How bout this...

[Synpox]

Okay. I like this idea. I hope its considered.

As most people should know by now, I loathe the glowy vfx on every other weapon. This isn't another attempt at getting them removed, but it is another attempt at an option for people that hate fire swords.

Okay... instead of elemental damage, could physical damage rods be added? Same deal for the elemental rods... a physical rod I would add 2 extra bludgeoning damage to a club for instance. A rod II would add an extra 1d4 bludgeoning. They can be made so they don't stack with elemental damage rods, and if still considered too powerful, make em so they don't even stack with silver or titanium rods. I would still use them, just to get rid of the glow..

You could make them generic damage rods instead of specific damage. That way, rapiers couldnt have bludgeoning damage, which Talan and I think is dumb.

Is this something that could be done? I'm willing to help make it happen in whatever way I can.

If this isn't something you, the game balancing gurus, think is a good idea.. how about just an option to remove the vfx?

Thanks for reading.
-Pox

[Talan Va'lash]

Enhancements like this would have different balancing implications (just stating this cause pox and I chatted about his idea a bit already.)  But, due to the number of things that have physical resistance and things that have elemental resistance, I dont think this would end up being more powerfull overall.  Its possible that there are MORE things with physical resistances/immunities than with elemental.

Enhancements like this won't stack with elemental ones because they're the same property a "damage bonus."  They would still stack with silver/titanium because those are "damage bonus vs. racial type."

The only thing I'm not positive how it would be done is how to make them conform to the damage type of the weapon.  I suppose the unique power could be written to grab the damage type from the base item its being applied to, and a series of if statements that set whether the property added is bludgeoning, slashing, or piercing dependant on the value returned from checking the damage type of the base weapon.

-TV

Edit:  I'm thinking this is a really good idea, especially since I'm thinking about spellswords now in light of the recent spellsword discussion.  There are a lot of cool looking weapon models that we have now, that get pretty much completely obscured by the vfx.  If I was going to play a spellsword, I'd want my sword to only glow when using the imbue ability, otherwise it loses some of its cool factor, I mean, it doesn't seem to be doing much if your swords already glowing and you just make it glow a different color.  It would make it seem more special, which it should be.

[Vyris]

I like this idea, especially for someone like my 1/2 ogre Gork, who's far too dumb to fully appreciate magic, where it comes from, what it does, etc. Still lets me enhance my weapon, and not have a flaming greatsword resting on my bare shoulder.


Vyris

[aragwen]

I like the idea as well, it gives a broader choice of damage that one could elect to add to any weapon.
  Just one stupid comment, if I am not mistaken the "glowy vfx" is not automatically added to a weapon when an enchantment is added. You actually have to add the visual seperately.
  So one could add fire damage enchantment without the weapon looking like a fire weapon.
  Aragwen

[Synpox]

Not with the higher end elemental enhancements. If you add an elemental enhancement type III or IV it automatically adds the vfx. There's no in game way to get rid of it.

[Force_of_Will_]

I think its a grand Idea.I really do Hate vfx of all types weapons and spells.
Pox I think thats something that would improve Layo. and I think with out vfx on everything the Lag might decrease.

[Olme]

I agree as well . I am not a fan of all this glowing, pulsating hardware.

It also seems to me that a character, like a rogue who might be trying to sneak attack would not, for RP reasons at least, want a glowing beacon of fire or cold attracting attention.

Another option might be to have the wielding of a weapon with visual effects to have a decidely negative impact on the ability (skill) to Hide. ?

[Acacea]

*Raises hand.* Me too. Especially the "at least an option to remove the visuals" part. Yes...and...I've nothing to add. *Twiddle.*

[Zen]

I also agree I didn't know about the no option on the rodIII or IV but as with my monk with a rodIII or IV his hands will always glow red .. yuck.

Please    Please    Please    insert a removal of the glow  

[Talan Va'lash]

Gloves don't have vfx.

-TV

[Falreign]

Unfortunately. I think flaming gloves would be cool. Personally I like VFX but I also like to choose not to have them even if I will whind up putting it on anyway  

[miltonyorkcastle]

jumping on the bandwagon here, as I've played on servers that actually have had physical damage enchantments.  they actually end up being less powerful than the elemental damage in that there are more creatures that can soak physical damage than creatures that have DR vs elemental damage.  

so that would be a vote for physical damage enchantments.

[ShrubberyJSC]

I would support a reduction of the hide skill with a glowing sword equipped.

Would this be hard to enact?