by metroid composite on Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:32 pm
So far completed the boss hive with all the classes (except Tinker and Crusader which I didn't have unlocked--I rushed to unlock boss hive). The vast majority I won first try; only exceptions I can think of are Changeling (which I didn't know how to play at first--so like three resets) Thief (which is just weird, because Thief is a fantastic class; I forget what happened here) and Rogue (20+ resets until no vampires spawned. Seriously, guys, instead of doing 90% lifedrain rounded up, why don't you do 99% lifedrain rounded down). Generally killing the boss around level 6-7.
Two issues I have with the Boss Hive, though: One: Serpents don't have boss stats. Why don't they have boss stats? Seriously, I start every game looking for the serpents to get the easy level-up slingshots. Two: you've created boss stats for Vampire, Naga, Animated Armor, and Imp. Why is the level 10 boss never one of these monsters?
Changeling seems solid on paper now that I realize how to use it; polymorph the boss into something with 318 or less HP, deal half its health in fireball damage, then attack a level 1 Gorgon, and do a first-strike 50% Death Gaze for the win. With a mid-battle level-up and four mana potions, you can almost always kill the boss starting at level 5 ending at level 6--that's 160 fireball damage, enough to drop a typical 318 HP boss below half health.
Other particularly good uses of Changeling include grabbing poison, then doing 2x fireball, 1x attack, run away and regen, then come back for the kill. When you have access to Animated Armor those are pretty handy too (as protection from killing blow doesn't go away when you change forms). Everything else changeling can copy is kind-of mediocre, but like the Thief's "Stabber" ability I won't say no to a small one-shot bonus.
A couple of things bug me about Changeling, though. Like...why doesn't Wraith give you a magic attack?
And yeah, I totally get the objection that Changeling isn't good in the two-boss challenge dungeons. Well, it should be fantastic in the Snake Pit (you have all the Death Gaze and poison you could want; go crush this dungeon). And it should do fine in the Factory (you have level 9 Animated Armors to fireball, and level 1 Animated Armors to give you free Protection from Killing Blow, and you can polymorph Super Meat Man). But like...Library; it's probably the worst class in the library.