Weapon's Forum by GM Mikos

Original Logging by Lord Tsoran de Argonoth

Mikos calls the assembly to order. After a moment the crowd quiets down. Mikos says, "Let me first make a few announcements to avoid unnecessary questions. First, this forum is to announce some upcoming changes and to let you know where things are headed in the longer term.
Second, this forum is not here to address specific,"What is a ?" questions.
Third, this forum is to get feedback from you on changes you expect, or feel need to be made to weapons, for one reason or another. If you have questions you wish to ask, please type HELP to get the working commands for this room. We've had a number of new weapons in the works for some time. Those will be released into the game in the next several weeks. Some you won't see as new:bastard swords, longswords, claidhmores, estocs. You've seen them before,but now they won't be simply renamed falchions or broadswords. They'll have stats of their own that will make them different. In fact most if not all of them you likely have seen renamed versions of in the past." I will be trying to end this forum in two hours, just so we don't losesleep over it. Running into the wee hours of the morning doesn't do anyone well on a Sunday night
The following weapons will be released with their own distinct stats: longsword, tiger-claw, military pick, awl-pike, bastard sword,flamberge, estoc, backsword, pilum, ball & chain, Hammer of Kai, and jeddart-axe.

"Kythyn says, 'Will this forum address the purported unbalancing of warriors?'
Mikos smiles.

Mikos says, "That is not the focus of this forum."

Wolflone says, 'Will the breakage system come back? and how soon will the bard circle be completed?'


Mikos says, "The breakage system will be coming back, although no time frame has been set. And this forum will not address spell circles."

Myeluh says, 'Mikos about polearms and not melee range'

Mikos says, "I'm not sure what the exact question is meant to be. Myeluh, you might want to try again."
Frorin says, 'if I have a weapon mentioned like a flamberge for example will the stats change on it..?'

Mikos says, "That hasn't been decided yet. For some like the bastard sword it's easier to change all to the new stats. For some it will require a conversion vessel. No decision has been made yet as far as which will be changed and which will be left as unique items as the new weapons come in."

Myeluh asks, ‘What about non-frontline weapons like polearms and ranged weapons?’

Mikos says, "Some of the weapons mentioned are polearms. None are ranged weapons. I haven't heard of any date for implementation of the Engagement System, so don't expect this to be related to that at all."

Flandamier says, 'Are there any upcoming archery weapons that will be implemented?'

Mikos says, "No comment at this time."

Nanna says, 'The new bastardsword will be a single entity then and not a scripted broadsword? I also noticed claidhmore wasn't on your second list? Also, will you be releasing the damage factors and AvD's of these weapons?'


Mikos says, "Yes, the bastard sword will be a single entity, but by it's nature it will still be scripted. The claidhmore was left off my second list by oversight. You won't see any change to its stats, it is simply being updated for GM's ease of replacement. At this point we are not planning on releasing a list of Damage factors or AvD's for the new weapons. Experimentation is part of the fun."
Mikos winks.

Aaton says, 'how are we going to get these weapons'

Mikos says, "They will show up via merchants, chests, on critters, or via auctions. The usual means. Some will show up in shops eventually."
Shalwend says, 'Mikos 'Will there be any new polearms?'

Mikos says, "Yes, the awl-pike and the pilum are both polearms, as are the Hammer of Kai and the jeddart-axe. Intended changes are that one-handed halberds will be going away. Also, expect lances to be down-tweaked drastically. And there is likely to be small down-tweaks to
falchions."

Brinal says, 'Warriors are treated very unfairly in terms of weaponed combat. Yes they have the opportunity to train 3 times in weapons etc. But, their numbers are the same as any other class with the same numbers. Making Warriors extremely inferior in the long run. In the use of weapons, will this be addressed in the changes?'

Mikos says, "Nope, these changes are just to weapons that are by nature available to all adventurers. This is not an attempt to fix the warrior problem. It's additions to the available weapons in the game, and changes that are recognized as needed regardless of who is wielding them.

Alizarean says, 'Will we be able to distinguish a new longsword from an old one?'

Mikos says, "Yes, if you become familiar with the stats. But you won't be able to tell by looking at them."

Thornack says, 'Is there going to be a standard on critting, and padding? not like there are different degrees of critting and padding from different merchants.'

Mikos says, "This is not on the subject, but yes, we are moving toward standardization in some form. Please keep in mind that different merchants will still have different levels of expertise and different preferences."

Tenser says, 'what will happen to the old weapons. Will a 'old' longsword still be a renamed falchion?'

Mikos says, "Yes, old weapons, unless we announce a change, will remain as they are. However, don't expect a GM doing a replacement to recreate a renamed weapon. We will have no interest in perpetuating the old versions."

Darcbless says, 'Clerics who train in Blunts can get an Eonake Mace that is weighted however Eonake Waraxes are not aloud to be weighted which punishes clerics for how they trained any chance this will change?'


Mikos says, "I wasn't aware of this as policy or as a problem. I'll make a note and look into it."

Taerjaedan says, 'Are there going to be totally new weapons created,or just modified old ones, because I use blunts and there are hardly enough kinds out there'

Mikos says, "The next batch of new weapons will concentrate on blunt weapons and more polearms, specifically a couple of one-handed polearms to replace the one-handed halberds that will be going away."

Omnirus says, 'Will there be a specific way to determine stats or will this be another bard function?'

Mikos says, "The usual means of determining stats will be available. A list of stats may be posted, but there's no plan to at this point."

Grimar says, 'When can we expect breakage and how will it work?'

Mikos says, "There is no timeframe for breakage to come back in. You should see plenty of announcements prior to it being implemented. It will work as it used to, striking other hard objects will generate a chance of a weapon or shield breaking. There has been discussion of repair skills, but so far that's just discussion."
Cedorian says, 'will there be an engagement system added?'

Mikos says, "Don't hold your breath."

Leag says, 'are there going to be any brawling weapons introduced ?will there be any weapons that can be used 1 and 2 handed. also where can we get a list of all the new weapons and what ones have been changed. could they make a change so that when you look at or examine a weapon it tells you what type it is (i.e. 2 hander polearm ext.)'


Mikos says, "There will be more brawling weapons added, but don't expect them soon. We'll be looking them over closely and adding them slowly. Besides the bastard sword, a hand-switchable blunt weapon will be in the next batch of new weapons. Call it a bastard flail or bastard mace if you like. As far as having the skill needed apparent by looking at the weapon, don't expect it. It's not easy to do without eliminating long descriptions or something like that."

Juleena says, 'Mikos will this forum cover the uselessness of using two-handed or two-weapon style?'


Mikos says, "No, this forum will not address skills, only weapons."

Deraknian says, 'Mikos what will Kai's hammer be like?'
Mikos says, "It's a polearm. Similar to a Lucerne Hammer if you're familiar with that weapon from another world."

Stonenkin says, 'host concerning these new weapons, when will there stats be released, and will they require a different type of training be required to use the proficiency'

Mikos says, "The new weapons will all use existing skills. In future we might be adding weapons that require a mix of skills, for instance brawling and OHE."

Gartt says, 'Are there plans in the works to fix weapons that currently have bugs. e.g. staves & cudgels (you mentioned lances &halberds)? Additionally, will weapon damage types be straightened out? War mattocks that do no puncture damage, for example.Finally, are there plans to down-tweak the morningstar along with the falchion?'

Mikos says, "Yes to all of the above."

Iras says, 'By how soon will the release of these weapons be?'
Mikos says, "Within the next several weeks. They've been approved from on-high, it's just a matter of how best to get them out there."

Ayaki says, 'You said a small tweak of fals. Will 'old fals' be tweaked as well? Seems hardly fair to change a weapon that is already in existence'

Mikos says, "Yes, I am talking about tweaks to existing weapons that are out in the game. It may not seem fair, but we'd prefer to have no single "best" weapon in the game. It forces players to choose between advancing as quickly as they can, and choosing to be unique."

Rhiith says, 'It seems to me that the selection of blunt weapons does not compare to the availability of edged types. Will the selection of good blunt weapons be increased with the introduction of new weapons?'
Mikos says, "You're right, and that will be addressed in the next batch of new weapons."
Cloudberst says, 'how much will these weapons cost and will there be a level restriction like magic metals?'

Mikos says, "There is no plan for any level restriction on the new weapons. Normal versions of them will be priced comparably to existing weapons."

Kelfini says, 'Mikos what is meant by scripting a weapon?'

Mikos says, "Scripting a weapon means it has a piece of programming code hooked to it to make it function correctly. Bastard swords are the current example, but we intend to add some polearms that will be scripted to for special sorts of attacks.

Siraris says, 'will we be seeing more higher enchanted items since breakage is coming back and will it be easier to get'

Mikos says, "I would expect if items start going away from breakage, you'll see them being sold more too."

Julesia says, 'Mikos What about old quest items (unique items) and defender weapons? Will they be converted to this new system or left as relics? Also, a little off topic, will death mechanics ever be brought back to what they once were or will death stay as meaningless as it now is.'

Mikos says, "Don't expect unique weapons to change. Most conversion schemes check for unique descriptions or other telltales on unique items. As far as death mechanics, that isn't being addressed at this forum."

Mikos smiles.

Kounan says, 'Mikos 'are any new magic metals going to be added?'
Mikos says, "No, although you should expect a new round of renames for some materials. I think most of the better ones you recognize as being decent names. Some you don't see very often we're working on changing to improve them."

Quiet says, 'I admit ignorance, but were any of the new weapons, flexible weapons (like whips)?'

Mikos says, "No, none of the new weapons are flexible like whips. The next batch of new weapons will concentrate on polearms and blunts, the batch after that will involve close examination to get old weapons that aren't currently functional back into the game."

Lleto says, 'First, will the release of these items be en masse? Or will they be running around in small numbers and gradually grow? Second, will the position of weighted weapons be in any way affected? There are many weighted items out there, and they are growing more and more commonplace.'

Mikos says, "Release of the new weapons has already been addressed, so I won't repeat. As far as weighted weapons go, none of the new ones are weighted. I wouldn't hazard a guess at this point on the future availability of weighted weapons."

Katrinia says, 'What happens to someone who has spent a long time getting a weapon that is good for them, (i.e. enchanted, critted, etc.)Spent many hours and much money. And now they end up with a weapon that is not the best for them because of the stat change. Will there be any compensation?'

Mikos says, "That situation is exactly why no decision has been made about converting old weapons. We recognize that folks have spent time and money customizing weapons. This is not intended to penalize them in any way. That's one of the biggest reasons for not changing existing weapons at all. In the long term, the longer you hear no announcement about changing old weapons, the less likely it will be to happen."


Willgor says, 'Mikos can you repeat the list of changes for those of us that couldn't get in at the beginning'

Mikos says, "Sure thing: longsword, tiger-claw (OHE), military pick(2H), awl-pike(PA), claidhmore, backsword, estoc, bastard sword, crowbill(OHC), flamberge(2H), jeddart-axe(PA), Hammer of Kai(PA), ball & chain(OHC), pilum(PA 1H). PA is polearm, OHE is One-handed edged, OHC is One-handed crushing. Anything else should be painfully obvious."

Quavvy says, 'You are saying quite a bit about down-tweaking weapons. Will there be any weapons that will be made MORE powerful? Such as the axe, and it's comparably low AvD factor against most creatures and armors? '

Mikos says, "I haven't seen a weapon yet that cried out for up-tweaking, except maybe the spear. We'll be looking closely at all of the existing weapons in the near future, though."

Rthur says, 'Mikos and how about some added DS for two weapon fighters, that extra weapon should be good for parring, and are scimitars gonna hit harder?'

Mikos says, "That kind of change is more likely to come attached to a specific weapon, like a main gauche. Currently we're looking at adding that, but it's far from being added at this point. Right now there's no planned change to scimitars."

Twofists says, 'will weapons like the bastard sword hold their rarity value or will they become cheaper and more easily found'

Mikos says, "I don't expect the rarity of specific weapons to change. This is just a change to give them unique stats."

Kayveen says, 'Mikos Are the weapons in Icemule going to be able to be made in different metals, like in Wehnimers?'

Mikos says, "That's more of a town question. I haven't looked into that at all, although I do expect as new weapons are added you'll see them in the shops in some town and not in others. There will likely be regional availability to some extent."

Effrimon says, 'are we talking about several batches of new weapons over an extended time period?'

Mikos says, "Yes, we are. The ones I've named in the list will be added in the next few weeks. The other batches I've mentioned will be coming later this fall and later in the year."

Mpov says, ‘Will you be modifying e-bladed weapons or e-blading in any way?’

Mikos says, "Nope."

Wrenikle says, 'is a leg, neck, head or any other body part a hard item?'

Mikos says, "No. A weapon or shield is a hard item."

Mikos smiles. Mikos says, "Or a rock." Mikos winks.

Wilfredin says, 'Mikos, earlier you said that falchions (along with other weapons) would be tweaked down as far as the ones already out there and the ones sold in the future after the change. Will this affect falchion based weapons as well such as longswords?'

Mikos says, "Yes, any change to falchions will affect falchion-based weapons. If we tweak the base weapon, we affect all renamed versions of them."

Cru says, 'when you say a falchion will be tweaked down, does that mean the DF will be lowered and the weapon will become 'faster'because of it?'

Mikos says, "Likely the DF will be lowered on an AsG or two. It is unlikely that it will become any faster."

Phyro says, 'Will any of the blunts in creation actually NOT puncture? As it is, it’s a bit ridiculous. Or, will changes be made to stars and maces to make them not puncture?'

Mikos says, "I'd have to look again. One thing to remember is that OHC is One-Hand Crushing, it is not blunt as is so often mentioned. Morning Stars and flails are commonly built with points, that is why they do puncture crits. A crowbill is a OHC, but it is a beaked weapon, it does puncture crits too."

Devilskull says, 'If a weapon containing the old stats is lost, will it be replaced with the old stats or with the new "Tweaked" stats? AND Also How will it be determined when and where or if a weapon breaks? AND On a final note are there actually poisoned weapons in existence and if not will we ever see them?'

Mikos says, "If an old weapon is lost, it will be replaced with whatever profile exists for that weapon. We're confusing tweaked with new weapons here. Tweaked means the existing stats have been changed for all instances of a weapon. New weapons that are being introduced to replace renamed weapons are different. Right now there is no set policy for replacing old renamed weapons, with renamed old base weapons or with the new weapon."

Augustii says, 'Will defender class weapons be affected, and if so,how?'

Mikos says, "Defender weapons are unique weapons in themselves. Currently, aside from the main gauche that does not work as it should, defender weapons have a special enchantment on them. This isn't being affected by any planned changes."

Shawnessey says, '"Mikos, Will there be any new Sanctified weapons or changes to existing Sanctified weapons?'

Mikos says, "Sanctified weapons again are qualities unique to a single weapon. There are no planned changes for specific qualities at this time."

Latog says, 'wouldn't implementing the engagement system make non ranged/polearm weapons virtually useless?'

Mikos says, "I don't expect that to be an issue in the foreseeable future."

Inashadow says, 'I don't understand how an old claid is just a renamed falchion/broad, it hits harder and has a different AvD. And why not allow warriors to be able to tell the different stats,since they're supposed to be the weapon experts? And all this downtweaking you speak of cannot help the warrior's plight much...we don't hear so much about spell downtweaking while critters are getting uptweaked regularly...what say the gods to that? Thank you.'

Mikos says, "An old claidh is a renamed 2handed sword, with some tuning done to it. Giving special abilities to warriors to distinguish skills needed for a specific weapon is beyond what we're addressing here. You might want to suggest that to Giacomo as a warrior's guild skill. Downtweaking isn't intended to help or hurt any specific class. The biggest gripe I've heard yet about downtweaking was about lances and was from a cleric. Spells are being looked at constantly for game balance. These changes are about weapons that every class uses."

Gartt says, 'If weapon damage types are modified (as in the afore-mentioned war mattock (military pick?)), will there be a new maul weapon class? There are a number of these in the lands now,and to have them doing puncture along with the new mattocks/picks would be just changing which weapon has the problem.'

Mikos says, "What kind of damage a weapon does is weapon-specific. I don't see that a new class of weapon is needed, we simply need to look at existing weapons and make sure that their current damage type makes sense and change it if it doesn't."

Siraris says, 'You said before that you were bringing back old items,what are some of the items these would be. I was also wondering why would you bring back the older weapons, because the ones that people have now will go down in value and that is unfair to the people who had the rare items in the first place.'

Mikos says, "By old items I meant grappling nets, whips, some of the brawling weapons. What I meant wasn't selling new ones, although that may happen, what I was talking about was making them functional in the combat system again."

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