The worst about Hair Trigger is that it gives a false sense of choice, as if the person triggering it is the cause of it. If it's meant to be used every round, just change the trigger to "An enemy starts their turn in your first range increment". At least, it's crystal clear and we don't end up with choice paralysis.
Could make it so you can only use it against a target you had Aimed at on your previous turn.
It's still very strong, but at least it be more limited. Kind of.
This is probably the best way to nerf Hair Trigger I have seen on the forum. Make it only effect your aimed target, simple, makes it only useful on a single target and it'snot like you can hi any other creature.
Would it be more balanced if you to9ok away the manipulate action si disrupted on a crit?
Yeah, I feel like it's the most mechanically and thematically elegant solution. Also knowing who is the target of the aim allows for a lot of interesting tactical counterplay in the way reactive strike does in melee ranges, creating difficult but mitigatable scenarios for players to try and set up for their own advantage,or try to cleverly circumvent when it's used on them. All while getting to play out a classic scenario of focusing an enemy down, or having a single party member pinned by a sniper.
... Built and played at level 1 a Stress test... the only real difference to my original Skirmisher build was weapon choice.
Using a Seeker Rifle (Range 120ft.; 1d10 P) and a bit of luck on initiative and attack rolls, the 1st critter died when it moved towards the party...
Got 2 Aimed shots off on my turn, both hit, 1 crit, and hit on the Hair Trigger AoO when it moved...
I am seeing the potential issue now... and will continue to try to Stress Test is at the higher levels...
I am definitely leaning towards the 'Hair Trigger needs to be limited to Pistols' camp...
The more limited range/damage from the 'Pistols' greatly limit the overall power of the Ranged AoO, imho...
Yeah i played also with the operative. As soon, something do something you shoot. I would be okay with desruption but with less damage.