Feedback:User/Derikvyreflame/Unarmed Skills
Unarmed Skills | |
|---|---|
| User | Derikvyreflame |
| Categories | Mechanics |
My suggestion is to add skills for being unarmed. For example, say you are wielding a sword in you main-hand, but nothing in your offhand. You're first three skill slots would be equipped for the sword, and the last two would have skills for your empty hand (i.e. punch, backhand, etc.) which would add some utility and variety.
Now there are two ways I believe these skills could go: Generic or Professions-Specific.
Obviously, a hand is a hand. You can punch people, you can pick things up... That will not change, if you are a scholar, adventurer or soldier. If you think of it in that way, then there should only be generic skills for your empty hand. Examples may include a quick jab, a solid punch, a backfist, or whatever else A-Net decides upon. This would minimalize the amount skills they'd have to add, and give all professions atleast some melee ranged options by default.
However, although a hand is a hand, there are different ways a hand can be used. Perhaps a warrior will use a heavy punch and knock his opponent back, while a necromancer will poison his opponent at the mere touch. A thief might jab to the eyes and dazes his foe, while an elementalist shocks/burns/chills/crushes their adversary in their grasp. This would add some variety to builds, but may require a bit more effort than just implementing generic skills.
Now, some people may ask something like "Why would you go barehanded instead of holding a focus or shield?" My answer: Flavor. It's about choosing how you want to play, bringing the skills you want to bring. in GW2, you can pick up a barstool and use it as a weapon. Obviously, a sword would seem more effective, correct? Thus, why not use your fists? This would add a sense of realism and variety to the game, giving players more options as to how they want to play.
Now, this is where I begin going into more specific ideas. There is one problem with the idea: bonuses. Obviously, you are not holding an item in your hand, so you will not gain any bonuses from an item. So, how do we go about giving you a feasible chance when not holding anything? Well, we don't give you a bonus. Instead, the true value lies in the skills unarmed combat gives you. Okay, so you don't have more armor rating (for lack of better words) as a warrior if you don't have a shield. Now, however, you gain quick recharge skills that use little to no energy that can apply conditions (an example I used was knockback for a warrior) or just adding a quick DPS.
In conlusion, I think that unarmed skills should be implemented. They would add more variety to the game, and allow for even more unique characters. It would add flavor, and give the players a sense of realism and choice that most games (including OGW, to tell the truth: I'm sure many people have wondered why you just stand there while weaponless) lack.
I thank you for your time reading my suggestion, feel free to comment! Implemented or not, I can't wait for GW2 to come out!
