Blademasters and Polearms

[BigPapa]

When I think of a blademaster, I think of swords. Yet, when I look around i see most blademasters wielding a polearm. Sometimes I see them with exotics and least of all with two swords.

From what I know, polearms are nothing like swords and would be trained in a whole different way. I just can't imagine someone being a master of both swords and polearms.

Swords and Daggers, maybe.

Polearms and Spears, maybe.

Is there a huge benefit to using polearms? I know that they are quite defensive according to the stickied chart at the top of newbie help. What am I not getting?

Thanks

For reference. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_weapon

[f0xx]

The polearm is a slashing weapon I believe, so it is better to be compared to an axe I think. I might be wrong tho.

[Lexi]

This is a fantasy world.

Obviously, you have never watched the 'Bleach'-anime.

[tassinvegeta]

I personally think that not only would it benefit the rp of blademasters to take away polearm (and maybe spears), but it would help to balance out the class. It would give classess that have an incredibly hard time against them i.e. dark knights, paladins and help to level out the playing field.

[Kinicky]

It's not a sword master. It's a BLADE master.

A polearm, when I think of it, is generally a large blade on the end of a long pole.

Spears on the others hand... they just stab you.

[BigPapa]

Polearms are generally stabbing weapons, you normally are not taking an 8 foot pole and slashing with it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_weapon

[Pali]

I personally think that not only would it benefit the rp of blademasters to take away polearm (and maybe spears)' date=' but it would help to balance out the class. It would give classess that have an incredibly hard time against them i.e. dark knights, paladins and help to level out the playing field.[/quote']

I actually think this would be such a change that it would actually make blademasters a bit too weak. They already only have four weapons.

And when I think of a blademaster, I think of someone who's basically a martial artist with weapons. Clumsy or brute force weapons like axes, clubs, or staffs aren't their thing, but anything that you can basically twirl around yourself and dance with that still has a blade on it is their thing.

[mya]

Viri based the class on samurai's and probably on blademasters from Wheel of Time series (Robert Jordan).

Samurai's use all the weapon shown in the game, lacking only the Bow.

[Guest emp_newb]

pikes are stabbing weapons, Glaives, poleaxes, halberds are all slashing/battering weapons. Bec De corbins are big friggin hammers.

[Guest emp_newb]

Polearms are generally stabbing weapons, you normally are not taking an 8 foot pole and slashing with it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_weapon

and actually, that is a HUGE basis for polearms An axe with a 3 foot shaft can cleave this guy. An axe with an 8 foot shaft can cleave him better.

The purpose of using pole weapons is either to extend reach or to increase angular momentum—and thus striking power—when the weapon is swung.

Thats taken from your link

[Kinicky]

This is what I think of when I think of Polearms. Probably because this is the only polearm type weapon I have done any training in.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaive

[Aulian]

It's not a sword master. It's a BLADE master.

A polearm, when I think of it, is generally a large blade on the end of a long pole.

Spears on the others hand... they just stab you.

Lol that made me laugh so much

[f0xx]

This is what I think of when I think of Polearms. Probably because this is the only polearm type weapon I have done any training in.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaive

That is a picture of a freaking knife... not even two handed knife...

[Aulian]

It actually says there that taht is just the blade.

[tassinvegeta]

I actually think this would be such a change that it would actually make blademasters a bit too weak. They already only have four weapons.

Yet they are able to completely destroy most classess in melee.

[Nekky]

Blademasters use polearms because they, unlike other polearm wielding classes, get the same amount of attacks with one as they would if dual wielding.

So you get the high offence of a polearm, the same amount of attacks as you would if you were dual wielding, and the extra defence of two handed to boot.

[Kinicky]

That is a picture of a freaking knife... not even two handed knife...

From that same article:

Typically, the blade was around 18 inches (55 cm) long, on the end of a pole 6 or 7 feet (180-210 cm) long

[f0xx]

Sorry, didn't read the article at all, just saw the picture

And yeah, if that blade(55cm) is actually sticked to a 200cm long pole, well that is exactly how I imagine those polearms.

Btw, taken from "help class"

Blademasters - Masters of Swordplay.

[archgold]

oh by the way if you guys check up the chinese weapon guan do which is like tiny bit of curved sword stuck on top of a medium length pole I think you would reconsider your positions....in the sense of polearms not being suitable for blademasters. But then....it's also true that no where IG is there such a weapon named guan do which does proves everyones point that polearms aren't actually suitable. But then I have a point to make also....(i'm rambling now) that I suggest everyone look up the words lance: polearm in google and you should come see the first site and then you click on it and read it and it says that lances or "polearms" have the capabilities on foot for thrusting and dealing large damage through two handed slashes and slices...or something along that point.

[Kinicky]

RP wise, I think that polearms make a lot of sense for BLMs.

However, I think that for balance issues, removing polearms would go a LONG way. Besides, two handed weapons on BLMs work best for casters, as they allow spellkill and Serpent strike. And to my knowledge, there is no caster that can use spears. Maybe hybrids, but myeh.

In that case, a double-gripped monorod would still be pretty hard core. and sacrifice a bit of the phenomenal defense a BLM has.

[Guest emp_newb]

no, taking that away forces them to use CRAP. you can beat a blm with a polearm, its not impossible people. Thats like saying Cure crit is way to effective, limit clerics to cure light so people can kill them.

[Tantangel]

RP wise, I think that polearms make a lot of sense for BLMs.

However, I think that for balance issues, removing polearms would go a LONG way. Besides, two handed weapons on BLMs work best for casters, as they allow spellkill and Serpent strike. And to my knowledge, there is no caster that can use spears. Maybe hybrids, but myeh.

In that case, a double-gripped monorod would still be pretty hard core. and sacrifice a bit of the phenomenal defense a BLM has.

Problem I see with polearms and BLMs though is that it's not only the best viable choice for mages, but melee as well. I've ranked with BLMs tons of times and their weapon of choice has always been a Polearm, and even with a very basic polearm they can go rounds and rounds without ever being really hit without sacrificing any attacks. Maybe they should have two handed removed instead of just taking polearm away from them to balance it out a little more and possibly make it so that their attack output was lessened by at least one attack per round when wielding a two handed weapon rather than letting them keep the same offense capabilities as if they were dual wielding.

[Iyorvin]

I don't mind the blademasters having their weapon selection, what I do believe they should lose is H2H fighting. I think this would give monks an even par with them, as well as increasing certain other disadvantages. H2H doesn't belong with a blademaster anyway.

[Kinicky]

no' date=' taking that away forces them to use CRAP. you can beat a blm with a polearm, its not impossible people. Thats like saying Cure crit is way to effective, limit clerics to cure light so people can kill them.[/quote']

Here's the problem I see with blademasters.

They deal out INSANE damage. At the same time, they have INSANE defense.

They can mal you up like a shaman, or lag you like a warrior.

They can also disable your most effective attack, whether you are a mage or a melee.

Now, they ARE beatable. Especially if you can find a way to milk their mana. But we have a combination of some of the strongest elements of multiple class types, while removing their weaknesses.

Forcing them to use 'CRAP' (and a monorod is far from crap, imo) allows them to keep the extensive strengths of the class while balancing it so, when they deal out hefty damage, they also TAKE more damage. Or if they go defensive, their damage has a penalty. If they REALLY want a polearm, there is a stance that allows it - and maybe doing this would make that stance more viable.

Just my thought.

[Guest Birdman]

I like this idea. I would like to see them lose polearms and spears. I think that would add some flavor to the game--Non-giant characters would actually be seen wielding a two-handed sword. Blademasters also have a bladelore that allows them to mimic the rating of any weapon for attack and defense--People might actually get some use out of that skill.

Blademasters can be very tough the way they are right now. They're not unbeatable. I'm certainly not owning the playerbase with mine. I'm in favor of this change--I don't see it making my blademaster that much worse, just a little different. And it would make the class conform a bit better to my mental picture of what they should be.