. It's hard to overstate how powerful this is, because with all this:

-You save ammo because you're not using as much to kill enemies
-You prevent damage because you're able to clear enemies faster
-You make loops easier to do because it's % based, so the bonus HP will also be reduced
-You make certain weapons more viable for (sometimes much) longer periods of time

Usually I don't like saying there's a mutation that's a 'must have', but Scarier Face is that mutation. It is to me, hands down, the strongest mutation. You could be having a garbage run, nothing but Screwdrivers dropping, maybe a Wrench, then you get to pick Scarier Face and suddenly the run is saved. It just makes things way easier in general.

The thought has slipped into my mind a few times though: Is it -too- powerful? No other mutation gives you a bonus quite like this one. Everything else relies on drops, a proc chance, a specific weapon or you taking damage, but Scarier Face just works immediately, and it's bonus is huge. You need to have a really good reason not to take it when it shows up.

There's a number of things that could be done to make it so that someone doesn't instantly click "Scarier Face" when it shows up, such as lowering the % or making it a boss exclusive bonus or something, but I wanted to see what else everyone thought about the mutation!

[Milk]

Its fine as is. I wouldn't call it "must have" but it's nice combo'd with gamma guts now.

[splendid ledraps]

It should be different for bosses because 20% less hp really is a game changer with bosses; not so much with normal enemies and rather unnecessary is some loadouts.

Reminder that JW took scarier face over plants tb once.

[Anthem Anatheme]

Publicado originalmente por Ledraps: surely 97 will be good:

It should be different for bosses because 20% less hp really is a game changer with bosses; not so much with normal enemies and rather unnecessary is some loadouts.

Reminder that JW took scarier face over plants tb once.

Thats because plants TB can be kinda garbage. Scarier face is in no way better than Bolt Marrow, Long Arms, Laser Brain, Shotgun Shoulders or Rhino Skin. Maybe equally as useful, but doesnt outshine anything else thats actually useable (lookin at you open mind). Doesnt need changing

[kyori]

Have you been deep into the game yet? Scarier face is cool no doubt but it is not a best.

[Milk]

Publicado originalmente por kyori75:

Have you been deep into the game yet? Scarier face is cool no doubt but it is not a best.

He has 208 hours. I think he's balls deep into the game by now.

[HypetheKomodo]

Publicado originalmente por Jack_Blacks_Nipples:

Thats because plants TB can be kinda garbage. Scarier face is in no way better than Bolt Marrow, Long Arms, Laser Brain, Shotgun Shoulders or Rhino Skin. Maybe equally as useful, but doesnt outshine anything else thats actually useable (lookin at you open mind). Doesnt need changing

I...don't think that's true at all. Hell, some of the mutations you listed are way better than others. Regardless, there's some slight variance: You'll take Bolt Marrow if you have a good Bolt weapon. You'll take Laser Brain if you have a good Energy weapon. The issue is: Scarier Face works with -all- weapons, and does not need a specific one to be useful.

Yeah, some of those mutations can be good, and often are, but Scarier Face is -always- good, and always is.

Publicado originalmente por Dank Pingu:

Its fine as is. I wouldn't call it "must have" but it's nice combo'd with gamma guts now.

Yeah, if you're going through loops, pretty important to have Scarier Face if you're rolling with Gamma Guts.

[Cpaz]

I'd say scarrier face and gamme guts are very similar in this reguard. I like that and, personally, wish more mutations were like this.

[kyori]

Publicado originalmente por Dank Pingu:

Publicado originalmente por kyori75:

Have you been deep into the game yet? Scarier face is cool no doubt but it is not a best.

He has 208 hours. I think he's balls deep into the game by now.

Yet he still think scarier face is the best... ok case closed.

[Milk]

Publicado originalmente por kyori75:

Publicado originalmente por Dank Pingu:

He has 208 hours. I think he's balls deep into the game by now.

Yet he still think scarier face is the best... ok case closed.

I mean compared to SS/RS, no. But it is definitely a top tier perk imo.

[HypetheKomodo]

Publicado originalmente por kyori75:

Publicado originalmente por Dank Pingu:

He has 208 hours. I think he's balls deep into the game by now.

Yet he still think scarier face is the best... ok case closed.

Did you come in here just to insult me and whatever experience level I may have, or do you wanna have a discussion as to why my point is wrong?

[Thug Killadome]

Its a good mutation. So what?

[HypetheKomodo]

Publicado originalmente por Submarine Screw:

Its a good mutation. So what?

I just think it's too good, at least compared to all the other mutations that require some sort of condition in order to make it good.

Rhino Skin is probably the other one that can be compared to it side to side. I'm just not a huge fan of 'instant pick' mutations, and thought I would bring it up!

[Milk]

Publicado originalmente por RSCNyx:

Publicado originalmente por Submarine Screw:

Its a good mutation. So what?

I just think it's too good, at least compared to all the other mutations that require some sort of condition in order to make it good.

Rhino Skin is probably the other one that can be compared to it side to side. I'm just not a huge fan of 'instant pick' mutations, and thought I would bring it up!

I don't always instantly pick it. Rabbit paw and bloodlust are pretty comparable imo.

[HypetheKomodo]

Publicado originalmente por Dank Pingu:

Publicado originalmente por RSCNyx:

I just think it's too good, at least compared to all the other mutations that require some sort of condition in order to make it good.

Rhino Skin is probably the other one that can be compared to it side to side. I'm just not a huge fan of 'instant pick' mutations, and thought I would bring it up!

I don't always instantly pick it. Rabbit paw and bloodlust are pretty comparable imo.

Yeah, those are great, but I never considered them as good as Scarier Face, just because they only have a chance to help you. In the long run, they do, but SF has a more consistent benefit right away (Whether it's a better benefit or not may be up to the individual).

That's kinda what I'm bugged with the most with it. It's always useful, and you need nothing to trigger it, unlike around 90% of the mutations. Even Gamma Guts, as good as I think it is, has it's limits.

[Thug Killadome]

Publicado originalmente por RSCNyx:

Publicado originalmente por Submarine Screw:

Its a good mutation. So what?

I just think it's too good, at least compared to all the other mutations that require some sort of condition in order to make it good.

Rhino Skin is probably the other one that can be compared to it side to side. I'm just not a huge fan of 'instant pick' mutations, and thought I would bring it up!

Is there something wrong with a consistent "good" mutation? Plenty of games have "instant pick" options, even this one. You're telling me you wouldn't dump your flare gun for the gatling slugger?
No need to break something that isn't broken.