DDOGamer: Three Weapons That Would Change the Way DDO Plays

[geoffhanna]

Here's a way to completely change DDO melee without having to do a melee balancing pass.

-> Likely? No. But a guy has gotta have his dreams.

[sebastianosmith]

The addition of these three weapons would be interesting. However, they present not only the need for new animation sequences, but a rather substantial modification to the core physics and scripting engines as well.

Disarming is really not supported by any existing mechanic. Adding the ability, beyond adapting an incapacitation mechanic which is not really what we want, would require significant code changes to both the physics and scripting engines. The only thing that even comes close is archer mobs bashing with their bows at close range, and I'm not all that clear on how such a condition is currently determined.

Spears would need to be of three types - short, long and thrown - in order to fit with the current model. Short would be for SWF. Long would be THF and thrown, or javelins, are self explanatory. Breaking spears down by those categories could require new animations but not an overwhelming modification to the physics engine. The set charge mechanic is so situational that the resources required to implement it are probably not worth the effort. The whip and sai would be relatively easy to implement as they could both be based on existing weapons (Shadar-kai chains or daggers) if disarming was not included.

Still, the overriding questions are what do these weapons really bring to the game that the existing ones do not provide and is modifying the core code really a good idea at this point? From a purely ROI standpoint, it doesn't look promising. From a sheer coolness standpoint, bring them on.

[Seikojin]

I think adding them would be a distant future thing. Past 2017.

[Saekee]

love the spear--as mentioned above with combat styles, very good.
A thrown spear--Sahuagin use them, so some animation exists
Defensive spear stance would be awesome against giants esp minotaurs, maybe dragons and jumping spiders. Give it Riposte when shield blocking?

Brad Pitt's spear fighting in Troy against Eric Bana was pretty cool (otherwise a sack of wine poor film)

[geoffhanna]

I think adding them would be a distant future thing. Past 2017.

Hope. Must have hope!