Greetings, glorious adventurers! If you're joining in our Alpha One spot testing, please follow the steps here to see all the latest test info on our forums and Discord!
Options
One handed weapon use.
JoePenz
Member
Something that would interest me is the use of one handed weapons with nothing in the off hand (or ring/trinket). In most games this only disadvantages players. I think it should open up more abilities or give some sort of advantage for spell casting. It should not be as powerful as a dedicated staff user but should have its advantages over a two handed weapon or sword and shield user. This would also make interesting combos if a player is allowed to carry two weapon loadouts. Does anyone have thoughts on this?
3
Comments
My thought process behind it is that it would allow you to cast spells faster or more powerful. Or spells that require a free hand to be used. Not for melee purposes.
Everyone equipping weapons in the offhand slot just to get a boost to stats, is indicative of poor RPG design.
Formerly T-Elf
Yes! Something similar to that.
If you're thinking practical use for melee, then using a 1-handed weapon with 2 hands should boost the power of the attack (1.5x Strength modifier in D&D doing this instead of 1x).
The weapon speed depends on the style, too. Quite frequently, using a sword meant for 1 handed use severely limits the speed and technique when using with two hands.
For casters, it depends if you're using the sword as a focus, and if casting magic requires one or two hands for the proper hand gestures. Or maybe casting doesn't require free hands, just concentration.
I'm also in the school of thought that a weapon shouldn't apply it's stats or bonuses unless you're holding it. A.k.a. using it. Just having it "equipped" shouldn't do anything unless there's a hand on it as a focus or something.
It would create an interesting dynamic in mirror matchups. If you take a 2-handed weapon you gain increased offensive power. If you take a sword+shield you gain increased defensive power, and if you take just a single 1-handed weapon you gain greater mobility.
Spellbook should be equivalent to a one-handed weapon - shouldn't be able to focus on reading spells from a book while fighting with sword or staff.
Also, seems like there should be specific abilities that include the off-hand weapon - similar to Shield Bash.
Which might actually be possible due to weapons having weapon abilities.
I thought every game had something like this.
Every MMO I've ever played did.
If this is not the case, I'll probably settle for something small and unobtrusive in the offhand such as a dagger or spell focus.
I hope there will be different versions of a halberd or pole axe. Lucerne was my favorite in DAoC.
why have one sword when you can have a thousand pages
Papercuts dont do enough damage in my opinion
I would have to disagree papercuts hurt like hell
Agreed. I've trained for years with one and two-handed swords. A single, one-handed weapon can do plenty of damage without the need for a second hand. In many cases attempting to wield a one-handed weapon with two hands might be more detrimental for survival let alone effectiveness. A rapier is a perfect example.
I'd like the calculus in the background to take reality into account.