“Neutralization” ability:
Azuma's successful attacks put Neutralization on the opponent, temporarily prohibiting them from using shadow energy → Azuma's successful attacks accumulate charges of Neutralization. With 4 charges, Azuma applies Neutralization to his opponent, preventing them from using shadow energy.
“Consequence Management” ability:
A successful attack against the opponent will knock them out of shadow form, dealing bonus damage → The application of Neutralization knocks the enemy out of their shadow form.
Spinning attack:
Animation changed.
Lower attack:
Startup reduced;
Reaction upon blocking adjusted.
Heavy attack:
Startup reduced.
Upper attack:
Startup reduced;
Block pushback distance increased;
Reaction upon successful attack adjusted.
“Precise Lunge” shadow ability:
Startup reduced;
Dash speed reduced.
“Shadow Blast” shadow ability:
Startup reduced.
“Naginata Flight” shadow ability:
Naginata’s flight trajectory changed.
“Long-term Neutralization” talent:
Changed to the “Shadow Suppression” talent;
The more shadow energy the opponent has, the more damage Azuma deals with regular and shadow Naginata attacks.
“Painful Neutralization” talent:
Changed to the “Radical Neutralization” talent;
A Neutralized opponent takes increased shadow damage.
“Shadow Suppression” talent:
Changed to the “Suppressing Explosion” talent;
Azuma enters shadow form with an explosion, that causes Neutralization.
“Shadow Burn” talent:
Changed to the “Intensive Treatment” talent;
The application of Neutralization infuses Azuma's kunai with shadow energy. This ranged attack now deals shadow damage.
“Suppressing Explosion” talent:
Changed to the “Impulse” talent;
Azuma gains a new Shadow Ability. Shadow form duration is increased.
“Countermeasures” talent:
Changed to the “Precision and Efficiency” talent;
The application of Neutralization requires 1 less charge.
“Impulse” talent:
Changed to the “Sustainable Neutralization” talent;
Each new Neutralization on the opponent lasts longer than the previous one.
“Total Neutralization” talent:
Changed to the “Painful Neutralization” talent;
The application of Neutralization deals shadow damage.
“Lockdown” talent:
Changed to the “Double Dose” talent;
Ranged attack launches two kunai instead of one.
“Transfusion” epic weapon:
Effectiveness increased.
Defense: 133 → 126
Dev note:
Azuma had several abilities that made him exceedingly oppressive against heroes reliant on shadow energy, but also quite weak otherwise.
His talents were also lacking in flexibility: some talents’ effects had anti-synergy with one another which led to Azuma’s builds being very rigid.
These changes are aimed at improving Azuma’s power level against heroes who don’t use shadow energy and bringing some variety in his talent builds while preserving the character’s core strengths.
“Facing the Fear” talent:
The attack’s bonus damage increased.
“Arrow of Hou Yi” talent:
Cooldown reduced;
Damage increased.
Lower attack:
First hit’s damage increased.
“Shadow Respite” talent:
Effectiveness reduced.
Upper attack:
Damage reduced.
Legionnaires’ heavy kick:
Attack interval duration increased;
The player regains control sooner;
Damage increased.