Gemling Ascendancy Feedback - Improving certain notables for 0.4

I've been a Gemling Legionnaire main since 0.1 and have felt that Gemling has always been in a tough spot especially against a more consistent Witchhunter ascendancy and the popular mercenary ascendancy, Tactician.


I liked the changes made done in 0.3 but I believe it could have been better, particularly on 3 ascendancy nodes: Adaptive Capability, Thaumaturgical Infusion, and Advanced Thaumaturgy.



Ascendancy Notables should have a noticeable effect on a character at all stages of the character. Under this notion, Adaptive Capability has the issue of being useful early on the character progression but loses its ground drastically later on. I believe adding another effect which is +2 skill slots (which was previously one of Gemling's notable) would provide a more consistent effect all through the Gemling's progression and works within the notable's identity of freedom to use any skill gem and will complement with notables on the right side of Gemling's Ascendancy tree.


Next, Thaumaturgical Infusion seems pretty fine at first but with limited number of ascendancy points, this notable feels very underwhelming compared to others especially as a notable on the branch end. If I am to make it a competitive notable, I would lower the number of support gems required to 2 and add a bonus for having around 15 support gem of same color providing immunity to elemental ailment which works together with the preceding notable - Gem Studded, and would work together as well with my previous suggestion for Adaptive Capability, to reach the required amount for multiple effects. This will compete with Integrated Efficiency notable pretty well under this suggested effect where one can choose to go with more offense (which usually where most players would go) vs more defensive option.


Advanced Thaumaturgy looked good on paper until it was not in effect. The fact that it is not a skill that can be supported with gems already made it feel like it did not belong on Gemling's identity.
Like with what other players have suggested, make this to be a skill that can be supported with gems as well as providing control on which charges are provided.
As of the moment, I am still brainstorming a fair way to make this very attractive (especially as a branch end notable competing with Implanted Gems notable which is very strong and more consistent in effect). Theoretically, I would want to have support gems play a role in determining which charge it provides but under this scenario, it could come in conflict with Gem-studded notable and under my suggested Thaumaturgical Infusion improvements.


Honorable mention to the Crystalline Potential notable. This notable feels situational on its usefulness as it is dependent on the skill gems themselves. The notable is often overlooked in its competitiveness on its own and is mostly seen as a bonus if looking to get Implanted Gems notable. I would like to see this buffed or probably merge into a new notable.