Hybrid Dexterity/Intelligence Class Weapon: Whip

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Chris wrote:

There is one remaining hybrid character class that has not been announced (Dexterity/Intelligence). It is mostly complete, pending some additional animations and several skills. It will be enabled before Open Beta - we're just trying to get traps working first ;)

As Quoted from Chris on the Beta Manifesto for the Hybrid Dexterity/Intelligence Class. I would like to suggest a New weapon to go along with this, as I believe it will go along perfectly with a Dexterity/Intelligence based skill grid.

Since the dawn of RPGs and MMORPGs there has always been a forum or topic pertaining to Whips (and usually accompanied by boomerangs, but we'll leave that for another discussion.) All of these voiced opinions have usually fallen on deaf ears.


u·nique
   /yuˈnik/ [yoo-neek] adjective
Utilizing the 5th definition.
not typical; unusual.

Speaking in terms of the MMORPG Realm, Whips have been practically non existent. Opening the dynamics of the Whip to the MMORPG Realm (Especially the Free Aspect) will peak interest for those that usually stick with the RPG (Castlevania, or the complete fail attempt in Star Ocean) Style genre.

Whips could bring Diversity to this MMORPG. I have been an Avid Free MMORPG Player for many years, and have yet to come across the aspect of the Whip in any of them.



I would like to break the Skill Suggestions down into a couple different categories, and within those categories discuss Ideas based on attack speed, range, damage of each skill idea (this is where you come in!).

*This section will be updated through suggestions and ideas given as a comment(I will try to keep this up to date as often as possible)*

AOE

-Whips can be spun in a circle around the Character as well as spun much like a fan in front or on the sides of the Character.

Ranged

-Whips can be used as a ranged weapon with a varying length or stopping point.

Melee

-The handle of the whip could be used as a blunt hitting form of weapon within melee range much like a claw or a dagger.

-As suggested a shorter melee version of the whip could be utilized
METEOR HAMMER.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Meteor_hammer
*The meteor hammer (Chinese: 流星錘; pinyin: liúxīng chuí), often referred to simply as meteor, is an ancient Chinese weapon, consisting at its most basic level of two weights connected by a rope or chain.

Groups

-Whip based skills in groups could come in handy for a specific Pulling skill type. Grabbing nearby units and pulling them all into a specific location for the group to AOE.

Elements

Adding the aspect of Elemental/Chaos Damage to the Whip as well as different styles and lengths of whip depending on Chain/Rope/Leather (varying levels of Whip could be made of different materials, and vary in length.) would add an amazing appeal to pull fellow MMORPGer's toward the Path of Exile direction.

PS: I did search the forums for a post pertaining to whips, it was post early 2011, and the content was silly and not really on a serious tone in my opinion. I'd like to Revive the topic with a more serious tone.

Yes! Whips would give this game a WHOLE NEW level of detail, something to push it out even more and to a more diverse range of characters and classes, sub skills and unique moves. Also, nothing else has really implemented something this awesome! WHIPS are a must in PoE!!



This of the possibilities!

great idea, but I would prefer a kiwi twist on things and have poi instead of whips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq0W0ZV-6N4&feature=related

^^ ignore the cheesy emo music and watch his flow

Ehh.... its been done, witch doctor is D3 comes to mind as soon as i saw the video.

Oh wow, that video! What he's using isn't a staff is it? Those are flaming short chains or something? Now to see that on a large flaming whip scale wrecking mass amounts of mobs! xD That would be SO much fun! :D

I found out that the weapon he is using is called the Meteor Hammer. I added that to the Melee section! Great suggestion. :D

in the video he does a mixture of poi, staff and twin short staff.

the poi he is using look like this and are soaked in kerosene.


although a few cultures have something similar eg the meteor hammer (which is similar but uses a single chain and 2 balls rather than 2 separate chains)

our version is the poi and its based on this:


for more info:
http://www.themaori.com/maori-art/poi

Yeah. I researched it.. Poi is the performing art style utilizing several different items to make the art. But the actual name for those with the weighted ends are called Meteor Hammers. =] I added a wiki link to the item in the OP. =]

Now back to the topic of WHIPS!! :D

There would also be no fear of running into something like this. xD

This game does need of a weapon like the Whip that could be used for short and long range effectively, but even more so for more than 180 to 360 degree attacking and/or with skill gems. I have already found that the Ranger class has a arrows AoE spell that is good but cannot fix this situation same goes for Witch which is lacking a skill or passive ability that would buff a spell to this ability. I just fill like this weapon/skill gem type is missing in this game.

I think the Intel/Dex class be ideal for this kind of weapon. In the right situation with the right skill gem and the right mana req which should be higher than most skills this weapon and gem skill(s) could be a balanced fit.

I know this may get harsh feedback like: Hey you shouldn't get yourself in that situation with enemies all around you! The realization is that if some weapon and/or gem/ability was included like this the devs could make the game even harder and possibly more fun. :-)

whips sounds really great :)

U have my Vote.

I like the idea behind what Lehos mentioned above, about having a weapon/skill that would have the ability to attack around you in a 360 degree range.

I also think the idea of 360 degree attacking range would make for a great boss battle, where summons are called like skeletons or zombies to keep the boss on a single target attack. implementing some kind of whip style boss with the ability to attack in 360 degrees would allow for a harder boss battle experience for summons that are called specifically for decoys. It would also especially bring a new aspect to fighting 1 on 1, where the whip could be used with a form of skill that could grab the target and bring it closer. (Get over here!!; Scorpion style in MK!)