Spears Please!

[Gabrion]

I know that the stats for spears might make them seem a poor choice and the devs may even wonder why anyone would want such an item added to the game. Well I'm hear to tell you that people would definitely love to see a piercing two-handed weapon in the game!

Post here if you too would like to see two handed WoP weapons.

[GeneralDiomedes]

We had this debate when 300 came out.

Devs basically said that it wasn't worth the development effort.

[Gabrion]

I musta missed that. Can you link their comments? I'd like to see what their input was.

[Dungnmaster001]

I don't recall the exact wording used but it boiled down to this:

New animations take a LOT of time/effort that would be better spent (in the devs opinion) on more content/bug fixes/new features. They didn't say it would never happen but that it was low on the list of priorities.

[GeneralDiomedes]

Here's the link to Deadly Gazebo's post.

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?p=1500247&highlight=spears#post1500247

[Desteria]

I would also liek to see 2hand Pircing weapons it leaves a BIG hole in DR bypassing for a 2hand fighter...

Also on the topic of pircign wepons missign HOW about the Sigham for monks the MONK pircing weapon, this is a core PHB weapon from PnP.

[Gabrion]

Thanks for the link. I read that post as saying that they want to make new weapons to, but it's all a matter of priorities. In other words, it isn't a forgone conclusion that they will spend all their resources on things other than new weapons...hence the usefulness of threads like this to let the devs know that the community is interested in (or isn't as the case may be) new weapons.

I for one know that if the choice is between adding new weapons to the game (especially spears) and another new monster, I certainly vote for the spears. If the coding really is about the same as making a new monster, just imagine if one of the monsters had been left out of mod6 and a new weapon had been added. Bat swarms vs. Spears? I really think people would get more out of adding spears...but maybe that's just me. Voice your own opinions!

[Depravity]

If you want a two-handed pierce (THF builds could kinda use it...), I'd say push for scythes. They're slashing/piercing, and could probably use recycled animation from the current two handers. Sort of like a greataxe with a different head. This also sidesteps the issue of dealing with reach weapons.

DPS concerns come up with crit rage II (scythes are 20/x4 crits), but it looks like the numbers would be very similar to a current TWF build with picks - one off hand attack of being pretty much identical, not to mention extra effects from the offhand weapon.

Not to mention the insane coolness factor of literally mowing down your enemies.

[Castlehawk]

who cares if the animation isnt EXACTLY how a spear should be used..... just take the quarterstaff animation and make it a spear.

.....im tired of hearing excuses on time, effort, ect.

....come up with solutions that make sense.

[GeneralDiomedes]

Saying it's all a matter of priority is just a nice way of saying it's not going to happen.

And looking at his list, I would say that Double weapons would get implemented before spears, if/when half-orcs make it.

[Dimicron]

Spears can be used by druids also. I'll vote in favor of spears :)

[Turial]

who cares if the animation isnt EXACTLY how a spear should be used..... just take the quarterstaff animation and make it a spear.


/agree, see dreamsplitter (personally thought it was a spear till I looted one)

Look at rapiers and other piercing weapons...anyone who has fenced will tell you most of the fighting isnt done with slashing moves but jabs and thrusts.

On the topic of dual effect weapons (blunt/pierce, slash/pierce) morning stars should have both but for the whole length of the game its remained a blunt weapon. Scythes, while very cool, would likely just be slashing weapons.

[Dungnmaster001]

who cares if the animation isnt EXACTLY how a spear should be used..... just take the quarterstaff animation and make it a spear.

I care. It annoys me (and a few others) to no end when I see the slashing animation for rapiers. Using Qstaff animations (which I like) for spear combat would totally ruin the effect for me, so I wouldn't use spears. Which would suck since I've been wanting to see new weapons (with the corresponding animations) for quite awhile. Aesthetics do matter in a game like this. I've met WF that use weaker docents because the best one they have is pink and absurd looking.

Would it be game-breaking if the animations for spears didn't match? No not really. I wouldn't quit the game over it, though I would avoid using spears.

[QuantumFX]

Personally, I'd love to see spears in game. It's a missing option for THF/TWF and monks.

As for the "reasons" on why not. I don't buy it. A company Turbine's size should have a character animator on staff. With all the modelling being complete for over 2 years moving joints is nothing. So they're either outsourcing to an overpriced contractor or their animation budget is just large enough to buy a 2 liter bottle of soda.

I think the real problem is the fact that the combat system would have to change. To accomidate double weapons we would have to see actual 1 weapon, TWF and THF stances. (Double weapons can be used as a THF weapon gaining the to hit and damage bonuses from power attack or as a TWF style gaining the higher number of attacks.) Problematic default behaviors would have to be set up and they would have to implement a way for players to customize the behaviors. Not to mention that any combat system overhaul would need to include proper bucklers.

[Castlehawk]

we are talking about making realistic requests given the history of how things are developed and the timelines that it took. I am not debating on if historics have a good or bad track record, but the devs have commented that the TIME required to create new animations do not justifiy the creation of spears.

so again, add in spears, and simply use the animation for staffs.

It is a simple solution that will make x10 more people happy than the 1% that will whine about how the animations don't match.

too many people complain without viable solutions.

[Memnir]

I'd love to see Spears in the game as well. But after two years of this being a highly requested addition to the game and only being met with silence or the occasional rebuff from the Devs - I've come to accept it will never happen. Frankly, I've stopped expecting anything from the Devs at all - that way I can only be pleasantly surprised when something good pops up and no longer bitter and frustrated when they don't. Give up hope - you'll be a happier customer for it.

[EinarMal]

Give up hope - you'll be a happier customer for it.

LOL and QFT, I used to request things like this, new weapons, real prestige classes, new base classes like Warlock or Warmage, the bottom line is we are lucky to get a bug filled update every 4 months with barely any new spells and 4 new quests....

Go run the Cerulian Hills and watch the Orc Archers all just stand there bugged and do nothing as you kill them...pathetic.

[Galapas]

They could incorporate the Bec de Corbin with little or no change to the greataxe animation. It was a short, 2-hand pole weapon with a "crow's beak" used to pierce armor. Unlike most polearms, it was considered a knight's weapon.

I don't buy the argument that they don't want any animations that are less than perfect. My fighter has been stabbing with his battle axe for some time now.

[Riggs]

the assumption has been made by at least several devs that players want yet more monsters to kill, and dont care about new weapons (basic common phb weapons....).

yet everytime this comes up 95% of players keep stating that they want new weapons.

There are plenty of monsters in the game. More ways to customize and change characters is really been clamored for since day 1.

bring in spears, even if they are not animated. I am happy with a 'staff' with a point on the end. Two handed piercing is missing big time.

Most people dont really care if it is 'done right'. Just add it and fix it later.

And halberds that can pierce AND slash...who cares if it swings like a staff...just add it. Create animations later.

[Riggs]

I don't buy the argument that they don't want any animations that are less than perfect. My fighter has been stabbing with his battle axe for some time now.


Indeed.

[wak]

who cares if the animation isnt EXACTLY how a spear should be used..... just take the quarterstaff animation and make it a spear.

.....im tired of hearing excuses on time, effort, ect.

....come up with solutions that make sense.

aren't spears supposed to be chucked?

[Tin_Dragon]

I don't buy the argument that they don't want any animations that are less than perfect. My fighter has been stabbing with his battle axe for some time now.

How dare you bring logic, AND evidence to a thread!

/signed

[Tin_Dragon]

aren't spears supposed to be chucked?

That is an OPTION with many spear types, but the spear is (in D&D) a part of the polearm family. And as such many have a better function (imo), as a Reach weapon. Set it vs a charging Minotaur, and bam, no more knock down, instead the Minotaur just impaled himself on the end of your 10' long pike!

[smithers]

aren't spears supposed to be chucked?

Javelins are strictly for throwing, spears I think are made for either use, with pikes being longer unthrowable spears)

BTW, I've beel wishing for spears since the beginning, but if they didn't make it in for monks I don't suppose they ever will :(