I would like to suggest some buffs for chain blade to make it more usable in higher end content.
Chain largely suffers from low mobility and high commit to various attacks. Its main weakness (and why it's rarely used for damage) is the very high commit that its skills impose and lack of ability to do high sustained DPS to bosses. This is a big problem, especially in NA region where ping is higher and therefore the problem is bigger. Depending on latency, these buffs might not be needed, so these suggestions might only be applicable to NA region and KR (with low ping) could skip them.
Chain Impale
Damage 850% -> 1050%
+ 200% additional damage to targets with Death Mark
+ Reduce attack animation time by 30%
This is one of Chain's best skills, but it doesn't work too well against bosses in the current environment. Adding a small amount of additional damage to make the skill a bit better in general, and another 200% damage for death marked enemies should increase its effectiveness against bosses. Also reduce the attack animation delay to allow faster repositioning after usage.
Raging Spike
+ Increase movement speed to 200% of current value
+ Target ground instead of enemies (similar to anchor rush) and allow use without an enemy target
+ Allow skill cancel mid animation
+ Reduce incoming damage by 20% during animation
Increase utility of this skill, which is one of chain's least used skills. It focuses on mobility instead of increasing the damage. Allowing cancelling this skill makes chain more mobile and gives it a repositioning option that does some damage.
Chain Crush
Damage 750% -> 950%
+ 100% additional damage to targets with Death Mark
- Remove silence effect
+ When the enemy impacts the ground, enemies are pulled in from a significant radius, similar to chain sweep in size.
+ Applies "Vulnerability" in AoE on hit for 60s: Enemies with vulnerability yield 30% more Dorcha on hit and take 10% more damage from Chain attacks.
Chain Crush is a debuff skill but in most endgame content the ability is too broken so most bosses were given immunity to its effects. However, because it's single target and very slow, it's not very useful against regular mobs either because of its long animations (and most mobs would be better dispatched by an Arcana). This skill rework makes this a high commit skill with a significant debuff applied in boss battles. This provides chain with a long distance grouping option similar to Scythe while also providing some utility against bosses by adding 10% additional damage. The skill also helps chain maintain momentum by increasing Dorcha yield.
Spinning Slasher
Damage 745% -> 850%
+ 100% additional damage to targets with Death Mark
This is one of Chain's best skills and is even used outside of the Chain talent. The skill doesn't need much buffing, but could use additional damage to improve Chain's ability to deal DPS which is somewhat lacking.
Chain Burst
+ Chain skills +1 piercing against enemies with Death Mark during Chain Burst
A bonus piercing point would go a long way towards making chain more viable as a DPS against bosses. To balance this, the effect only works against enemies with Death Mark applied.
Chain Sweep
Damage 680% -> 780%
+ Ability to choose landing location
After using the skill, can click a second time to set the landing location to a different location other than where the skill was used from. This would give chain sweep more utility for avoiding attacks in boss fights.
Bachram Explosion
Damage 1620% -> 3400%
- Available on Bachram Boost
+ Consumes 12 Dorcha
+ Damage dealt in 1 hit
Gives Chain an additional damage option that provides it with a method of dealing some burst damage.
Chain Erg50S Effect
- 30% Chance to Refund Dorcha
+ Reduce Chain skill Dorcha consumption by 30%
Reduces randomness when using Chain skills and provides some consistency.
I hope these suggestions can be considered for a Chain Blade rework.
