2-handed Weapon Grips

[Kailok]

Yes, it's an idea from FFXI, but it was a well-done idea so I thought it might be able to flesh out in this game as well.

Essentially what Grips do (if you never played XI) is they fill up that un-filled secondary slot to give a small bonus of stats. These grips could slightly increase accuracy, or give you a bit of STR, or even Magic Accuracy for DoM 2-handed weapons. This helps to make 2-hand melee classes more effective and diverse without giving so much of a boost, and also makes 2-handed magic weapons more attractive to DoM players who typically would use a shield instead.

I know some of you are probably saying: "But what about Pugilist?!" - Well, as you know, in this game the Pugilist weapons only take up that single slot as well, so they could use them too (I believe Monks in FFXI couldn't use Grips). What Pugilists could do is get Haste stat (Whenever they add that as a stat) grips to increase their flurry of attacks.

Or as far as future dual-wielding classes go, people might ask "well, what about Thief's?" Well, the answer is simple. Since they get to equip another weapon, they're getting those extra stats. Grips help to make things fair as far as extra stat boosts go.

So:
LNC and MRD would equip "STR+ACC" grips (PUG could too if they wished)
PUG would equip "Haste+%" grips
THM and CON could, if they chose to use two-handed instead of a shield, equip "Magic Acc/Crit+%" grips.

Or other types of stats for more variety!

These would give slightly better bonuses to each, while also not being so much that they would break the game and create imbalance between the classes.

They could be crafted and then turned into materia too, and added to higher level grips in the future. It would help add another piece to the economy.

I'll say it again, this is just an idea, so please just try to contribute, stay cilivized, and please don't start flame wars. I know this isn't FFXI, but I think grips were a cool idea that could help 2-handed classes/weapons become more useful.

[RegaDosei]

I speak only from my experience with XI prior to the implementation of this feature. So I don't know how this effected any balancing if any. Algorithms become difficult with these types of changes. I could only imagine it becoming more difficult when being used with the materia system.

But overall, variety and customization is always fun

[Kailok]

Well I just remember that it was a nice addition since dual-wielding classes always got to have those extra stats but 2hand jobs didn't have that. ^^ It wouldn't bring all of the happiness of balance, certainly not, but it would help get just a little if you need just that extra bit of acc.

[Rokien]

Ya, I would like to see this happen, OR make it where we do have a secondary weapon aka sentinel. I wouldn't know what they could do, but I would like to see more of those secondary weapons that have their own levels and skills.

[RegaDosei]

Hopefully we'll begin to see more items like these popping up after all the stat reform.

[Estellios]

There's no dual wielding in this game, though. I would rather prefer that they balance the game from the start so that 2-handers aren't outclassed and make the stat bonuses comparable to using 2 weapons, since that was the reason they added grips.

[OMEGA_HACK]

Honestly would rather have tassels (visible on the weapons); think Kingdom Hearts like. Anything to add more color to the weapons would be a nice addition in my opinion (since most of the weapons are black/brown/white/gray without much color), and being someone who originally suggested the idea of tassels (which SE turned into grips) I definitely approve of this thread

[FilthyDisco]

Would love to see something like this implemented.

[Corrderio]

I wouldn't mind something like to balance out GLA/CON/THM being able to add materia to a slot 2 handers have no access to.

[Estellios]

I wouldn't mind something like to balance out GLA/CON/THM being able to add materia to a slot 2 handers have no access to.

Ohh, forgot about that. I didn't realize you could attach materia to shields but I went and checked and you're correct.

Hopefully there's a balance somewhere, since I like using staves on my mages instead of wands.