Shattered Kingdoms

Remove bash completely.

That'd certainly fix Swashbucklers.

What changes can we expect to be made with swashbucklers, and when will they be made?

Are you recruiting help to build new items, areas, etc? I always enjoy that sort of thing.

When can we have a bonanza or Hero's competition?

Are you already burnt out on IMMing? I hope you stick around a long long time.

How do you think we can get larger numbers and foster a more nurturing environment for new players while still maintaining a more engaging environment for the vets?

How can I lose my permanoob PK status without spam dying, spending hours enchanting EQ, collecting armor, etc?

Oops sorry Sargas, I thought this was GD...I'll edit

Jennbo I'll answer your last question. Play a tribunal warlock. Or an MR griffbarb.

Either can die to their heart's content and not be the worse for wear.

Also w/r/t the warlock, they are very useful in PvE trips for the healing.

Man, this is sad. We finally got WW in the giving, friendly mood (the real friendly mood, not the word filter friendly) - and the first, most eager responses are sarcastic. I honestly can't believe you guys.

Are massive weapons better than non-massive fast 2-handed weapons (see: battle spear) for damage, if you don't have access to fury or specialize?

That seems like an odd question. And I'd like to know why you asked it, given the convoluted answer I am about to give.

If you don't have fury or specialize, that means you only have 3rd attack. And the only classes with third attack and access to a reaching massive are Paladin/Hellion. So I'd say yes, massive is probably better. Scout has zero access to reaching massive or polearms at all, so they really have no option except b-spear.

I suppose maybe you're asking for mercs who have other specs? I'd say massive is better for PvP, with high level haste they should still hit 3 attacks or so depending on the weapon, which imo would beat 4 from a bspear/pike (I don't think you can hit 5 without spec/fury?). In PvE, bspear/etc might be better. But that's a toss-up, given the recent "everything can parry!" update.

Really, it was for academics and to try to steer this thread in the right direction.

I wasn't fully intending to mean reaching massive. There are front-row massives such as greatsword that can be utilized as a scout (I used one to level mine), and isn't there a massive axe class that all dwarves can use? I imagine, for the newbie forum, it's a broad-reaching helpful question. It'll help newbies to know what may be good for leveling, and for me, honestly - I haven't fully sold myself on massive reaching weapons yet. I had that pointed out to me. When leveling my scout, I found using a greatsword significantly worse than a bspear for reliable damage (I was nearly always front row) - but there's so many factors going on there I can't really use that as empirical evidence.

I was rather curious if metagamers nowadays value the security of a steady 4 attacks a round (achievable with haste) vs the 1-2 with massive weapons. To me, it seems like risking your entire round's damage to an unlucky dodge/parry save is a bit much...but then again, I'm not in the loop on some things anymore. I also don't know if it's reliable to hit 3 attacks with a massive, hasted. Things like this are just known with experience and testing - neither of which I have on the matter.

Honestly, to my knowledge, nobody's really used any of the what used to be semi-decent 2-h front row weapons since massive got implemented. I haven't seen a hunting spear or pitchfork used by a PC in ages.

The massive bonus is pretty great. And it's not like it's rare for you to block all of someone's attacks in a round, even if they do get 6.

I honestly do not have the most experience with melee, before or after the implementation of massive. I'm personally surprised we haven't seen more of the 1-h massives getting used. Massive bonus, and still get the bonuses of a shield? Battle-axe and bastard sword. (I suppose there's only one 1-h bastard sword, but still.)

As far as haste + massive, I don't have much experience with haste from a GM sorc, but with haste from the highest level consumable I am aware of, no 3 hits with a halberd isn't guaranteed. I think some of the other massives are faster though?

Pretty sure you'd hit 3 with the front row massive weapons, anyways.

I have a glaive specced merc and with GM haste it's a pretty solid 4 attacks. Front row, I doubt it'd be the same since polearms seems to take a speed hit when the character is being targetted by melee.

i used to play Iori in Kings of Fighters and he would say

dosh-da! and shinu! and later on i learned Japanese

it turned out to be what's the matter! and DIE!

and then i realized that must be why he died a lot in SK ^.^