So, in the current state of Saltchemist, it highly encourages a defensive play style where you stay back, don’t engage in combat(mostly), and spam rebuff potions from afar. I find this a big problem, and think that some things have to be changed. Here is what I would change:
Drink/Throw Changes[]
One of the biggest problems(and letdowns for me) is the fact that potions, especially with the pitcher talent, can be used as baseballs, going directly into the skull of a unsuspecting NLK user in the depths. So, my goal with these changes is to make the oath less “Spam from afar” but more “INJECT THEM WITH ALL KINDS OF DEADLY FLUIDS 💉 “ oath.
Drink Changes[]
To begin with, you should no longer physically have to take a glass bottle to drink from, you have 3 tanks of potions on your arm after all. Why not just make it so that using a drink mode Potion just starts the injection of it directly into your system. A animation of the tube getting pushed out(and some effects to alarm the opponent) would play and after a second or two the effect would be applied. Getting hit before application would cause that tank to jam, putting it on a tediously long cooldown. While it is injecting, you will be slowed and unable to roll, as well as a lowered parry window, but block will work fine.
Throw Changes[]
Throw is directly swapped out with the new mode: Inject. Upon use stab with your needles and those who get hit get that status effect applied.
Sparks[]
Magnet: The capsule is shot out, homing in to a target(uses auto-aim), the projectile isn’t fast and can be dodged/parried. The effect will only last %70 the normal duration. AoE effects of applied salts are nullified.
Multiplying: Get on one knee, shooting 3 crystals imbued with that specific potion effect,in a cone like pattern. While in this stance, you are fully stationary until the crystals are fired. Each crystal has %40 of the duraiton. AoE salts will cause the crystals to stick on to hit targets, exploding after the effect duration runs out. These explosions cause the gas cloud to appear as normal. These gas clouds have lowered duration than normal clouds. Multiple crystals on a single target exploding causes the duration, effect and size of that cloud to be increased.
Tornado: THIS MOVE IS UNPARRIABLE AND THUS HAS THE RED EYE. After a windup with hyper armor, swing your arm around in a curcilar motion(the arm without needles), grabbing the first target hit. Then throw the target on the floor, and inject them with the selected potion. This injection is specifically to the chest, increasing the effectivity.
I was also going to add mantras but decided not to. Maybe one where you jump to a teammate and buff them?