Weapon of choice? - Page 3

Glauroth · 11-27-2005, 03:41 PM

ShadowKnights definitely were the aggro kings. I played an arcanist...and I could cast Strike of Solusek as he pulled and not draw aggro.

As far as avoidance tanks...It seems to go against the image of meat shield ... and I see the Bard fulfilling this role. Imbuing himself with music to allow the speed necessary to dodge say...a dragon's tail or a giant's foot. And the problem with avoidance tanks is when they get hit, they drop like a sack of potatoes...you can't dodge in full armor and something is bound to connect eventually. Avoidance tanks would probably fulfill the group role well, but doubtful they would stand in a raid unless they were severely overpowered.

As long as the weapons are equal, I will use a Mace or Flail with a Shield combo, preferably the kite shield model. Dread Knights seem to be the spiky type.

Inquisitors definitely seem like the type to have a staff, and I loved your(Eclipse)description on the Inquisitor page. I can definitely see the Inquisitor bashing people with a heavy staff. (The excessive version of a nun with the switch) Just seems to fit :wink: Inquisitor is my second choice, and as of now, I've only decided that I will be wielding a two-handed weapon that isn't a hammer or an axe...beyond that, I'm not sure. (Maybe some Inquisitor abilities will require a free-hand? i.e. sticking out left hand to absorb some offensive magic and replace my own health?) In this case, I would employ a one-handed weapon? Who knows as of now. I'm about 40% Inq, and 60% DK at this point, not hard to waver.

I also like ideas like...the Wrist-slot buckler (For two-handed weapons users) and maybe a bracer used to deflect blows. Vanguard's combat system seems incredibly willing to experiment, and I like that fact.

Glauroth · 11-27-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eclipse

The staff-wielder can parry and attack in the same motion, a sword cannot do that as efficiently. A staff can also be used completely for defense, and if done right, no normal weapon (axe, sword, spear, mace) would be able to land.

-Eclipse

That is assuming alot. First, that the staff will be made of sufficient substance to not splinter or break when connecting with a sharp weapon. (pretty sure they use axes to cut down trees)

If this staff were so incredibly hard...whats to stop another character from having a sword or axe that was incredibly sharp?

Also, no staff is going to parry a shield bash. (Which you might say dodge)

But who's going to use a staff to stop...say...an arrow? Maybe I haven't seen Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon enough...but that's a tad unbelievable...and if a staff wielder can move that fast, than so can someone with a sword, it has to equate.

Fadeyn · 11-27-2005, 04:10 PM

Well, one thing. When blocking an axe with a staff you don't make contact with the blade, and yes with sufficient training you can stop and arrow with a staff, or at least knock it down. =)

and number 2, you have to remember this is a fantasy game. Its principles are not entirely based off of real life.

Fadeyn
The First

Eclipse · 11-27-2005, 04:10 PM

A staff could parry a shield bash, because anyone wielding a staff correctly would not ever let anyone even remotely close enough for that.

Staffs were used for centuries against swords, they don't splinter and break when coming in contact with a sword because half of the skill of wielding a staff is knowing how to make contact with piercing weapons. A sword is sharp on 2/4 sides, so wrap your mind around the skill needed to know how to contact the dull sides...done.

The thing about a staff is that you defend and attack at the same time. You parry an attack with one end of the staff, and the other end is already making contact with the opponent's jaw.

Secondly, no fighter walking around with a shield can react fast enough to block an arrow, don't kid yourself...there's a reason why archers were the most sought after warriors in the world when wars were fought. Slow, arching arrows can be blocked and dodged as long as they can be seen...but close, straight-pulled arrows do not give enough time to even bring up your shield, so that point is pretty much null. If a warrior has the reaction time to bring up his shield, then he had the reaction time to move out of the way. Ranged attacks were so incredibly overpowered irl, it pretty much destroyed the entire idea of cavalry and knighthood forever.

Anyways,

fun stuff

-Eclipse

Glauroth · 11-27-2005, 04:26 PM

I still think using a staff to that level of efficiency would require much more practice than using a sword and shield. But, this is a game based on magic and fun...and I definitely love the whole Hermit in the woods with a staff role.

I also don't know how well someone would do to parry attacks from multiple mobs, or even dodge them. That seems like the time for some armor.

I just hope they implement a way to use one-handed weapons, without a shield, and still be effective...people did fight without two-handed weapons and shields sometimes... ?

Glauroth · 11-27-2005, 04:31 PM

And I really hope when they say 'High Fantasy', that means they won't be incorporating crossbows and gunpowder...it always seems tacky when medieval games try to employ those.

Fadeyn · 11-27-2005, 04:35 PM

agreed, i can see crossbows as they are simple mechanical weapons. but leave the guns out of it fellas. Might as well give us tanks, cause no armor in the world would be all that effective agains a piece of metal traveling at 1000 feet per second.

Lightning · 11-27-2005, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fadeyn

agreed, i can see crossbows as they are simple mechanical weapons. but leave the guns out of it fellas. Might as well give us tanks, cause no armor in the world would be all that effective agains a piece of metal traveling at 1000 feet per second.

There are armour piercing arrows out there

But iirc it's been stated there will be no guns in Vanguard.

Also, in the grand scheme of weapons, don't forget the advantage of reach - someone wielding a 6 foot long staff could hold someone at 5 to 6 feet away from them so they couldn't get close enough to engage with, say, a sword. But if they get inside that range, the staff may be more of a liability. This is, of course, where you pull your backup weapon and drop the staff...

Glauroth · 11-27-2005, 05:18 PM

Complications!! I love it :wink:

Staffs (Staves?) definitely sound pretty awesome now, and I thought swords were cool. Maybe Ill take up some Bo lessons :P

Lightning · 11-28-2005, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalas

Complications!! I love it :wink:

Staffs (Staves?) definitely sound pretty awesome now, and I thought swords were cool. Maybe Ill take up some Bo lessons :P

Try Kendo, learn the basics of sword fighting and branch into Jodo (staff fighting). My personal favourite staff is the hanbo (3 foot long) as it is incredibly versatile