Right now there is a lack of clear communication between the developers and players of Tabula Rasa. It seems that on the Public Test Server there has been a change to one of the character skills that is used in 99% of the Soldier-based builds. This skill is called Rage and allows the player to boost damage output for a short period of time. Unfortunately for the players, this skill is currently bugged, and the error gives a huge advantage to characters for minimal cost. Full Rage breakdown after the jump.

This is how the skill was intended to work according to the UI tooltip:

Rage:
Dmg Adrenaline Power Duration
Rage I +20% 100 37 20 sec
Rage II +40% 100 58 30 sec
Rage III +60% 100 74 40 sec
Rage IV +80% 100 99 50 sec
Rage V +100% 100 115 60 sec

Now the bug causes this to be the actual effects in game:

Rage:
Dmg Adrenaline Power Duration
Rage I +105% 100 37 20 sec
Rage II +110% 100 58 30 sec
Rage III +115% 100 74 40 sec
Rage IV +120% 100 99 50 sec
Rage V +125% 100 115 60 sec

So, we see where for just one rank of Rage, a character can hit the damage output that the highest rank gives. This is what is being corrected. Where does the lack of clear communication come in? When the statements and actions coming from NCsoft don't support each other. This is what CuppaJo said when a player posted the damage numbers on November 1:

The Rage ability description is incorrect.

It should be corrected in the next patch.

So it's supposed to be working like it is, but the UI tooltip is wrong? Unless it's the fact that Rage no longer constantly drains Adrenaline that is the error in the description. Later on, the damage is pointed to as the actual culprit. This is from the original Test Server patch notes:

-The Rage ability was providing damage bonuses that were much higher than intended. These have been corrected, and their ability UI tooltips updated to match.
-Added duration information to the Rage ability tooltips.
-Rage tooltips are now more accurate.

Ok, saying something as ambiguous as "providing damage bonuses that were much higher than intended" rather than saying "maximum damage values were being applied to all ranks of Rage, this has been adjusted to reflect what is currently shown on Live UI tooltips". See? That's better, considering that the last note there about Rage tooltips being more accurate now? Yeah, right now the Rage tooltips on the Test Server say this:

Rage:
Dmg Adrenaline Power Duration
Rage I +5% 100 37 20 sec
Rage II +10% 100 58 30 sec
Rage III +15% 100 74 40 sec
Rage IV +20% 100 99 50 sec
Rage V +25% 100 115 60 sec

Oh, wait. I guess the additional 100% damage that Rage is currently giving was the problem. I'm glad that's all straightened out. Once again it's clear. Or not. It looks like the PTS notes were changed because, once again the numbers on the UI tooltip and the actual effects are not the same:

OK it looks like the Rage changes didn't go in. I will remove this from the PTS patch notes.

Okay, but what about the change? Is it supposed to be 5-25%?

Known Issues:

The Rage ability description is incorrect.

I guess it's not supposed to be 5-25%. Or is it, and the effects of Rage are wrong? Who knows? I guess the Devs do:

Exactly, the change was supposed to go in, the tooltip was updated, but the change didn't actually make it to PTS. I will ask the Devs to post something on the Rage ability and why they believe it should be addressed, etc.

So, there IS going to be a giant nerf to Rage! Good to know. I guess I can look at putting all of my Soldier-based characters on the same shelf that I put my Sniper on after the Torqueshell nerf. Or the Netgun nerf. And since I don't play anything but Solder-based characters, yeah...

Bottom Line: +25% damage for using 15 Skill Points is worthless. If it was intended to be 5-25% from the beginning, then this needs to be stated in a clear manner SOMEWHERE THAT PLAYERS CAN SEE IT EASILY. You know, like at an official announcement forum, so it's not necessary to dig through 15 different websites to find information. Notice I didn't say discussion forum. Now, if Rage is getting set up for that big of a nerf, then I'm wondering if those now useless Rage Skill Points are either going to be refunded or all characters will be given a Clone Credit. Because if you want a 25% bonus to damage, all you have to do is hit the 'C' key to kneel while shooting.