TA Swords/Axes should have defensive bonus (& Other)

[slayernz]

I woz thinking (as my captain hurtled down the corridor swinging his sword madly at the oncoming rush that is the Xeno Hoard ... exactly what advantages does a Sword (or Axe) have over another primary weapon? So I listed out some advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:
* Unlimited Ammo.
* Better melee damage bonuses vis a vis other melee weapons.

Disadvantages:
* Crappy range - 1 square. Not even diagonals.
* Still same AP usage per turn (not counting Beserker bonuses).
* With only two hits on phase 2 of a turn, you can only hit 1 of the 3 Xeno's that are about to slash at you.
* A Fist weapon can do almost as much damage, but still allows you to carry a decent ranged weapon.


The disadvantages of having a primary sword/axe definitely outweighs the benefits. So much so that my captain pretty quickly purchases a 4-square ranged weapon and a Storm Fist to even up the odds of combat. This made me think. What would it take for me to take back the sword? Be at one with the blade? Slice and dice Ginzu style?

This is my wishlist for the Captain's sword in rough priority order

1) The sword needs to provide defensive bonuses.
Unlike guns, swords should allow you to parry Xeno melee attacks. It should NOT provide ranged attack defense because, let's face it, we aren't playing in a Star Wars universe There should be the equivalent value for "Plating" bonus that helps protect against Xeno attacks. The bigger/better the weapon, the better the bonus ... OR, if the sword/axe is equipped, then a certain percentage of Captain Melee (Strength + Warrior) should be translated into defensive bonus (which is traditionally calculated as Strength + Evasion). Maybe IF you have the Sword/Axe equipped, you get your defense score calculated as
Strength + Evasion + (Warrior/2)
This would also encourage the captain to add more into the Warrior skill

2) The Sword should be carry-able on the off-hand. OR, allow big guns to be carried in the off-hand.
I mean, when you are shooting with your pistol, you're generally not holding the sword in your hand, but rather, it is in its scabbard. In that case, why can't you carry a larger weapon? (As an aside, it would be cool for normal squad members to be able to carry two large weapons as well, but that's a different wish list .

3) The Sword should be able to attack on the diagonal!
Yes, you still have 1 square range, but c'mon, Xenos who are at your diagonal can't be hit? I'm not talking about 2 square range or anything like that - just let the captain be able to kill more than one thing with his sword/axe per phase

4) The Sword should only use 0.5AP.
Why - first up, with the minimum range, you have to either go up to the Xeno or wait for them to advance to you, so you should be able to swing that blade of yours a few more times per AP. This would also mean that in phase 2, when you're left with only 2AP, you should be able to strike 4 times with your sword, Or even more realistically, step forward 1 square AND strike 2 times with your sword. There have been numerous times where the Xeno has stopped 2 squares away, so you know you either have to advance 1 square to melee his ass (only 1 shot chance to kill), OR you have to use some of your precious secondary ammo to kill the thing with 2 shots. Give the sword more hits per AP, and you got yourself a better compromise



The sword is a very cool aspect of the Captain - but with the disadvantages that the blade brings with it, it's a struggle to choose it over a decent primary weapon + fist. Make the changes above - even the first 3) and you'll have more samurai Templars than you can shake a stick at!

[Lt. Hathaway]

Not sure about 4 (two sword strikes in the time it takes to pull a trigger, meh,) but I really like 1, 2a, and 3. Especially 3.

[slayernz]

That's why the order is in the way it is ... ... also I didn't think I had a 2a unless you mean being able to carry two large weapons?

[rsgong]

Think he meant using it in your off hand.

[rsgong]

I really think 1 and 3 should get the most consideration and are the most intuitive. I do get a bit irked when I have one in front and one diagonal. Cut down the one in front, them pull the pistol for the diagonal one.   

[Lt. Hathaway]

2a: Off-hand sword use. I heartily approve.

2b: Scouts dual- wielding Neptunes. I'll wait and approve when it gets its own post.

[slayernz]

Ooo ... a Neptune specialist with the ability to wield a Hydra in his off-hand ... but ... must ... stay ... on ... topic ...

[johndramey]

I can kind of see where you are coming from, but I got to admit that I've never, ever felt that my captain was operating from a disadvantage. I didn't even know you could equip him with a rifle class weapon until today (thanks for that) and have always run them with swords. My captain typically gets more kills than anyone else on my team and has the most survivability. I use him as a front liner all mission, every mission.

Would it be nice to hit diagonals? Yup! Do I think the captains need some kind of buff? Not really.

[slayernz]

Oh johndramey ... you just wait until you do a few runs with your captain holding a large caliber weapon and a decent fist. you'll wonder why you ever wanted to carry a sharp pointy object again.

[johndramey]

I don't think I'll give into that. I always loved the image of my Captain wading into the fray, slicing through xenos and blasting the farther ones with his pistol. In my minds eye he never holsters or sheathes either weapon, he just walks around John-wooing xenos all mission.

[Lt. Hathaway]

It's super rare for me to let xenos into melee range, and slayernz does a great job of exploring why. I often feel subtly guilty for playing the game differently than intended. I'm all for changes that make the Trese tactics competitive.

Nasty example? The running game ends the day fast Xeno can pass slow ones and the ai learns it's better to get closer on a non-optimal path than optimize and not move at all.

[johndramey]

I feel like I'm the only one who is masochistic enough to play the melee game. I see a slow xeno coming at me? Well that's the time when Captain Russo charges in and slices that bastard to shreds.

I even charged the xeno queen and defeated her in honorable, xeno-a-4 man pile up melee action. Stupid queen couldn't handle a captain's sword and 3 thunder fists beating the stuffing out of her.

[Lt. Hathaway]

I'm on record for preserving slow xenos. There's a real sense of power moving down a hall at 4/turn, laughing at a giant column behind you. If the game had breeding genetics, all xeno in my games would be blue and puny.

[slayernz]

Hahaha ... I agree, watching a Xeno conga is one of the more satisfying elements of the job. I think the Xeno's have weight issues.

[Lt. Hathaway]

And then you start the tutorial with slow troopers and no Neptune, and remember the game is hard after all, lol.