Re-thinking melee weapons for the standalone.

[colekern 1364]

Note: I did use the search function. I saw all of the threads that are already on this topic. But no one has really gone this in-depth (or at least used grammar) when making this suggestion.

The melee system right now sucks. Badly. I know that melee weapons are essentially heavily modified pistols, and it suprises me they've even gotten this far on a re-skinned pistol.

The melee system could be very interesting and intense in standalone. However, many changes need to be made. Here's some possible suggestion:

1. Animations that matter.

Animations shouldn't just be there for looks. Zombies should react realistically to the way you hit them. If I come in with a baseball bat to the legs from the side, it probably wouldn't kill you. There's not a doubt in my mind that if you were kinda crazy and clumsy(they are infected you know), you'd fall over. Also, more on the falling over thing...

2. Make it easier to hit with a melee weapon.

I suggest adding a 'box' or radius on the screen that goes under a close enough philosophy. As long as the zombie we're swinging at is in the box or radius, we score a hit. It should shrink the more injured you are.

3. Most melee weapons shouldn't insta-kill infected. It should disable them temporarily instead.

Hitting you with a bat wouldn't kill you. It would definitely hurt and make you fall over because your brain is sloshing around like jello, but it wouldn't kill you. So, hitting a zombie should make him fall over or trip up and turn around, leaving you time to escape or deliver another blow.

4. Direction-of-impact based damage.

I'm gonna use the hatchet for an example. If I was in plain sight of an infected person, and in front of him, and I swing my hatchet, he could block it with his arm and survive (in the most painful way possible. Good thing he doesn't feel pain). If I attack from behind, there are no defenses.

5. Stealth moves should be restricted to knives.

Knives are fairly silent. But a hatchet isn't. With a knife, you can go for the heart, but with a hatchet, the ribs are in the way. I doubt cutting through ribs would be easy or silent.

6. A separate weapon slot for melee.

We all want it. Well, everyone except the guy who suggests DayZ shouldn't be changed in ANY way whatsoever.

7. Give them more of a use than just whacking stuff.

It's 3 o'clock, and I can't think of anyhting right now... I ahd some ideas, but... zzzzzzz

I'll post more ideas later guys. Tell me what you think. And forum admins, feel free to take this down if you see this as spam or something.

Edited September 22, 2012 by colekern

[DMC14 46]

a baseball bat to the head could kill you.

and what if i snuck up behind you and struck you with said hatchet/axe in the back of the neck. i reckon that would be fairly sneaky.

Please this is just friendly criticism.

Edited September 22, 2012 by DMC14

[Riem 164]

A knife to the heart is a horribly inefficient way to kill someone. They aren't going to just drop over and die immediately, though it is fatal, and would have the chance to turn and shoot you, whack you with their own weapon, etc.

[Radzaarty 30]

I'm thinking for zombies at least the knife animation should be to the head, as only destroying the brain is the way to kill zombies in the general zombie mythos. Perhaps with people it could be Battlefield 3 style, just to name one where you slit/stab the throat. But yes, I defiantly agree with knives being the silent kill weapon.

Also with Melee weapons such as axes and crowbars and possibly swords if they are added, there should be some way to block and opposing melee attack, for reduced damage or suchlike. This would make melee battles more intense, as a split second decision to attack or block could mean the life or death of you and your opponent.

[enforcer1975 1111]

1. Animations that matter.

Yes the animations suck, i hope they can develop it that you can move and do a melee attack at the same time, at the moment it's stand and attack - target gets away. At least you can reload while moving which was a big improvement from OFP to ArmA 1.

2. Make it easier to hit with a melee weapon.

That really irritated me, a swining axe sure has a greater area of possible impact due to the large area you swing it.

3. Most melee weapons shouldn't insta-kill infected. It should disable them temporarily instead.

Let's meet and i hit you with a bat, this thing has greater stopping power than a bullet that hits a non important part of a human body. You will definitely lose your interest in attacking further.

Same with the axe...broken bones at the least...open wounds worst.

4. Direction-of-impact based damage.

Due to engine restrictions it's not posible to parry ( yet ). Zeds don't have a survival instinct so they don't need to parry.

5. Stealth moves should be restricted to knives.

H.O.L.L.Y.W.O.O.D

6. A separate weapon slot for melee.

I want it, too.

7. Give them more of a use than just whacking stuff.

... many wants...too

Edited September 22, 2012 by Enforcer

[bfisher 561]

I'd be happy just being able to rotate through my weapons to get to my ax. Instead of putting down my rifle and then watching it disappear.

[Gordon Axeman 191]

They are infected, not undead. So cutting their throat may work.

[DMC14 46]

They are infected, not undead. So cutting their throat may work.

Just cut the entire head off (with a machete)

[enforcer1975 1111]

Just cut the entire head off (with a machete)

Why even get so close? Bullets first, blades last :D

[bazbake 456]

A knife to the heart is a horribly inefficient way to kill someone. They aren't going to just drop over and die immediately, though it is fatal, and would have the chance to turn and shoot you, whack you with their own weapon, etc.

Contrary to popular belief, there aren't many weapons that will kill you instantly. See: The Miami Incident. A knife to the heart is at least a knife to the heart.

[riesenkartoffel@gmail.com 7]

I want to be able to do powerful attack with melee weapon straight from spriting. Something like holding an axe over your head and sprintin towards that other player, who is desperately trying to shoot you with his makarov, while shouting BANZAAAAII! Over Direct chat.

[Radzaarty 30]

AXE MURDER!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah but anyway I hope a few of these features do end up in the standalone, that would be epic.

On the special melee animations, well now days they are a greater part of games, Epic take-downs, such as in Skyrim, Battlefield 3 and Crysis 2 to name a few.

[starwarsfan@gmx.de 450]

No stealth kills please, they're the worst stuff I've ever seen in a video game. This isn't Metal Gear, it works there but not in anyother game that tries to be remotely realistic. If anything you should be able to use people as human shield, I could see that happening but stealth kills? No.

[DMC14 46]

Contrary to popular belief, there aren't many weapons that will kill you instantly. See: The Miami Incident. A knife to the heart is at least a knife to the heart.

You are right (and i did read the link very interesting) but people are killed at the pub (or where ever this is my example) in fist fights all the time i.e. a fella got into a fight in my hometown the other bloke punched the fella once not even a good punch but the fella fell back and put his head through a plate glass window and bled out right there. or out in the street fall and crack your head on the cement you might die but you might be a vegetable and then the zombies will eat you while you lie there.

My point is it aint that hard to die if you get an unlucky bounce. the human body is pretty soft.

[birdman 108]

Cat foot bicycle kick, Liu Kang style.

Edited October 9, 2012 by thebirdolux