Magic shields and 2-handed weapons

[jerc]

I've noticed that magic shields behave somewhat differently from physical shields when it comes to two-handed weapons, and I'm not sure if it's intentional or not. I'd like to get some clarity before putting too much practice into a style that's only possible due to a bug.

Two-handed attacks are usable with an open off-hand. This is normal. What doesn't seem normal is being able to block with a magical shield simultaneously. It seems to me that your off-hand shouldn't be considered "open" if you're in roundtime from a two-handed attack, preventing magical shield use.

Magical shields can be used to block simultaneously with parrying with a two-handed weapon. Normally, your parry defense roll with a two-hander is with a d0 if your off-hand isn't actually free, but it seems like it's still considered free even if you're also blocking with a magic shield. This allows you to both block and parry with a two-hander, which enables shenanigans like getting both block and enhanced staff-parry. This is my primary motivation for getting this clarification.

There are some weird edge cases with this when combined previous suggestion and hand-and-a-half weapons. For example, if you're in RT from a longsword attack with an open hand, you'd be unable to use your magic shield and could only parry since you're two-handing the longsword. But out of RT, you could both magic-block and parry since the longsword is usable one-handed as well.

[Dorn]

...any chance of Harbingers getting some sort of magic shield?

[Gorth]

Hopefully not.

[Vazbol]

Eh, doubt it'd be worth it. You'd have to grab that and reflexive channeling. Then grab quick channel master/adept to avoid being locked into 3 second rt shield blocking a surprise pie.

though a web netting grabbing weapon strikes would be fun.

[Dorn]

Why a joke needs that much delving into...

Though I am curious to see if casting as a Harbinger is given a bit more flexibility/allowance this time around instead of locking it behind using a specific set of equipment.

Still, awesome bug. The sort of one you could have a lot of fun creating a character around if it is a feature, but no doubt it will get squashed. Would totally help bring back the old polearm casters of a bygone era however.

[Vazbol]

too much time and a lack off sleep made me realize too late that was a joke. Sorry. Though was curious how many ability points were required to setup without having to micromanage actively openning channels before engaging in the melee. but
+5 reach and round shield block would be a replacement for tumble, as all the caster setups lost access to it minus two that come to mind.


Well the default armor wouldn't work anymore for harbingers, considering how much 3 of the specs don't exactly get along with heavy armor. Though I'm curious on how much freedom there is for armored casting, or it'd take an approach like CLOK1 did. Current thing preventing me from committing to any settup.

[Dorn]

Well the default armor wouldn't work anymore for harbingers, considering how much 3 of the specs don't exactly get along with heavy armor. Though I'm curious on how much freedom there is for armored casting, or it'd take an approach like CLOK1 did. Current thing preventing me from committing to any settup.

You know, I hadn't even considered that. I'm somewhat hoping for a variation of the far superior Templar ability, or more things based around the old "Fear" ability instead of purely active like "Aura/Web" or a nice mix that means a large swarth of styles have synergy.

[Rias]

Two-handed attacks are usable with an open off-hand. This is normal. What doesn't seem normal is being able to block with a magical shield simultaneously. It seems to me that your off-hand shouldn't be considered "open" if you're in roundtime from a two-handed attack, preventing magical shield use.

Correct, being able to use magic shields and wielding towhanded weapons at the same time is unintended and will be fixed.

I am curious to see if casting as a Harbinger is given a bit more flexibility/allowance this time around instead of locking it behind using a specific set of equipment.

No plans to change that. I know some people didn't like it, but it was and still is the design intent, and a big part of their theme.

[Rias]

Per today's changelogs:

- Conjured shields can no longer be utilized when wielding a two-handed weapon or a hand-and-a-half weapon with both hands.
- The GRIP command can now be used to set the "hands" grip option between "auto" or "single". The "auto" option is the current default behavior for hand-and-a-half weapons, adjusting the grip based on whether an empty off-hand is available. The "single" option will cause hand-and-a-half weapons to always be wielded in a single hand (primarily useful for allowing conjured shields to be utilized when wielding such a weapon).

I do like the idea of some kind of special staff weapons and similar allowing for using conjured shields along with the weapon just because that's kind of the archetypal "mage" image, but it'll take some thought regarding how to keep it balanced (and logic/lore appropriate).

[jerc]

I like it! Getting to set a preference removes a lot of the guesswork on how a weapon will function.

Seems to work well with the sword grip feature as well after that speedy bug fix!

[Dorn]

No plans to change that. I know some people didn't like it, but it was and still is the design intent, and a big part of their theme.

Figured as much unfortunately. Won't be the first time I don't use their kit.