When the game launched, I mained Bangalore for a while, I liked the smoke and the ability to reposition, but I found that ultimately teammates found her annoying to play with, some people instaquit on the character select screen which is weird, and it can be especially frustrating if you don't have a digital threat. So I've been thinking of what could make Bangalore better to play, and more importantly play with.
It's about time that Bangalore gets some TLC
Passive
This is fine in its current form in my opinion. However I do think that if the health drops to below 25% and Bangalore has no shields, a smoke grenade could be dropped (if she has one). This would allow her the possibility to escape.
Tactical
Right now, there's no counter to Caustic smoke, the only way to counter a Caustic is to have another Caustic, or if you've set up a Watson ultimate. So I propose Bangalore becomes the ultimate counter to Caustic by allowing her smoke to neutralise Caustic gas somewhat, or reduce it to a tickle over time. Visibility is still going to be super poor, but now you have an option to rush a Caustic who's bunkered down.
- Fires 2 smoke grenades
- Specialised gas neutralising agent which reduces damage from Caustic gas over time.
- Alternative idea: Smoke confuses the enemy and makes the turning controls a little unresponsive or reversed. Think tear gas.
Ultimate
Bangalore's Ultimate is actually quite good in my opinion, however it's a bit too slow, so here's what I propose
Ultimate Toggle, Bangalore (and other legends*) will get 2 variations of the ultimate ability. Rolling Thunder & Minefield.
- Rolling Thunder: Change the explosion pattern to random.
- Minefield: Drops the rolling thunder explosives but they are buried. Once an enemy is X m "inside the minefield" it detonates. Remains on the ground until the next ultimate is ready.
While I'm aware that adding a second ultimate will require a lot of planning, play testing, work etc, this could be amazing for Season 10, and completely revitalise the game which will be 3 years old at that stage.
Voicelines
Everyone who has played with a Bangalore knows that she loves weapons, she is the ultimate weapon nerd. Knows every fact, even what the weapons used to do. This is great, however this gets a bit tedious (all legends are guilty of repeatable voice lines) especially if you play with her a lot. So let's add some more voice lines to deal with her clearly obvious PTSD:
- Character Select: Sending me back in, I know my duty, I won't let you down.
- Healing: "Just focus on this fight Anita (or Sargeant), the <CURRENT SELECTED GUN NAME> can fire at a rate of <FIRE RATE> rounds. breathe.. heal, focus.."
- Reviving Squadmate: "Don't leave me alone, I need you. I'll always have your back <CHARACTER NAME>"
- Smoke: "Reducing visibility, if they can't see us, they can't shoot us" - Teamed up with Mirage "Unless they have those red sight things"
- Enemy Hit: "I hit them, that'll make them think about their next move.
* Other legends alternate Ultimate abilities ideas (not married to any of these):
- Bangalore: As above
- Bloodhound: Shortened Beast of the Hunt, but can see enemies through walls, can not use tactical scan.
- Caustic: Corrosive gas grenade that removes destroys shield slots permanently or removes legend ability to heal up to a max of 25 (or X)% (removes ability to heal)
- Crypto: Shield overcharge: charges up your teams shields.
- Gibraltar: Overcharged bubble, no exit or entry for you or enemies. Shorter duration.
- Horizon: Repulser Ball, pushes everything (including bullets) away.
- Lifeline: Healing zone like the dummies day out ability (base health only)
- Loba: Decrease the range by half of her black market but allow you to take 4 items.
- Octane: Team stim (area of effect) boost your team's speed while reducing their health
- Mirage: Decoys are disguised as a teammate.
- Pathfinder: 45 (or shorter) seconds to use tactical ziplines with max cooldown of 5-10 seconds.
- Rampart: Restock 2 stacks of yours and teammates ammo, including a grenade
- Revenant: Unlimited climb. Or turn into a smoke monster like the S5 trailer.
- Watson: Tesla Coil - Damage enemies when they get close red in colour to distinguish from the trophy system.
- Wraith: Open a 1 way portal to her teammates so they come to her (half range / duration of a normal portal does minor damage to wraiths health as she overexerts herself). Can not be used if teammates out of range
