With the next installment of Diablo, comes a whole new host of weapons. Weapons to stab, weapons to bludgeon, weapons to cut, and weapons to pierce. Back in Diablo II, we had all of the above. But, you were often limited in your choice of weapons.
Rarely would you see a Necromancer wielding a maul, and even more uncommon would be a Barbarian sending arrows towards his foes. Often, character classes were restricted to two, sometimes three weapon types that really worked for them. You could experiment, sure, but would often fall short of what was possible when using the "preferred weapons."
Luckily, this seems to be changing with Diablo III, as indicated by a recent post by Bashiok.
Official Blizzard Quote:
I talked to Jay a bit more about weapon restrictions last Friday and there are actually going to be some changes over all the classes to increase the weapon types usable by each by a small bit. Reason being that it looks like we probably have the bandwidth to handle it, and people just really like being able to use a lot of different weapon types to experiment with. One example he gave of an addition people were asking for (and someone here mentioned) was 2h swords for wizards, which is planned to be added now. Work hasn't really begun on these changes so its not set in stone, but it's likely this will affect the monk most substantially.
While this does mean that characters will have an increased amount of weapons to play around with, it means nothing since we have no idea what to base this on. We do not know the current amount of weapons each character can use, which makes guesswork and speculation very inaccurate.
Which, is why the first post by Bashiok on this matter must be taken into consideration, to provide insight. While it does only talk about the monk, we can compare this to the other character by looking at the wording used. Attention should be directed to the parts I have bolded.
Official Blizzard Quote:
Currently our list of weapons the monk class can use is one handed swords, polearms, combat staves, and fist weapons. That could potentially change, but its probably pretty likely those will be the weapons the monk can equip.
The flavor of the monk we're working on now is a very strong connection between a small and focused group of weapon types, and the skills that use them.
I can easily see the others being able to use 6-8 weapon types each. This is because obviously, it would not be described as "small" if it were not for some pre-existing norm to base this on. Thus, we can reason out that this is considered small because the other characters are able to utilize a much larger range of weaponry.
However, this also raises the question of how effective these weapons will be. Sure, in Diablo II, a Sorceress could use a Scythe, but did it actually work well? Rarely.
While a larger range of weaponry will be great for aesthetics and customization, it will mean nothing if said weaponry does not add anything to our current build. For example, I do not want to equip a 2H sword on my wizard (Which, is possible now) just to say that it's different. I actually want it to do something for my class, and not just serve as eye candy, and to set me apart.
With some additional speculation based on this....
Official Blizzard Quote:
Which isn't to say everyone can use everything, there are still some fairly specific restrictions. Most restrictions with this new plan would be for 'flavor' reasons. Wands will probably be wizard only because they're very 'magicy' feeling, and their projectile component is somewhat unique. Wizards probably won't be lugging around 2h maces because it just doesn't feel like they should be smashy-smashy characters. etc.
It would be odd for Blizzard to give us the ability to equip a certain weapon type with a character, without actually giving us any incentive to do so. Which, makes me think that we may be seeing more generic skill bonus items, instead of the class specific items we had back in Diablo II, or the wands for Necromancers, Staves for Sorceresses, ect.
So, even though it's a lot of speculation, it does have sound logic backing it, and I can definitely see most weapons having skill bonuses for the characters that can use them. Of course, this would mean two-handers with wizard skills.
So, ditch that staff and hoist your claymore, all the cool kids are doing it.
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i could really give a shit less if the monk can't wield a bow, or a dagger, or a maul... I like the weapons they already picked for him. Kinda stays in line with kung fu movies!!!
its the witch doctor i'm having trouble picturing wielding much more than a dagger, wand, staff, or 1 handed axe. I think it would look stupid to see the parkinson laden old boggy wielding a 2 handed sword, maul, spear etc....
I do not see Barbarians to be able to wield wands. They would likely break it in two when they wield it.
Check the last blue post referenced, with that we can definitely, and safely assume that Barbarians won't be using wands.
I know what you mean, I'm really feeling that weapons won't just be weapons anymore, but more like extensions of the character. Weapons were quite generic and interchangeable in Diablo II, but now I've got a feeling that even though we will be getting variety, said variety will be highly specialized in the bonuses they add.
He did not say that the Barbarian will not but it is likely that wands are wizard only.
I think the WD should be allowed to use wands or a special type of wand for them. Maybe a Voodoo Doll
I hope the WD gets wands... seems to fit him very well.
You know... know that i read your initial post some more... bashiok mentioned that the wand is going to have projectiles. This makes me wonder if the wand is going to be similiar to the wand in torchlight?
Although a skinny little wizard wouldn't be able to wield a giant maul, he would in fact be more than able to swing a claymore. "Gandalf did it, and not only that he dual wielded it with his staff."
I wouldn't mind seeing spears on the WD, seeing as he is from tribal backgrounds, and they mainly use spears as primary weapons. He might not get as much of a bonus from it, but at least he can equip it and poke shit with it.
One more thing though.
If Blizzard does decide to give the off weapon to some classes, I hope that they can make a system that will basically set characters apart when using the same weapon.
eg. A 300 pound barbarian would be able to wield a 2 handed sword significantly faster than a skinny wizard. Thus dealing more PHYSICAL damage with it and at greater speeds.
However, a wizard wielding this same weapon could imbue it with magical means to get elemental or magic damage out of it. Thus creating a purpose for this weapon, and still being able to set it apart from the melee characters such as Barbs.
It would, IMO, open up a whole new world of customization. Such as Witch Doctors being able to use spears, but not being able to deal as much physical damage as a barb, he would however be able to imbue his weapons with fire or locusts to get the bang for his buck.
They could even mod the monk's finishing moves depending on what weapon he is using. etc.
No possible way can a Wizard wield a 2 handed sword as such is out of the ordinary and out of range of their view of a Wizard. How are stats gonna play a part in this, since they are predetermining what a Wizard should have strength/dex/vita. Are they trying to play it off now like a Wizard honestly has the strength to wield that sword?
I am in favor of wielding any weapon I just find it funny that Blizzard is inputting our stats for us but now they are backtracking and saying oh sure the Wizard has the strength of a Barbarian. They should really just cut another corner and put the stat selection back in the game and let us actually create the character we want.
*kicks Vlad into the bottomless hole*
(sorry I had to say it :P)
Haha, I have nightmares of what PvP will be like with Teleport strike runed, be as bad as Thunder storming teleporting sorcs in 1.09 of D2.
I just wish since they now want to offer more selections to just make it easier and more like an RPG and let us decide truly how we want our characters to evolve weather they all turn Cookie cutter or not means nothing since Blizzard just gave up and said well here everyone is so and so.
I like that they are limiting weapon choice. I think it is great that they are getting rid of a lot of redundancies to focus on more important things.
I just hope that my can use a scythe.
You really think they are gonna add in some animation or a skill to allow the Wizard to carry and wield that sword or are we supposed to just assume that the Wizard is using magic to wield it? WD should have a scythe, altho I am sure it would be hated on because the Scythe looked the best on a Necro and Barb, what he should really have it like a Pickaxe type weapon like a short scythe.
They could always do something like the Arcane Warrior Spec of the Mage in Dragon Age.... give a passive that allows you to base the str stat of items off the magic stat
Yea but how many people are gonna use a skill point on that? Unless it is always given to the character, but how do they explain it for a WD?
Well.... think about how it would be a synergy of the conjuration skill tree. Weapon damage increases spell power.... being able to wield more melee damage therefore increases spell damage as well. It makes sense if played right
Fixed
My thought :
possibility EXAMPLE1:
Wizard :
1h sword: 88% of damage
2h weapon: 70%
staff: 100%
bow: 80%
barb :
1h sword: 100%
2h weapon: 100%
staff: 92%
bow: 90%
...k you know the things...
possibility EXAMPLE2:
every characters will be able to use any weapon. BUT you have STATS... auto stats will be the thing who'll guide a class to use something more efficient compared to something else.... blizzard haven't talk very accurate about it yet.... just a thought ?!?!