Tanks might not dual wield

[Zenya]

I'm wondering if they are leaning towards this distinction between the 2 fighter archetypes to enhance player retention. Their business model seems to be about retention in particular.

I'm guessing this is the reason because I always liked the look of dual wield in EQ, but I had a pally. I had to make another character to dual wield with, which did keep me in the game longer.

[Glauroth]

I doubt it. It seems the tanks would have their armor, and the damage classes would have their extra weapons. It just makes sense with how the classes are designed. Offensive needs another tool of offense (Offhand weapon), defensive needs another tool of defense (Shield).

And yea, if a game had one character that could perform defensively, offensively, and maybe even heal themselves, then player retention would be pretty low? :?

[Lightning]

Originally Posted by Kalas

And yea, if a game had one character that could perform defensively, offensively, and maybe even heal themselves, then player retention would be pretty low? :?

Star Wars Galaxies allowed this in the days before the Combat Upgrade - draw your own conclusions.

[Tudana]

One replacement for a shield could be a large battle bracer, but it's basically a shield anyway.

I would like to see this as an option to a full shield.

I have done both in EQ, as many warrior did, it depended on the tier you were tanking on, duel wielding or 2hder, But I have never really took up the sword and shield as a reliable option as a warrior (speaking as a EQ warrior), I hope this doesnt effect me negativly not having it.
So Far Sigil has said or reviled anything that made me twitch.

When i retired I was very happy with my 2hd sword.

If 2hders will be the only weapon option skill for a warrior (or a 1hdr + shield..blah) I do hope some double headed 2hd axes will be available..

[Skellen]

While I will never dual wield as a tank I think the option should be there, just constrained to limitations based on your class. If a tank wants to dual wield, the off hand has to be a light weapon. Based on what I’ve read about the dynamism and complexity of fighting though, this probably isn’t the smartest route for a tank to go. It’ll be interesting to see how that shapes out.

[Kalthanan]

Originally Posted by Eclipse

Personally, I would like to see monks fight with fists and feet. Give them fist weapons and kicks. (Asheron's Call Unarmed 4TW!)

-Eclipse

I'd like to see monks get a range of weapons, including the choice to specialize in hand to hand, but understand that unarmed is difficult to design for.

Specifically, how do you itemize and balance end-game hand to hand?
- Raiders will complain if an unarmed monk can do as much damage as an uber monk raid weapon
- Unarmed monks will complain if they can't do as much damage as raid weapons.

How do you strike that balance? I have some ideas for solutions to that, but I'll leave that for another time.

[Eclipse]

Well, you must realize that there are fist weapons...brass knuckles, bladed gauntlets, katars, nekodes, etc. There's a vast vast array of different ways you can fight with your hands and feet.
I would like to see a way to specialize the monk to do more base damage, but be unable to wield weapons (a spiritual choice) they would still be gear dependent, and would rely on gloves/bracers to defend and parry with.
But I think this would be incredibly cool.

-Eclipse

[Lightning]

There is always the possibility of adding weapons to your hands in the form of enchantments that make you, say, do magic damage and "increase the speed and power of your fists" and have partical effects to represent them

[TheDrunkenDwarf]

I hope particle effects are very rare.

[Lightning]

Originally Posted by TheDrunkenDwarf

I hope particle effects are very rare.

well, only for the purposes of example - the point I was making is that you don't have to have held weapons to have attack speed / power stats. What I don't want to see personally is hand-to-hand weapons like in EQ2 that looked patently rediculous.

Unarmed should mean exactly that