Cursed and Axes

[Obsidian]

Since Darkgod went and combined the weapon specialties into one, freeing up the ability to use the random loot, why can't he de-couple the reliance on Axes from the Cursed?

Cursed really relies upon his weapons, and having to scum for an axe takes over 2/3rds of the weapons out of the equation. I understand from a thematic standpoint, but a insane, near-suicidal maniac wouldn't be picky as to what he picks up to bash people upside the head. There's a serious dearth of artifact axes too as far as I've yet seen, let alone good ones, and Randarts are so random as to be difficult to rely upon.

[Zonk]

I definitely agree and have suggested this in the past - I think allowing them to use any two handed weapon would still be fairly thematic.
An insane maniac needs a BIG weapon, it doesn't matter if it's an axe, sword, or a tree trunk

[kingvictory2003]

I can see where you're coming from, Obsidian, and I can agree that conceptually they shouldn't have to rely on axes. There were similar threads before commenting on the high inherent power of the class, and that limiting weapon choices was one way to balance the class, albeit imperfectly.

Having just finished a Cursed character, I can say that there actually wasn't a problem with finding high-power axes. Not to be too spoily, there is a certain dungeon with TONS of high-quality axe wielders, and getting double ego axes is a relatively common occurence.

There certainly are a lack of endgame power artifact axes out there, but so far the trend has been for artifacts (with some exceptions) to be on par with or even a bit weaker than the best ego weapons. Certainly, none of the axe artifacts could compete with the axe I used to axe the wizards: an elemental voratun battleaxe of massacre. I don't know if double greater egos are possible, but the ultimate would perhaps be an elemental voratun battleaxe of rage or corruption. I'm never opposed to extremely rare but powerful artifacts, so hopefully some can get implemented. I might even post one myself, but so far my artifact suggestions (some of which I felt were quite good) haven't gotten implemented

[greycat]

I think allowing them to use any two handed weapon would still be fairly thematic.

Yuck. I'd rather keep it as is, so I have the shield option.

[Sirrocco]

Concur on the leaving as is. Cursed are a little wonky in a number of ways, and that's not a bad thing. Besides - it's not as if you *can't* use other weapons. You just lose a bunch of your active skills if you do.

[Zonk]

Why not fix the 'wonky' (I assume you mean overpowered)aspects instead of 'balancing' them with this kind of limitation which feels out of place as we have a single weapon talent for all types now?

I don't think adding more powerful/artifact axes would be a valid fix.

I see no justification for the axe limitation other than the place/situation you unlock it...and that's stretching i.


As for the 'you can use a shield right now', greycat : I also suggested (not on the forum though, I think) that you should be able to wield non-knife weapons in two hands, just for purposes of talents.
Thus the restriction basically becomes 'no shield' which I feel fits the class more, as with Zerkers.

[Sirrocco]

"Wonky" does not mean overpowered. It means odd, curious, or strangely shaped. In particular, to play as a Cursed is to be constantly moving. At any given instant while in the dungeon, you want to be killing things, looting corpses (briefly), or moving as fast as you can to the next things to kill. The tempo of the game as a Cursed is far different from that as any other sort of character. You're the only melee character who has no stunning powers (though people do spontaneously become stunned around you, which is nice). The Cursed is at his happiest when nearly surrounded by the enemy. These things are not normal. I'm not saying that we should keep the axe thing as some sort of odd, failed attempt to balance the class - it does little or nothing for balance. I'm saying that we should keep the axe because it adds flavor to the class - and the Cursed are a class that's all about flavor.