Duck Anderson, healing herb rebalance (hotbox).

[novel temple]

The current "healing herbs" for Duck don't really feel fun to use and often seems lesser to the easily usable passive health increase from Donnie B. This is especially apparent as any big burst from the basic pistol can make it sorta worthless unless playing hyper defensively.

I was talking to a friend (alongside other discord users) and we came up with an idea to replace the current card with a new one called "Hotbox".

Hotbox would allow Duck to throw out a potted plant which would stick into the ground like a turret, temporarily producing a large cloud of dark grey or dark green "herb smoke" which functions similar to a toxic bomb.

This Hotbox zone would heal for a total of 40HP if the user stays inside the entire time, while also providing some needed cover. This could allow duck to either participate in a more aggressive push forward (popping it in middle and healing off some chip damage) or a retreat with a bit of heal boost to help him in the next firefight.

(This is basically an inverse toxic bomb)

This would also be incredibly helpful in 2v2, providing a tangible way to heal an ally besides health increasing cards or randomized love letter placement.

[spare vector]

This is pretty much as good as it gets for a suggestion that makes Duck work.

[languid forge]

Duck Anderson Main here, this would be great

I like having the healing rather than the health bonus so Duck is my go to

but I feel like sometimes Duck is just a bit off when it comes to his card

It would make his ability really versatile

[novel temple]

Having responses from duck anderson mains would be great, I honestly don't have the patience to play him right now when other options have far more appealing benefits.

This versatility would hopefully distance duck from Donnie B without straying too far from the original concept.

[novel temple]

It should also be relatively easy to implement with the current tools the developers have on hand.

[languid forge]

The only thing I fear about this is the uniqueness of his ability

[novel temple]

Its unique, but so are the other characters as (most) of the ones with cards can stack multiple effects.

IE: Donnie B can use their natural health up and an additional one from a card.

I'd be all for more unique stuff across the board IMO.

[stable yoke]

Would the pot throw arch be like mine

[languid forge]

I mean like

It's unique in a way that no other character has

They could make it a card for others as a regular healing cloud

and that would work

[nova trellis]

can it heal the opponent ? cuz if it does id never pick up duck anderson again (im an anderson main)

[desert otter]

Patch, but think of the absolute shenanigans that would take place in the hotbox. Maybe it heals the enemy but applies a "trippy" effect to put them at a disadvantage?

[desert otter]

@novel temple I guess you could say that it's a...H.O.T. Box? As in Heal Over Time?......I'll show myself out

[novel temple]

My original thought process was that it would not, only because adding healing to enemies or a trippy effect as mentioned by knox could be overcomplicated.

[novel temple]

Yea, that's actually a good pun.

[novel temple]

That would be a good comparison yea, it'd throw and then stick to the ground where it was thrown.

Otherwise it would just be smokescreen +

[mint spade]

Duck main and this would be so much better. 30 hp doesnt feel like too much especially with barbs or being shot while using it

This could easily be placed round corners while taking pot shots to heal (no pun intended?)

How long would it stay and how fast is the healing?

[novel temple]

Just imagine a reverse toxic bomb, 4hp per second and a 10 second smoke window.

You could theoretically tune it up/down to 5hp per second withan 8 second window.

But those two numbers seem the most fair in regards to both the player and enemy.

[stable yoke]

we just lost to teleporting low ping players

[novel temple]

A common issue, happens a lot to me.

Glitching into the floor?

I know for a fact the issue with people glitching out is due to high movement cards with a mix of bullet punch interacting weird.

Because I only get it in high speed moments where people are getting shot.

[stable yoke]

does double helmet work?

[novel temple]

don't think so

[brazen nacelle]

I played a bit of duck and yeah no this would make things better since his whole "unkillable duck" build relies on actually getting heal cards. And considering in higher levels weapons can basically halve your HP in mere seconds; thus making the build not work as well, this would give him some needed viability.

[brazen nacelle]

Maybe instead it makes their aim slower for a second or two. Giving a bit of further characterization since only duck can take the strong doseage while others feel sluggish in reaction time.

it is medicinal after all.

[languid forge]

I would prefer it isn't a smoke cloud but just a cloud on the ground though, as I feel it gives him too much versatility if it also blocks sight too

and applying an effect to enemies would be rough too

[novel temple]

I think making it a smoke cloud would actually give it value beyond just being a slightly boring healing AOE.

I think an effect on enemies would be too much.

Like, I rarely see people pop smokes anymore because of the whole bomb meta.

[wraith moat]

Overall reading through everything people have said imo the best outcome for something like this would be:

• 6hp/s for 10s
• 1m radius
• heals and obscures both rivals and teammates inside
  I actually think the smoke effect lowers the versatility, as it means you can't pre-place it and hold an angle while being healed at the same time. But if it's going to heal, to stay consistent with other throwables it'd probably effect both teammates and enemies.
  And as for healing, you're taking yourself partially out of the fight for up to 10s; which is more than enough time for someone to push you or punish with strong counters like poison bomb, karrotov, or... bomb meta