How to Add in Dual Wiedling without Changing the System!

[Zekeen]

TL-DR - Read bold at bottom.

In a FAQ from not too long ago, on the official facebook page, double weapon fighting was denied as a future feature.

"Will there be more weaponry added, spears, shields?
Yes, new weapons for the existing classes, as well as new types,
including one-handed swords, un-armed combat, and possibly polearms, and
knives. I am not currently planning 2-weapon fighting or shields."

Now, this is a very understandable position for the most part, it would involve a more improved combat system, that means a lot of reworking the current code, which is time, trouble, and money, as well as more bugs.

However, as someone who is design minded as well, I can see a VERY simple work around. While I do not know the coding changes in this game that it involves and how difficult one particular matter would be (that would be placing a weapon model in the offhand), I believe that this idea would allow double weapons which a very large number of people wish to see, which would boost game popularity and thus, sales.

Rather than having it as two different weapons, do double weapons as is done in many rpgs and many mmorpgs, have them as a SINGLE WEAPON. This would be the concept of twin-blades, weapons built together specifically for dual wielding for balance in combat. Thus, the icon would show two swords, and two single handed swords would be placed in the character's hands.

If that can be done without incident, then more or less, dual wielding is done. All you have to do from there is have the single handed sword style animations play a mirrored one randomly. This would have the character swing or block with the other sword. This gives the illusion of dual wielding while inputting a minimal amount of work to edit in a dual wielding feature while maintaining a realistic and aesthetically pleasing effect. A mirrored animation would make the left arm swing instead of the right arm. It's a reverse copy of animation, and take no work to create (many programs have a mirror option). Implementation could have a code added in to just alternate if random would be too odd to put in. This would make every other block or attack from the other hand.

It would not be hard to create a variation of weapons that have different speeds, based on my limited knowledge of scripting. I could go into detail, but I do not think it would be too difficult to add. I think having them the same weapon requires less coding and issues and would have minimal invasion into the coding, thus, less bugs.

As for weapon stats, these would be wakizashi type and smaller (very few bigger) weapons with a much higher attack rate and a steep curve for being able to use effectively (IE - 50 in double swords gives you less potential than 50 in single swords). It would allow more harassment of enemies however.


In short - To add dual wielding, make them as one weapon (twin swords, ect) instead of two separate weapons chosen by the players. Just have it show a second weapon in the other hand. Then, just have the future single handed weapon type animations play mirrored animations on occasion. Every other block and attack would be from the left!


I myself am not a big fan of dual wielding, but a LOT of people want it, and as I see this method of inclusion, I do not see any reason it should not be included to appease a market of players, since this method is outrageously easy to integrate, should the system be compatible with it. Personally, I see any addition to the game adds to the depth and improves the fun in my eyes. I hope this explanation might give some ideas for development to add in a new weapon category.

[NephilimNexus]

The issue isn't inventory, it's animation.