I came across this Reddit post describing ideas for additional class specialisations. One was for a ranged paladin, and I thought it was particularly interesting.
Normally ranged paladin variants play up the idea of paladin as holy spellcaster, the "shockadin". In the past we've even had spells like Denounce which allowed Holy paladins to try this playstyle. And it worked reasonably well for questing, but was never raid-viable. In Legion, Blizzard moved Holy paladin dps back to a melee-style, which I've found quite fun for questing. (Still not raid-viable, though.)
In any case, this ranged paladin variant isn't a spellcaster, but instead uses a two-handed crossbow. It fuses elements of a "witchfinder", inquisitor, or Van Helsing-style vampire hunter into the paladin. Having the paladin focus on a weapon reinforces the martial aspect, and witchfinders reinforce the religious overtones of the class.
Though crossbows would be the signature weapon, I imagine these paladins could also use bows and guns. It would also be nice for ranged weapons to be used by a class other than hunters. Though Blizzard would have to add Strength to ranged weapons.
A witchfinder might be an interesting idea for a new non-caster ranged class well, maybe wearing leather instead of plate. However, I wonder what specialisation options it would have. A paladin variant would be simpler.
All in all, this was a neat paladin variant, and one I'd love to see in-game.
Only if they finally introduce dual-pistols. Zero interest in a crossbowadin, but I'd give up my 2Hander to dual-wield some blazing justice from afar, Grammaton Cleric style. Something like the Magelock pistols that the Arcane Gun Mages from the Warmachine game use, except obviously Holy instead of Arcane
ReplyDeleteThat would be pretty cool, but I don't think there are 1H ranged weapons (other than wands) in WoW. They'd have to introduce those and allow hunters to use them as well.
DeleteAlso you'd have to figure out if you could use a pistol and a sword simultaneously and how that would work.
Al'ar drops the Arcanite Steam-Pistol (it is treated as a gun for mechanics purposes), so the possibility of 1h ranged weapons exists. I know some hunters have wished they could dual-wield pistols since then.
DeleteThe Outlaw rogue spec uses swords and has one ability with a pistol firing animation. There's no actual pistol equipped, but sword & pistol is a part of that class fantasy.
Despite it's size and name, The Arcanite Steam-Pistol is still a 2H gun. For example, you cannot equip an off-hand weapon with it.
DeleteI'm not really concerned about class fantasy, just more the mechanics. Normally with dual weapons, both weapons attack. But if you're pistol/sword, you can't attack with the sword at range. Is it just a stat stick? Can you attack with it if you run into melee range?
It's not like these are impossible problems to solve, but I think 1H ranged weapons have a lot of hidden complexity.
Like when hunters had a dead zone forcing them to switch from a ranged weapon to a melee one? :) It adds complexity, true, but the basic system has been in the game, albeit in an awkward manner.
DeleteI could see that, being loosely based on the mercenaries that military religious orders --such as the Templars and Teutonic Knights-- would hire for ranged support. Simply foregoing the "mercenary" part and adding "Ranged Paladins" to the possibilities would be quite interesting. As a balance, having those Ranged Paladins give up some items, such as heavy armor in lieu of chain or leather, would be a decent tradeoff.
ReplyDeleteI don't think changing armor type for a specialisation will fly. After all, Blizzard went to great effort to unite intellect and strength plate so you could use the same armor for both Holy and Ret/Prot.
DeleteAlso, it doesn't really make a lot of difference for ranged as most damage you take is magical. It's about the same as Holy paladins compared to the other healers.
Except that a ranged Paladin would be like a combination of a Ranger's ranged capability --with a Mage's magic thrown into the mix-- but with a Paladin's armor. That's kind of a recipe for being OP unless they nerf something.
DeleteI think you're overvaluing armor. Armor is primarily useful against melee attacks from a mob which is targeting you, and generally ranged doesn't get those. If you compare paladin vs shaman healers, the difference in survivability is negligible.
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