Weaponsmith Archive

Okay, I fully understand this idea is not going to be popular with many of the established weaponsmiths - but I thought it was worth talking about. Please be objective (and kind!)

On my server (Corbantis), there are already beginning to be quite a few weaponsmiths. I am concerned that eventually the profession is going to have a market so competitive that it hardly stays worth the time. Though some would argue that's the way it's supposed to work due to supply and demand, I think we can create some interesting ways to help diversify the skills of weaponsmiths to fine 'niches' in the market.

The idea is a simple one: A weaponsmith with skill in using a particular weapon creates a slightly better version than one who does not.

What does that mean? Well, a weaponsmith who has worked on the Pistoleer tree can create a slightly better pistol than one who has not.

Why does it matter? For many potential purchasers, it probably does not. Until someone begins to really look for that *special* weapon, any weaponsmith will be able to satisfy their needs. Those who are spending time looking for that weapon with a slightly higher dps ratio, though, will undoubtedly want to find their particular specialist.

Suddenly, many niche markets appear. There may only be 1 or 2 weaponsmiths that ever bother to specialize in Pikeman, for example. It adds a little 'coolness' factor to a particular weaponsmith in their specialized community.

I believe it makes sense both from the game mechanics perspective and an RP perspective. In many fantasy books, the best smiths are old war veterans that have retired their sword for the forge. The better you know a weapon, the better you are at knowing how to make it better.

For those of you that want to go Artisan only, keep in mind you will have other abilities (such as advertising) that specialists do not. The vast majority of the market will still be shared between all smiths.

From a mechanics perspective, we may just be talking about a few experimentation points specific to that weapon as you gather those weapon skills. I'd be interested to hear other ideas on how it could be implemented

That's kind of a nifty idea. At novice pistoleer, you could get +5 to pistol experimentation and +5 to pistol assembly. Then at master you could get another +10 to each.

The problem is, they haven't implemented those as specific XP pools. Yet.

-Rev

Good idea, I think you are on to something. I hope SOE or Diabalo sees this and takes it into account. This sounds kinda common sense to me.

I think Ralquin is definitely on to something here. I know who is a good weaponsmith and who is not and I will travel quite a distance to get the good stuff. If the weaponsmiths were able to specialize incertain weaponsthen I would seek them out over anyone else. Awesome idea Ralquin.

I adore this idea.

Novice 2-handed swordsman :
+15 two hand sword assembly
+15 two hand sword experimentation

then for each level of 2 hand sword technique :
+ 5 two hand sword assembly / experimentation

then for master swordsman
+15 two hand sword assembly
+15 two hand sword experimentation

Giving the master swordsman +50 total assembly and experimentation to two handed swords. He can make better two handed swords than anyone else in the game, but - he's dedicated to do nothing else. He'd have to be artisan, brawler, swordsman, weaponsmith.

That's an extremely graceful idea. I wish I had thought of it.

-nox

This is definitely a good idea,

The more niche markets there are in this game, the better.

as the devs for customizable colors and patterns on guns too, i would kill for a camo pattern rifle. *drools*

I'll add to the list of people who think this is a great idea.

WTG....!

I also think this is an excellent idea! As a weaponsmith who has also gone up the Carbine ladder to help me with missions, etc.. I would love to make exceptional carbines!

hmm, This idea shows some merrit. Diablo I hope your paying attention and add this one to the laundry list of problems you bring to developers.

On the downside I doubt if the crafting systems seperates weapons by type. I'm sure assembily of a sword uses the same db fields as assembily of a pistol. Although it should be too hard to impliment it will probably take a long time to test and make sure it works correctly and doesn't break existing functionality. perhaps it could be something they throw into the player city or space release.

I think this idea as it gives an extra bonus to those weaponsmiths who also take the time to learn to use a weapon. I know when I make rifles and 1 handed swords, I know exactly how to tweak them to my tastes as a user of that weapon. It makes sense that a weaponsmith who is sufficiently trained in a weapon may now a few more tricks on how to improve them over someone who never touchs one in other than creation situations.

I think this is a great idea that should be implemented sometime soon.

Three cheers for Ralquin for posting the best idea I've seen on these forums in weeks! This would be uber-excellent. I play a weaponsmith/marksman, and I would have absolutelyno problem not being able to make as fine a sword as a weaponsmith/swordsman. The "realistic" aspect of the field experience carrying over to the forge is very enticing, and I really can't see anyone with respect for the professionhaving a problem with it. After all, I would rather buy a baseball bat signed by Nomar Garciaparra than one signed by Shaquille O'Neal, wouldn't you?

Eggnog

P.S. Though I would prefer an O'Neal bat to a Jeter bat