Posted by Proud Blade on March 7, 2000 at 10:15:25:
In Reply to: Idea for Weapon & Shield Spec. posted by Bad Ivan on March 6, 2000 at 20:32:00:
> Rank 20 - Shield Mastery.
>
> Descripition - A warrior with this skill has been trained beyond basic shield block. He knows how to better direct his shield to block incoming attacks in the heat of battle.
> Game Effect - Same basic effect flourintine has for a sword spec would be granted to a weapon and shield spec. He would shield block better.
Kind of blah, but likely needed to make a defensive spec worth it.
> Rank 22 - Shield Punch
>
> Description - Using the wieght of the shield the warrior attempts to land a solid and unexpected punch on his opponent.
> Game Effect - The punch would have a very short delay and a possibilty of stunning his opponent for a round, although the damage would be minor(devastate-MUTILATE range for an equipped warrior).
I agree with grallon- it sounds a lot like Paladin shield bash. As you've described it, it would be very useful, assuming the delay (one round) matched the potential lag. Of course, dev/MUT damage every round in addition to keeping them lagged might be a bit much. This skill would have to be foiled by bash protection, or made so it doesn't stun so often.
> Rank 25 - Bash Deflection
>
> Description - A warrior trained in this ability has learned how to deflect the weight and momentum of an oncomming bash. Instead of standing ground and taking the bash he uses his shield to redirect the bash and keep his footing.
> Game Effect - Chance to avoid a bash based on your bash skill, bash deflect skill, and size vs. opponents bash skill and size.
It would be nice if their was some convenient way to allow warriors to reduce the effectiveness of bash- so many bad warriors use it exclusively (even when losing or close in a fight), and it would be good for the game to have a foil that might teach them that they have other skills. Warriors and A-P still have other ways to make you stay put if you reduce their bash effectiveness and grab a flight potion, so I don't think it would be so unbalancing.
> Rank 28 - Shield Sweep
>
> Description - By unexpectedly using his shield to sweep his opponents weapons out of alignment he opens up a chance to attack unabated.
> Game Effect - A successful shield sweep would prevent the next series of attacks placed by the warrior from being parried. The attacks could still be dodged, shield blocked or simply miss.
This ability would get fairly gross against any class without dodge (or just low dex). Many people don't wear a shield, and with no defenses left, they are likely to take a lot of damage. To balance it, have such a maneuver take the shield out of position for two rounds, negating shield block (and the enhanced block above). Now, sweeping that fire giant warrior (who relies on str-based parry, and a dual wield) isn't such an obvious call. It would still be very useful, especially if you could do it when not tanking, though it probably should be tanker-only for balance.
> Rank 31 - Soften Blow
>
> Description - The warrior has learned how to interdict his shield between himself and incoming non-melee caused damage. He knows that by rasing his shield and/or crouching he may soften the blast of a fireball or deflect a lighting bolt somewhat.
> Game Effect - Any non-melee damage would be treated as if resistance was in place (25% reduction in damage). Any attack that would =OBLIT= or better would have a chance to damage or destroy the shield.
While Grallon is right that it would be ugly comined with other powers... is it even close to what mages can do? Since it would only effect non-weapon damage, it would be similar to giant resist, except against other stuff. I like this idea, especially since it's risky to try this against an invoker, since losing your shield is a big problem for this warrior.
Some thought would have to go into which ability governs each skill... most of them call out to be Str-based, so the abilities would be balanced with fire giants in mind. Still, it would be great to see warriors have a reason to use a shield more often- many more historical examples exist where warriors used a weapon and shield (or a two-handed sword/axe/mace/flail for that matter), compared to two weapons.
And, no, I have I no idea what Feeder of Fate was smoking.
> My Thoughts
>
> Shield Mastery - Only seems right thing to do for a defensive spec.
> Shield Punch - Not great but a small warrior such as a gnome or svirf would do better with it on a giant than a normal bash.
> Bash Deflect - It seems to make sense that it would be harder to knock someone down who knew how to stick a shield in the way.
> Shield Sweep - Wouldn't affect a warrior-warrior battle that much but would play hell when used against a AP or Mage who dosn't get dodge.
> Soften Blow - So many heroic stories abound where the warrior uses his shield to partially avoid a Dragon's breath weapon or a magi's invoked lighting bolts that I had to include it.
>
> Overall Notes
> Well the skill names could use some work and I hope to hear perhaps some better skills in general but I thought this was a good start. I have no idea how to work this spec with the other weapon specs that are out there (eg. could a weapon shield / axe spec gain benefits of weapon shield spec and whirl with his axe? - Who Knows?). This spec wouldn't end up in the hands of a serious PKer of course, and perhaps thats a good thing. This would take an awful lot of coding but I think something like this belongs so I hope the Immortals take a good look. Ok let he hear what ya think....