Throwing got a little boost!

[Variaz]

While finishing the new ranged system, I also recoded the throwing code. I have changed it's damages calculation formula....for the better. Well, it actually uses the same formula, with some tweaks:

- Throwing is now considered a specialized skill, which means it takes 150% of the skill as the value for calculating damages.
- Throwing damages were based on Strength, not Dexterity, but now they're based on both. But not on the average of both, but on the sum of both, so it's better that way!
- Thrown items other than potions will never break.
- No more penalities for throwing ammos with your hands. If you actually want to use arrows as darts, be my guest!

I don't really plan on making a throwing-specialized class for the moment, but I felt like the skill should be improved. The above changes, combined with the +50% damages bonus you get when the skill reaches 25, should make the skill a bit more interesting. The 40 points feat, Quick Throw, will be changed to Double Throw, and won't use half a move, but will instead throw twice during the same move(allowing you to throw in two different directions!). And Shattering Throw has not changed, it still reduces the enemy's defense by 50%, and the only requirement is to hit the enemy. You hit, it works!

One thing I'd like to mention about the new code is that boomerangs will no longer be equippable as weapons, due to the way the new system works. They will, however, get the RETURNING flag, and magic boomerangs will still exist, but they will only get stuff like brands, to_h, to_d and some might have defense/hitrate as well.

[junyortrakr]

I was thinking of working on a character that had a good proficiency in throwing, and I found a few things that seemed to be a little inconsistent or difficult to use.

Boomerang.

--They can be wielded in either main weapon slot, but can't be thrown or fired from there.
--When wielded as a weapon, they are just a weak melee weapon. I doubt this was intended.
--They have no 'damages type', so they always do physical damage, unlike other weapons.
--Because they can't be wielded if they are to be thrown, they cannot level.

A couple thoughts for changes.
--Allow them to be wielded in the quiver slot. From there, they could be thrown like they are intended while being allowed to level.
--Add 'damages type' like other weapons.
--I haven't been able to check this, but allow items that increase number of ranged attacks to increase the number of throws, too.

Shields.

Shields can be used as weapons with a couple of the defender abilities. As such, I noted 2 limitations that could be looked at.

--Like boomerangs, they have no damage type.
--Except for an artifact one or two, they cannot have a brand added to them.

I would just think of adjusting those two limitations to be like weapons.

Neither of these is particularly critical, but I thought someone might comment on them.

[Gando]

I utterly and completely ignore throwing as it is now so any change to improve it would be welcomed I think.

[Variaz]

I like the quiver suggestion. Being able to use throwing weapons from the quiver slot would easily make them comboable with melee weapons, and maybe finally give Throwing a reason to be!

Damages type is actually there. It just doesn't display because, well, I forgot.

[Variaz]

So I've implemented the change for boomerangs, or rather Throwing Weapons, as I renamed the weapon type. Changes done:

- You may now equip throwing weapons in the ammo slot. If you do that, you can quickly fire them using 'f' instead of 'v'. Also, damages will show up in the character screen. Damages Type will also show up(although the ice boomerangs did do Ice damages properly, it just didn't show up).
- Magic Throwing Weapons are now on par with other items, with complete set of bonus, damages enhancements, etc... And Ice Boomerangs now have their proper activation.
- They now benefits from extra shots. The 2nd Throwing feat has been modified to provide 1 extra shot if you don't have any ranged weapons equipped.

I also added Chakrams as throwing weapons. They are stronger than boomerangs, but they are rarer.

[junyortrakr]

I had another thought for a minor adjustment to throwing I thought I'd see if there were any comments on. Since 'shooting' is a general skill, would it be possible to add the skill levels to throwing damage at a 1X multiple like it is to bows, etc.? I would expect that the special bonuses wouldn't apply, but the general damage multiplier could be handy.

[Variaz]

May 23, 2009 15:23:48 GMT -5 junyortrakr said:

I had another thought for a minor adjustment to throwing I thought I'd see if there were any comments on. Since 'shooting' is a general skill, would it be possible to add the skill levels to throwing damage at a 1X multiple like it is to bows, etc.? I would expect that the special bonuses wouldn't apply, but the general damage multiplier could be handy.

Done.