Blackthorn

Heroes are in a good spot in Classic, although they do lack clear distinctive properties that set them apart from the Blademaster, even from a defensive perspective. Heroes have access to Scale Determination (+ Stoicism on Blackthorn) and in terms of peeling Blademasters can hold their own just fine. Perhaps even more so than Heroes, due to their backsnare. That said, Heroes do tend to be more free to lean into 50 shield spec, which is somewhat meaningful for Guard purposes.

The bleed changes should put Celtic Spear back into a good spot, but we go over all styles and weaponlines just to bring everything up to par across the board. In order to make the Hero stand out defensively, the Intercept ability cooldown is now halved.

Overall:

Intercept cooldown reduced from 60s to 30s.

RAs:

Now has access to Dashing Defense

Battle Yell now also forces pets to attack the user, while killing FnF pets instantly.

Blunt:

[Level 2] Contusions GR increased from 0.039 to 0.325

[Level 10] Side Bash GR increased from 0.604 to 0.724

[Level 25] Back Crush GR increased from 0.721 to 0.768

[Level 44] Crushing Blow GR increased from 0.838 to 0.894 Added 21s Snare effect

Blades:

[Level 2] Shining Blade GR increased from 0.036 to 0.318

[Level 10] Glowing Blade GR increased from 0.640 to 0.709

[Level 29] Dancing Blade Bleed changed from 8 dmg every 4s for 40s to 11 dmg every 4s for 28s

[Level 34] Revenging Blade GR increased from 0.729 to 0.787

Piercing:

[Level 2] Dragonfly GR increased from 0.035 to 0.312

[Level 4] Wasp’s Sting GR increased from 0.586 to 0.708

[Level 21] Copperhead GR increased from 0.663 to 0.742

Celtic Spear:

[Level 2] Hunter’s Spear GR increased from 0.037 to 0.341

[Level 6] Hunter’s Boon GR increased from 0.606 to 0.714 Snare duration increased from 11s to 13s

[Level 18] Javelin Now has 22% Atk Spd decrease for 20s instead of Bleed

[Level 25] Hunter’s Gift Now has a 12 dmg bleed every 3s for 24s

[Level 44] Dragon Talon GR increased from 0.749 to 0.809

[Level 50] Cuchulain’s Revenge GR increased from 0.859 to 0.897 Exchanged Bleed effect for Snare effect: 21 second duration

Large Weapons:

[Level 2] Celtic Might GR increased from 0.034 to 0.328

[Level 10] Hibernian Force GR increased from 0.637 to 0.723 Exchanged Bleed effect for Snare effect: 14 seconds duration

[Level 15] Domination GR increased from 0.429 to 0.479

[Level 18] Obliteration Exchanged Snare effect for Attack Speed Decrease: 22% for 20s

[Level 34] Demolish Added 11 dmg bleed every 4s for 40s

[Level 39] Shatter GR increased from 0.883 to 0.953 Bleed changed from 8 dmg every 4s for 40s to 11 dmg every 4s for 28s

[Level 44] Devastate GR increased from 0.883 to 0.956

[Level 50] Annihilation GR increased from 0.883 to 0.921