Throwing Weapons

[Sparhawk]

Throwing axes, knives, shuriken, and javelins are good for running enemies, and normal warriors could learn to throw these with skill, and mass producing these would be fairly easy, except for axes and javelins, due to the full metal, small designs.

Axes and javelins would be harder to make, but they do much better damage, javelins would be slower to throw, but longer range, and axes would take more time to master.

For throwing knives and shuriken, you could make poisons out of farmed plants to poison the blades, since these do lower damage.

[CalPal]

It could potentially be over-used, though, since you could theoretically use a thrown weapon both as a ranged and melee weapon (not so with shruikens, a little hard with knives, but especially so with axes and javelins).

If you want to make thrown weapons work, they need to be:

1) much lower range than bows and (if added) crossbows; and
2) far less stronger than other melee weapons when used for this purpose

That way, they could serve a nice niche for any enemy charges to thin numbers prior to melee combat or, like you said, to catch fleeing enemies if you intend to leave no survivors. Otherwise, I would fully support the idea of thrown weapons being added into the game. Perhaps strength could determine how far the weapons can be thrown?

[Sparhawk]

It could potentially be over-used, though, since you could theoretically use a thrown weapon both as a ranged and melee weapon (not so with shruikens, a little hard with knives, but especially so with axes and javelins).

If you want to make thrown weapons work, they need to be:

1) much lower range than bows and (if added) crossbows; and
2) far less stronger than other melee weapons when used for this purpose

That way, they could serve a nice niche for any enemy charges to thin numbers prior to melee combat or, like you said, to catch fleeing enemies if you intend to leave no survivors. Otherwise, I would fully support the idea of thrown weapons being added into the game. Perhaps strength could determine how far the weapons can be thrown?

Thrown weapons would be made of a lesser quality steel or iron due to it being strictly for throwing, javelins could be used as spears but with less range, and of course bows would have much better range.

Or you can throw as much as you want at far away objects, but the accuracy is shit, and of course due to the weight would drop, being much harder for people to calculate it, and therefore taking longer to throw.

[lavagninogm]

Also to curve the idea that they would be over used you could implement a mechanic that makes them break or need repairs before they can be used again. Depending on the type of item of course. Maybe like a 5% for shurukins going up to a 25% chance for axes. This along with the space they take up in the inventory would likely lead to a character only being able to carry a few thrown weapons along with their primary weapon if they wanted to stay a viable combat character longer then just a few battles.

[Sprayer2708]

I actually think javelins are way easier to construct than shuriken.

CalPal: I don't think throwing axes would be any good in a melee. Those are quite cumbersome compared to their size. The javelin would be the only thrwoing weapon listed here you could effectively wield in melee, though far inferior to an actual spear as javelins are about half to three quarters the size of a spear.

That said, I'd like to see thrwoing weapons in the game. Then again, I'd like to see any ranged weapon in the first place.

[CalPal]

CalPal: I don't think throwing axes would be any good in a melee. Those are quite cumbersome compared to their size. The javelin would be the only thrwoing weapon listed here you could effectively wield in melee, though far inferior to an actual spear as javelins are about half to three quarters the size of a spear...

Like I said, they should be used as emergency melee weapons, only if you don't pull your other weapon out in time. Also, the very idea of throwing axes being cumbersome is awkward, because you literally need to have an axe NOT be cumbersome to make it an effective throwing weapon. They're also quite good at being used for hacking and smashing damage. You could wield one probably about as effectively as you could wield a sabre or even a heavy weapon.

[Sparhawk]

Also to curve the idea that they would be over used you could implement a mechanic that makes them break or need repairs before they can be used again. Depending on the type of item of course. Maybe like a 5% for shurukins going up to a 25% chance for axes. This along with the space they take up in the inventory would likely lead to a character only being able to carry a few thrown weapons along with their primary weapon if they wanted to stay a viable combat character longer then just a few battles.

Shurikens and throwing knives would bend, needing to have their blades redone, and javelins and throwing axes would need replacement handles, but depending on the quality of the materials you use, they will need less repairs, but will be much more expensive.

[Sparhawk]

CalPal: I don't think throwing axes would be any good in a melee. Those are quite cumbersome compared to their size. The javelin would be the only thrwoing weapon listed here you could effectively wield in melee, though far inferior to an actual spear as javelins are about half to three quarters the size of a spear...

Like I said, they should be used as emergency melee weapons, only if you don't pull your other weapon out in time. Also, the very idea of throwing axes being cumbersome is awkward, because you literally need to have an axe NOT be cumbersome to make it an effective throwing weapon. They're also quite good at being used for hacking and smashing damage. You could wield one probably about as effectively as you could wield a sabre or even a heavy weapon.

Actually, you would need a cumbersome axe (head) so it would spin better and chop like a mothafucka when it hits.

[Tolwrath]

The fact that there were axes specifically meant for throwing should tell you that they aren't so awkward as to be unusable. Also you claim javelins would be weaker than an arrow, but think about the comparative weights, not just the speed. Because of the weight of the javelin, I bet it actually hits with comparable or greater force than an arrow. Also most javelins were not entirely metal.

[Sparhawk]

The fact that there were axes specifically meant for throwing should tell you that they aren't so awkward as to be unusable. Also you claim javelins would be weaker than an arrow, but think about the comparative weights, not just the speed. Because of the weight of the javelin, I bet it actually hits with comparable or greater force than an arrow. Also most javelins were not entirely metal.

It would be harder hitting than an arrow of course, but not as long range, and slower, therefore easier to dodge.

[Tolwrath]

Agreed.

[lavagninogm]

Shurikens and throwing knives would bend, needing to have their blades redone, and javelins and throwing axes would need replacement handles, but depending on the quality of the materials you use, they will need less repairs, but will be much more expensive.

I can see that for sure. But there would deffinetly need to be some kind of balancing mechanic for throwing weapons, and I don't think it should be damage. But an unlimited use and renewable growing weapon would be OP.

[Sparhawk]

Shurikens and throwing knives would bend, needing to have their blades redone, and javelins and throwing axes would need replacement handles, but depending on the quality of the materials you use, they will need less repairs, but will be much more expensive.

I can see that for sure. But there would deffinetly need to be some kind of balancing mechanic for throwing weapons, and I don't think it should be damage. But an unlimited use and renewable growing weapon would be OP.

What do you mean renewable and growing?
As I said, used weapons would need repairs constantly, and if you used something that is in need of repair, it would most likely break.
There would be a higher chance of your weapon being hurt if it does not hit its target, or hits rocks or armor plating.

[lavagninogm]

Renewable as in you make one throwing axe and it never goes bad, or you don't need to go pick them up before the next use. 'Growing' was meant to be throwing. Damn auto correct :/

[Jake_j_a]

Sounds like a coding nightmare, I think it would be more practical and go the diablo2 way and have x number of uses, repair it to bring those uses up to original. If these limited uses are also used in melee then that would fairly well cover both arguments. Obviously better quality would have more uses.

the very idea of throwing axes being cumbersome is awkward, because you literally need to have an axe NOT be cumbersome to make it an effective throwing weapon. They're also quite good at being used for hacking and smashing damage. You could wield one probably about as effectively as you could wield a sabre or even a heavy weapon.

Throwing axes are not cumbersome in melee per-say, however you need to hold them very close to the head to have good control so you loose a good amount of force on the impact, or loose control of the head and be as likely to hack your own leg as the enemy. Hand ax (Hatchet, tomahawk) are not cumbersome in melee and can be thrown, however thier range is more limited and they are less likely to impact with the blade.

[Smiley]

well u could just trow ur katana* at em, it should work the same as a spear at short range trows. then for longer distance u can use a bow

*considering its a straight katana :p

[CalPal]

Throwing your melee weapons won't work, or at least, they'll be stupidly useless and leave you without a weapon if you forget to pick it up later. The weight is stupidly unbalanced and far too heavy to be properly thrown; if anything, you'd hurt yourself in the process of throwing a katana more than you would hurt the intended target.

[Jake_j_a]

Ok, did someone get the impression that I was suggesting having throw-able hand axes in the game? That was not my intent.

[Tolwrath]

Can you clarify then? Addition of weapons meant only to be thrown? Or ability to throw melee weapons?

[Jake_j_a]

I was simply commenting on the being able to use throwing weapons as melee weapons. Calpal's comment on throwing axes led me to believe he was envisioning hatchets or more likely tomahawks, which are not proper throwing axes, though they could be thrown effectively, and are (too often) depicted as such.