In Diablo III each class can only use certain types of weapons. Complete information on which classes can use which weapon types has not been released, but those we are aware of are listed here: Monk--Pole Arms, Battle Staves, and Fist weapons (class exclusive). Wizard--Wands, Orbs (class exclusive). Witch Doctor--Wands. Barbarian--Swords, Axes, Daggers, Pole Arms. Demon Hunter--Bows, Crossbows, Pistol Crossbows.
Blizzard has stated that there are two reasons for these limitations. First, they want the weapon choices available to the player to match the tone of the character, so Wizards aren't swinging around Mauls and Barbarians aren't shooting puny wands. Second, Blizzard wants to reduce the number of animations required. For each class and weapon, a new and unique animation must be made. Limiting weapon choice per character helps them reduce the number of animations needed, giving the animation department more time to perfect the animations already required.
I was really disappointed to read this. "You will play the game the way we want you to play it". I always liked to make fun and original builds. This is an aspect of the game I liked. I think it is always good, on a game design point of view, to give more freedom.
I hope this information is no longer relevant. Is it that hard to at least add 1 melee weapon to each class? A sword for the wizard, an hammer for the demon hunter and a dagger for the witch doctor?
It wouldn't be THAT hard wouldn't it?
Anyway, it isn't game breaking, but it killed me a bit in the inside.
How does the fact that certain classes can use certain weapons kill melee wizards. Considering there are traits for a melee wizard specifically. From what i can tell they "want us to play that way" and a number of other ways. You haven't played the game nor have you tried any of these things out. Either you are trolling or you are a little to reactive.
Spectral Blade + Mirror Image + Magic Weapon + Diamond Skin with Storm Armor and Teleport = deadly combo? Maybe, melee still isn't out of the question for Wizards. Who knows come beta time.
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"The righteous shall fall before the wicked, and all of Creation shall tremble before the burning standards of Hell."
How does the fact that certain classes can use certain weapons kill melee wizards. Considering there are talent for a melee wizard specifically. From what i can tell they "want us to play that way" and a number of other ways. You haven't played the game nor have you tried any of these things out. Either you are trolling or you are a little to reactive.
Spectral Blade + Mirror Image + Magic Weapon + Diamond Skin with Storm Armor and Teleport = deadly combo? Maybe, melee still isn't out of the question for Wizards. Who knows come beta time.
That's close range spellcasting. Thats as awkward as going melee with a bow. It's not melee.
Melee range is melee whats the difference other than it doesn't scale with weapon damage instead with gear/spell power whatever stat they call it. Same concept using different mechanics.
Edit: Also they never said Wizards can't use swords, think i saw a screenshot where a Wizard was holding a sword and an orb, don't remember from where. But, that's probably where Magic Weapon comes into play( from Diablowiki.net
Magic Weapon - A spell for the battle mage, this one imbues huge magical damage into the wizard's weapon).
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"The righteous shall fall before the wicked, and all of Creation shall tremble before the burning standards of Hell."
Melee range is melee whats the difference other than it doesn't scale with weapon damage instead with gear/spell power whatever stat they call it. Same concept using different mechanics.
So a nova sorc = a melee sorc ? that's not exactly what I think.
I get the desire for maximum customization and build diversification, but in terms of evaluating the class on its powers and where it draws strength from, a melee wizard? I mean, D3 isn't the type of game to allow subclassing, so you have to go with the class archetype. Can't build a wand barb, or some kind of archer WD. The classes are DEFINED by how they fight. Not allowing mages to swing around fist weapons doesn't take away much, it kinda makes sense. If you want melee, why not just play a melee class?
Wizards can use a lot of melee weapons. There's not that many restrictions I don't think. I'm almost 100% certain they can use the majority of 1h melee weapons and shields. I *think* the restrictions for them are for big melee 2 handers, like mauls and 2h axes and stuff.
Wizards can use a lot of melee weapons. There's not that many restrictions I don't think. I'm almost 100% certain they can use the majority of 1h melee weapons and shields. I *think* the restrictions for them are for big melee 2 handers, like mauls and 2h axes and stuff.
Melee wizard is far from dead.
I hope so. I was getting the impression they could only have wands and orbs.
The wiki is up to date. If you read, it says current known weapons of use but not only weapons they can use nthe only weapons we know wizards can't use are two-handed weapons. So maces, daggers, swords and axes (all single-handed) should be able to be equipped. They even have weapon enchant skill so... I definitely plan on creating a melee wizard.
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Couple of things to note last year some time (I don't have a reference sorry) I saw a listing of weapon ideas for classes and there were 1 or 2 melee weapons for wiz and doc. Plus with the new stats system I see the new Attack stat being a bigger factor for damage based on weapon or not. For those unfamiliar with new stats there is no strength, agility and the like any more they are now Attack, Precision, Vitality, Defense, and Willpower. Attack is literally damage for everything spells melee it's an in general damage stat. Check the wiki for more info on the stats. So no the melee wiz idea is not gone. You just need to be little more open minded in your definition of "melee wizard". Like others said melee range is melee Regardless of spell use or not. Plus short of enchant you didn't really have a melee D2 sorc. As an extra note for melee wiz spell line up ray of frost with Indigo seems a must. But that's just me.
I did have a somewhat related question on this topic. Will weapons have attack speeds based on what class uses them like D2 did? i.e. my pally could swing a hammer (skill free) a good bit faster than say my druid or assassin and so on.
Wiki info is based on last Blizzcon mostly. It's dated as hell, even if that's the last thing we heard. Since then attributes have been changed and a lot of new animations were added. Bashiok mensioned some time ago that every class will probably be able to use any existing weapons except some class-specific (Dual Crossbows, Wands, Orbs, 2H-weapons) once animation for them is done. Prooflinks FTW:
Good news is that animation seems to be ahead of schedule, so we're working on a new definition of restrictions that's based more on class flavor than anything else. (Didn't I just post about this?) For instance we don't want anyone but the barbarian or monk dual-wielding, we don't want anyone but the witch doctor or wizard using wands, we don't want anyone but the wizard to wield orbs, fist weapons will probably only be usable by the monk, etc. etc. but other than for flavor reasons most of the restrictions are being removed.
Also some spells seem to be based on caster's weapon damage, so many Wizards will carry a sword or a mace. Magic weapon enchances your weapon nicely and may turn out to be lovely with certain runes. Wizard in D3 feels like a 50/50 ranged/melee oriented and going pure melee is a viable option, really. Reading the forums I get the impression there will be far more melee Wizards then ranged ones when game comes out...
For each class and weapon, a new and unique animation must be made.
Also for each gender as Bashiok has stated.
Those confirmed so far are: Axes, Swords, Daggers, Staves, Pole Arms, Mauls, Fist Weapons, Orbs, Wands (which are now a ranged weapon), Bows, and Battle Staves.
Also shields were in game (see Artisan video for example).
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It is told that Buddha, going out to look on life, was greatly daunted by death. "They all eat one another!" he cried, and called it evil. This process I examined, changed the verb, said, "They all feed one another." and called it good.
Wizards can use a lot of melee weapons. There's not that many restrictions I don't think. I'm almost 100% certain they can use the majority of 1h melee weapons and shields. I *think* the restrictions for them are for big melee 2 handers, like mauls and 2h axes and stuff.Melee wizard is far from dead.
I hope so. I was getting the impression they could only have wands and orbs.
As already pointed out by Scyber, the Wiki is only listing the known class specific weapons. I can assure you, as an example, a Wizard will be able to use a one handed sword if you wanted to. While Blizzard is indeed putting effort into making each class take advantage of certain weapons, it's just not tasteful to only allow a class to use suiting weapons, and surly would be opposed to in the development board.
As Graad_87's links detail, the animation team treats each weapon animation with its own flavor. Taking into account what class is using it, what spell is being cast, how that character as a person would use this weapon. Also seeing as Bashiok mentioned the animation team being ahead of schedule, and how a lot of the class - weapon restrictions are being removed (Likely do to the fact that they're ahead) this farther supports the possibility that such builds as a Melee Wizard may be possible with enough knowledge of the class, and even how the skill runes effect that classes skills.
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wiz·ard
[wiz-erd] Show IPA
–noun
1.
a person who practices magic; magician or sorcerer.
2.
a conjurer or juggler.
3.
Also, whiz, wiz
[wiz] Show IPA
. a person of amazing skill or accomplishment: a wizard at chemistry.
Pretty hilarious considering the Merlin myth is one of the prime inspirations for "Wizards" as a class in all of these games. But the genre may have taken on a life of it's own now beyond it's origins...
I was really disappointed to read this. "You will play the game the way we want you to play it". I always liked to make fun and original builds. This is an aspect of the game I liked. I think it is always good, on a game design point of view, to give more freedom.
I hope this information is no longer relevant. Is it that hard to at least add 1 melee weapon to each class? A sword for the wizard, an hammer for the demon hunter and a dagger for the witch doctor?
It wouldn't be THAT hard wouldn't it?
Anyway, it isn't game breaking, but it killed me a bit in the inside.
/rant
Edit: called traits talents, silly me.
Because they can only use wands and orbs?
That's close range spellcasting. Thats as awkward as going melee with a bow. It's not melee.
Melee range is melee whats the difference other than it doesn't scale with weapon damage instead with gear/spell power whatever stat they call it. Same concept using different mechanics.
Edit: Also they never said Wizards can't use swords, think i saw a screenshot where a Wizard was holding a sword and an orb, don't remember from where. But, that's probably where Magic Weapon comes into play( from Diablowiki.net
Magic Weapon - A spell for the battle mage, this one imbues huge magical damage into the wizard's weapon).
So a nova sorc = a melee sorc ? that's not exactly what I think.
Melee wizard is far from dead.
I hope so. I was getting the impression they could only have wands and orbs.
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I did have a somewhat related question on this topic. Will weapons have attack speeds based on what class uses them like D2 did? i.e. my pally could swing a hammer (skill free) a good bit faster than say my druid or assassin and so on.
http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=27808130599&postId=278057081745&sid=3000#3
http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=23710862003&postId=237085289187&sid=3000#19
http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=23710862003&postId=237085288489&sid=3000#12
Also some spells seem to be based on caster's weapon damage, so many Wizards will carry a sword or a mace. Magic weapon enchances your weapon nicely and may turn out to be lovely with certain runes. Wizard in D3 feels like a 50/50 ranged/melee oriented and going pure melee is a viable option, really. Reading the forums I get the impression there will be far more melee Wizards then ranged ones when game comes out...
EDIT: May be someone should update Diablo III wiki on that matter already.
http://www.diablowiki.com/Items_(Diablo_III)
Also for each gender as Bashiok has stated.
Also shields were in game (see Artisan video for example).
As already pointed out by Scyber, the Wiki is only listing the known class specific weapons. I can assure you, as an example, a Wizard will be able to use a one handed sword if you wanted to. While Blizzard is indeed putting effort into making each class take advantage of certain weapons, it's just not tasteful to only allow a class to use suiting weapons, and surly would be opposed to in the development board.
As Graad_87's links detail, the animation team treats each weapon animation with its own flavor. Taking into account what class is using it, what spell is being cast, how that character as a person would use this weapon. Also seeing as Bashiok mentioned the animation team being ahead of schedule, and how a lot of the class - weapon restrictions are being removed (Likely do to the fact that they're ahead) this farther supports the possibility that such builds as a Melee Wizard may be possible with enough knowledge of the class, and even how the skill runes effect that classes skills.
I don't think melee Wizards are dead at all. Like Scyber said, two handed weapons are out of the question.
I don't think if I did a wizard I would make a melee one. I like the fact of the wizard being a caster/supporter class to any group.
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By real do you mean not part of some made up story/game/movie? Like a juggler? see below.
wiz·ard
[wiz-erd] Show IPA
–noun
1.
a person who practices magic; magician or sorcerer.
2.
a conjurer or juggler.
3.
Also, whiz, wiz
[wiz] Show IPA
. a person of amazing skill or accomplishment: a wizard at chemistry.