Had this in my mind for a while now, but I wanted to ask if the Devs could allow Dual-wielding of Shields? It would be a new fighting style (ex. new battle animations) and a hybrid of Defense and Offense with a medium delay. It would offer new Shield specific weapon skills as well as usher in new types of shields to be held.
Dual Wielding Shields (view Larger):Of course the question of "Why" comes to mind, but the simple answer is to add some new battle flavor to the future of FFXI from what we've had for over 8 years now. Development wise, beyond the animation work needed for all races, the current block mechanics for shields can still be utilized when adding the new attack mechanics.
Just wondering.
King
----------------------------
EDIT*
From Post 13Dual-wielding Shield battle strategy (breakdown)
- Weapon Category
I'm indeed suggesting the implementation of a new weapon type/category vs the current available defensive only shields. These shields would be considered a Main hand weapon if used in conjunction with our traditional shields and would not activate the sub shield as a melee weapon. Only if two of these melee shields are equipped would they both be used to cause damage and thus be classified as "Dual-wielding Shields" as suggested in the Original post. The unique part of this weapon however, would be that it's actually a hybrid in terms of functionality. It would have the ability to be used as an offensive tool as well as defensive tool all by itself, so technically a player would be wielding both at once (melee + blocking + weapon skills, etc). So the programming challenge would come down to merging the properties of the two functions effectively.- Damage/Weapon skills
The damage would be on par with what a high end Axe would produce, and would indeed have an assortment of push back and enfeebling weapon skills available to the user. I can also see a number of Rush-like weapon skills that would generate spike enmity to grab the monsters attention. The damage would be primarily be blunt, but would also encompass slashing damage if a spiked or bladed-edge shield is being wielded. I really like the bonuses that you've suggested (the +shield skill, VIT based weapon skill mods) and I would include strong +counter and +parrying values to the mix. Which leads to if the melee shield should parry or not.
Since I'm suggesting this concept as a new fighting style, as awkward as it might seem, this fighting style would function like no other using an intricate mix of blocking, parrying, strong slashing/striking and stiff blows. Along with the use of two of these shields at the same time it would be a very unique display of battling.- The Devs Investment
In terms of the Devs investing time and work into a new weapon category, I believe with the new expansion coming up, finding socially unique concepts to fill out all the boarders of the new lands is a very important goal for the future of the entertainment quality produced for the loyal player base of FFXI. The last handful of "expansions" have been reskinned zones for the most part with the exception of the introduction of a few new monster types and bosses, so the new expansion has the potential to be a new rich social experience similar to Aht Urhgan. Aht Urhgan introduced two new job classes that used traditional weapon types as this new expansion will, but imagine the depth that a new weapon category could bring outside of just new job classes.
It's very much apart of the Devs job to create new and varying content for us to enjoy so I think it would hold some potential if done correctly. By "correctly" I mean not just adding it to be adding it, but truly making it something unique and rewarding for players to pick up and master.The combatant wielding two of these shields would have them firmly in front of their body (similar to a boxer) ever ready to anticipate what the battle will throw at them. If an attack launched at them, they instinctively either move to block the attack or position themselves to parry/counter the attack to gain the offensive advantage. Staying very fluid all the while, they are patient to wait for the perfect opportunity to unleash their quick and painful assault on their enemies using a barrage of close quarters blows. The advantage of the two melee shields presents it's benefits by allowing an assortment of chained combo strikes to the combatant during an offensive maneuver. Rarely would an offensive assault end with one solo strike, but rather at the very least a combination of a strike and bash, two strikes, or even two bash attacks. Even a third or fourth strike would be common given the opportunity. Thus making this style a very fast paced dance of both attack and tactical stringing of melee type blows.If there was a New Job created for this Weapon, here's some attempts on the Artifact Armor Concept Art:
On the defensive side, an enemy would be hard pressed to find an opening readily available to exploit. The very attempt to strike at the shield wielding combatant is a sure chance at provoking an opposing shield to the face in retaliation. Constantly protected at either close range or afar, the combatant can rush to in to tank a rampaging enemy or retreat to protect the softer party members with ease. Using an handful of unique rushing attacks, the combatant can barrel fiercely into the enemy to gain it's attention and hold it with it's array of punishing defensive and offensive maneuvers.
On top of all this variety, the shield wielding combatant has a plethora of damaging and enfeebling weapon skills at their disposal. Multi-hit weapon skills would be at the forefront of these punishing skills while a variety of bashing and rushing skills would follow. The range of these skills would offer a steady and abundant selection of tools to the wielder to properly handle keeping the attention of any enemy.
Here's some of the concept art around the concept of this battle style being derived from a lost civilization.I was thinking along the lines of the ancient warriors being inspired by the prehistoric Adamantoise, leading them to mimic the defensive prowess native to the impenetrable beast. They crafted their helmets to resemble the skull of the beast and designed a fighting style that uses two shields to create (what they considered) a "Surrounding Shield". The war paint was to strike fear into their enemies upon the battlefield. It's one of my 1st concepts, but I'm planning to add some select body jewelry here and there, and complete the lower half of the armor.