Ive played Diablo 2 back in 1.10 for about a year and remembered that polearms and the like were only generally used for mercenaries. This was due to the fact that they were so slow, had low damage (relative); hence it was almost always better to dual weld 2x 1handers or 2x 2handers.
Now in the items guide on the D3 site they state : "Any polearm will extend the reach of its wielder’s arms noticeably, allowing them to fight foes from slightly farther away."
So I am wondering is this description literal? Will polearms actually provide an in-game bonus to melee range?
I think this would be a great idea -- not only would it encourage use of these massive fearsome weapons, it would also add a lot of variety (Afterall we wouldn't want everybody to be running around using only swords/axes and maces) and flavor to the game. E.g. Imagine a WW barbarian with wider WW damage radius..
Basically what I am getting at is that I hope polearms will become a viable weapon choice throughout the entire game, and not end up as an 'inferior' weapon choice.
To achieve this, Blizzard needs to provide some incentive for using a polearm; be it longer range, higher damage, or some other bonus -- otherwise I feel that polearms will once again be overshadowed by swords/axes/maces.
Cmon! Encourage the use of the more unconventional weapon!
P.S: Correct me if I am wrong, but I am writing under the impression that polearms in D2 did NOT increase range. Its been so many years now that I can't quite remember whether they did or did not.
Look on the Arreat Summit weapons list and you will find that large weapons such as polearms and pikes have a 'rangeadder'. This was the number of squares away that the weapon would strike from. In the case of the best ones this is a 4, which essentially quadruples your range. Trust me when I tell you it is a huge bonus. Don't believe me make a whirlwind barb with a Pike and go run thru a big mob of flayers or something.
Ive played Diablo 2 back in 1.10 for about a year and remembered that polearms and the like were only generally used for mercenaries. This was due to the fact that they were so slow, had low damage (relative); hence it was almost always better to dual weld 2x 1handers or 2x 2handers.
Now in the items guide on the D3 site they state : "Any polearm will extend the reach of its wielder’s arms noticeably, allowing them to fight foes from slightly farther away."
So I am wondering is this description literal? Will polearms actually provide an in-game bonus to melee range?
I think this would be a great idea -- not only would it encourage use of these massive fearsome weapons, it would also add a lot of variety (Afterall we wouldn't want everybody to be running around using only swords/axes and maces) and flavor to the game. E.g. Imagine a WW barbarian with wider WW damage radius..
Basically what I am getting at is that I hope polearms will become a viable weapon choice throughout the entire game, and not end up as an 'inferior' weapon choice.
To achieve this, Blizzard needs to provide some incentive for using a polearm; be it longer range, higher damage, or some other bonus -- otherwise I feel that polearms will once again be overshadowed by swords/axes/maces.
Cmon! Encourage the use of the more unconventional weapon!
P.S: Correct me if I am wrong, but I am writing under the impression that polearms in D2 did NOT increase range. Its been so many years now that I can't quite remember whether they did or did not.
http://classic.battl...or.shtml#normal