End-game balance

[Techno Email]

Please check out my post here for more info. on my take on balancing PL classes:
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...l=1#post882120

TLDR: Balance is an ongoing process for MMOs.

Here's what changes have happened since the above post:
1. Two new classes.
2. Small damage reduction to some weapons throughout the game.
3. Damage increased on Archer's end-game crafted bow.

Stop the record... (Refer to the above link for more info. on the process I step through next.)

1. These changes have had some time to bake.

2. Here's my observation:
- Archer's do very high damage with full end-game gear.
- Rhinos feel less powerful than old classes in end-game PVP.
- DANG we deal a lot of damage in the end-game.

3. Here's my evaluation:

Archer's do very high damage with full end-game gear
I think this is due to the combination of the itemset bonus changes and the crafted end-game bow damage changes. Before these changes were made people were unhappy with the Archer PVE experience. I felt the end-game PVE experience was too difficult for Enchantresses and Archers, so I made the changes mentioned above. I think it's better now. Please read the post linked above for my take on balancing end-game PVE and PVP. I understand that the change has also made Archer's uber powerful in PVP. I also think that Enchantresses are uber powerful in PVP, and so are Warriors. I agree that being one-hit sucks, and I'll speak more to that.

Rhinos feel less powerful than old classes in end-game PVP
Valiant rings can make or break a fight. The new classes can not achieve this bonus until they obtain two elite level cap items. End game characters who do not have any valiant rings, don't have this bonus. [The End.] New classes can't get valiant rings yet, but they can get elite level cap items to help build their path to victory!! Is reaching the elite level cap not your jam? No worries!! Our internal tests showed the Rhino to be pretty survivable in end-game PVE content, so farm away my single-horned animal friends!

DANG we deal a lot of damage in the end-game
Being one-hit sucks.

4. Here are the actions I'd like to take:
- I'd like to increase the defensive stats on the legendary gear sets in the next expansion, and see how it plays out in both PVE and PVP gameplay.
- If you have a Rhino or Fox and you wish you had a valiant ring, I'd suggest working towards the elite level cap.

If this list of actions seems short, please refer to the above link for more info. on why.