Tweaking Combat Mobility and Motion

[Big J Money]

A few things that have always been in discussion here are: lightly armored vs. heavy armored, ability to dodge, back-pedalling and fighting vs. multiple opponents.

I'd like to throw out a simple suggestion that might even be easy to experiment without having to actually implement (in case it turns out to be a disaster).  I think the core combat of the game would be even more fun if swinging a weapon affected your motion.  Example:  Say you are charging at an enemy, ready to attack.  Once you swing your weapon, your movement should gradually slow down during the swing and then, after the swing, you would immediately "recover" from your attack by having full motion again.

How this would help
The purpose of adding this to combat is to make dodging attacks a bit more feasible, which would, in turn, make fighting multiple enemies a little more feasible without having to rely solely on backpedaling.

That's it.  Simple idea.  I think, however, that the timing of the "slowdown" effect is extremely important.  It probably should not kick in until the swing is well underway, or else it might disrupt Elite AI fighters' ability to feint.

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[The Pope]

I'd like to see this tried. It would also improve weapon speed differentiation - a light and quick arming sword would hardly slow you down, but running around swinging sledgehammers wouldn't work. That way the sledgehammer could be balanced without needing it's absurd looking slomo swing animation.

 

[Will Greaves]

I don't like it.  Swinging a sword in real life does not affect your ability to move.

 

[Aratek]

I don't like it.  Swinging a sword in real life does not affect your ability to move.

You ever tried it?  I have. 

The sword tugs on your arms as you swing it.  So you have to move slower in order to maintain balance.
You wouldn't want to topple over if you run really fast while swinging. 

I must say, some swords probably have little effect on your movement.  The larger weapons, like two-handed should definitely affect your movement.

 

[Manitas]

I must say, some swords probably have little effect on your movement.

I think they all do. Even when fighting unarmed, a punch is coordinated with proper step forward, while the other leg stands firmly on the ground, same goes for even lightest melee weapons.
Any blow made when standing still, or running is ****worthy.

The idea is ok.

 

[Will Greaves]

I've never tried running flat out swinging my sword, but it does not affect my ability to move in the manner that the character in the game moves (with level ten athletics and a tunic).  Maybe if the characters in the game were able to sprint at high speeds, then we should talk about limiting speed when swinging.

 

[Merlkir]

I don't like it much. I'd like to try it though if it was implemented.
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[zekefan]

You should make less linear motions for attacking(up,down,left,right).Make a button for changing it and making an attack like
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[Big J Money]

I've never tried running flat out swinging my sword, but it does not affect my ability to move in the manner that the character in the game moves (with level ten athletics and a tunic).  Maybe if the characters in the game were able to sprint at high speeds, then we should talk about limiting speed when swinging.

Um, the character DOES sprint at tops speeds.  He does it all the time.  That's the whole reason I came up with this idea.  It doesn't seem right that you can charge someone at full speed, swing a weapon with all your might and not even lose pace.  Try it some time.  Run straight forward (heck, even jig side to side) and swing your weapon.  You don't even have to compensate; you retain full mobility.  That's why dodging is so hard: attackers cannot lose balance; they can attack without discrimination.

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[Merlkir]

I know what you mean, but it sounds a bit whiny to me. I have little problems dodging. It can be done, you can get the hang of it. It's a game, it can be learnt.
I wouldn't mind implementing your idea. But in a very small extent, it doesn't happen that drastically in real life.

 

[Will Greaves]

Um, the character DOES sprint at tops speeds.  He does it all the time.  That's the whole reason I came up with this idea.  It doesn't seem right that you can charge someone at full speed, swing a weapon with all your might and not even lose pace.

No, he doesn't.  The character in the game, at level ten athletics and without armour, jogs along at a fair pace.  But I can sprint considerably faster in real life for a short time.  And I'm not a very good runner.

 

[Ken Oh]

Um, the character DOES sprint at tops speeds.  He does it all the time.  That's the whole reason I came up with this idea.  It doesn't seem right that you can charge someone at full speed, swing a weapon with all your might and not even lose pace.

No, he doesn't.  The character in the game, at level ten athletics and without armour, jogs along at a fair pace.  But I can sprint considerably faster in real life for a short time.  And I'm not a very good runner.

Yeah, I'm sure we're all aware that running speeds are toned down in the game vs realistism.

For what it's worth, I like Big J Money's idea.