But, but, but, a Tacticool Marines can use both Plasma AND Melta without loosing the ability to cap, and the Chaos Assault is a melee tactical Anyhow, the Space Wolves will likely be able to equip melee weapons as Tacticools, or at least that was said a some point in a livestream, but I am uncertain if they wanted to restrict it to the "Veteran Class". I must admit that I am still a bit afraid that less people will pick the Dire Avenger when the Trampolining Toucan and Howling Banshee arrives, which will force Eldar to play the Dire Avenger if they want to win (a recipe for annoyed players). But this will hopefully change when the Dire Avenger actually become good a Short Ranged engagements, and due to the coming nerfs for Melta Weapons (only against Infantry).
As a side note to all this we had a couple of comments from Brent which indicate that ASCs are being looked at but are presenting significant difficulty in being properly balanced/fitting in to the game/also being fun to play. They ARE working hard at getting it right, so for now we just have to power through the fact that it's less than optimal. I can say that the vision bE has of it matches the general consensus of the community, they're just figuring out a way to get it there.
Which is exactly the problem with bE's development plan(more content, minimal balance work). What they should have done is create base statistical formulas for use across all factions' classes/wargear/vehicles/etc. etc. so they could work out a core balance and provide a fun and engaging feel for their game. For example, using the TT as a guide: SM Move Speeds Forward: 6-ms Strafe: 5-ms Back-Pedal: 4-ms Sprint: 12-ms Eldar Move Speeds Base / Fleet of Foot Forward: 7.5-ms / 9-ms Strafe: 6-ms / 7.2-ms Back-Pedal: 4-ms / 4.8-ms Sprint: 15-ms / 18-ms Bolter TTK vs Dire Avenger: 1.25-seconds, 6 Bolts, 0.25-sec Fire Rate, 30 Bolt Mag Accuracy: 3.4-cm spread at 24-meters Major Damage Drops: 48 and 96-meters D.A. Shuriken Catapult TTK vs SM: 1.242-sec, 24 Shuriken, 0.054-sec FR, 100 Shuriken Core Accuracy: 3.4-cm spread at 18-meters(4.5-cm at 24-meters) Major Damage Drop: 36 and 72-meters The S.Cat is less accurate and has less range than the Bolter but its significant FR and low recoil should give it the advantage in close range, even the two weapons' performance in medium range and give the Bolter the advantage at long range. SM Combat Knife TTK vs D.A.: 1.8-sec, 6 Basic Attacks, 0.3-sec Attack Speed D.A. Combat Knife TTK vs SM: 2.2-sec, 11 BAs, 0.2-sec AS The D.A. needs more attacks/time to Down the SM but their greater mobility allows them to avoid more attacks and higher AS allows them to land more attacks, which should leave melee combat between the two asymmetrically balanced. Typically the Marine should want to fight at long range or in melee, the D.A at medium or close range.
Currently the Dire Avenger doesn't feel like the "Elite of the Elite of the Eldar", who is overspecialized with the sole purpose to excel at Short Ranged Combat/COB. But this is just the first balance pass, so maybe it will get better with the next hotfix. The 0.008 second advantage in time to kill for the ASC would not be noticeable, and recoil is hardly a concern at Short Range, though skilled players would benefit greatly from this idea, as they will be able to keep a steady flow of headshots going (greatly decreasing the TTK). The Dire Avenger would have to be VERY fast to be able to reliably outmanouvre the Space Marine, especially with the current lock-on system, and while the 11 hits would be more lore appropriate, it would also be terrible from a gameplay perspective, as new players would not see the "11 hits with a knife to kill" as being something good (unless they were the immortal Space Marine). Anyhow, this is just my take on it
What is this nonsense? Dire Avenger exarchs can use Power Weapons and Dire Avengers have their own unique melee weapons; Diresword - A Diresword is a specialised Power Weapon wielded by Dire Avenger Exarchs. These weapons incorporate an Eldar Spirit Stone in the hilt that can sear the mind of a target. Shimmershield - A Shimmershield is an advanced force-field produced by an emitter incorporated into Dire Avenger Exarch Armour that protects the Exarch and all members of his squad when they engage in close combat. Also, didn't the devs say anyone could equip Exarch weapons? Or do I remember wrong? I'd certainly play a Dire Avenger much more if I could have a sword. Oh well, we are still in very Alpha. The Armor Ratings need to be fixed too. Scorpions, Dragons and Reapers should be just as well armored as Marines.
We'll be able to equip *some* Exarch weapons on our basic classes. Melee Dire Avenger stuff is not among them, apparently.
Ohh, I forgot to specify that I meant that no non-Exarch Dire Avengers will be allowed to use Primary Melee Weapons, as this have already been stated by the Devs during the Livestream (I asked the question myself) Brent just said that we would be allowed to dual-wield Shuriken Catapults, which should be roughly as efficient at short range
Aww, that is very, very disappointing. I was almost hoping for a chance to have both; A rifle and a sword.
I think the answer to your initial question is yes, but the shuriken catapult really needs a boost. A faster firing rate or more damage/less spread would be worth a try.
