Which Archtype is Shadow Warrior

[Mercer7]

Melee DPS?

or

Ranged DPS?

[valarauko]

Shadow Warrior is ranged dps archtype.

[Nightsoldier]

They are range DPS who will mainly use your bow. It has been stated that you can have some melee attacks. That means that you pew pew pew and then a smack rather then pew pew pew pew. So basicaly they are ranged dps and can possibly have a few attacks to finish someone off in melee range.

[Mercer7]

Thank you .... I won't point fingers but I read a post on another site that suggested White Lion will be the Ranged DPS class sort of like Squig Herders and their pets... I then completely forgot everything I've read about shadow warriors and had to check back here.

Appreciate the support.

[Nightsoldier]

White Lion is rumoured (yes rumoured still) to be the melee DPS class. It is not yet 100% confirmed but most are pretty sure that White Lions will be the melee dps.

Also theres the main site (http://www.warhammeronline.com/english/home/index.php), the FAQ (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/faq.php), and the search engine (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/search.php) for most newwer person questions.

[ChosenOne]

Yeah, no way the white lion is rdps with a pet. Ever picture we see of them has them holding a massive axe.

We are still not sure of the degree of capability that the shadow warrior has in melee. Its basis though is at range with its bow.

[c_vadnais]

Yeah, no way the white lion is rdps with a pet. Ever picture we see of them has them holding a massive axe.

We are still not sure of the degree of capability that the shadow warrior has in melee. Its basis though is at range with its bow.

Yeah, hopefully the next newsletter can better flesh out the Shadow Warrior. I'm seeing a lot of people get confused by Paul's description of melee in the podcast (ex: some people thinking they can roll a shadow warrior for the sole purpose of dropping bow for a "melee" spec). They did say he was overzealous about it, hopefully they can explain it a little more in detail with a better explanation on how precisely the class will work (mechanic-wise)

[Rowhin]

White Lions traditionally use an axe as their main weapon. The Shadow Warriors are among the most proficient archers in the High Elf ranks. That should tell you what is what ;)

[Mercer7]

Well of all the careers, its the elves that seem the most complicated. For example, people keep referring to the Mage as a Healer / Nuker but what he really is is a Damager / Healer.. drawing chaos energy or some babble like that.

One last question since you all have such good answers here...

Does the Shadow Warrior use more of a "Backstab" or "Hide and Strike" style or is he a "I don't care if you see me or not I'll shoot you from 100 yards away" kinda guy?

My fears come from someone referring to them as rangers and I don't like rangers in any current MMOGs.

[c_vadnais]

I'm not really sure what you mean by those statements, unfortunately there isn't much info out on shadow warriors, so anything you see is pure speculation right now. However, they are a ranged class that focus' heavily on the use of their bow (they wouldn't be a ranged DPS if they didn't :rolleyes:).

I can only assume that they'll play like most archer classes in other games. Maybe not EXACTLY the same, but to some extent it will be similar in some form or another. A select few people are getting excited about being able to use melee, but I highly doubt melee will be a very deciding factor in the specialization of a shadow warrior (think of it as useful, but in no way necessary).

Edit: if you mean something like stealth, then no...for now Mythic has said there will not be any kind of invisibility skills in WAR. They're more than likely your 2nd option, simply plugging your enemy with arrows and using one or two ranged roots or snares they may have ^^

[Mercer7]

I'm talking about a situation like the Empire's Witch Hunter. His best attacks are from behind or flanking.

I hope the Shadow Warrior isn't the type that has to be behind a target or otherwise positioned in a special way to be more effective.

[Nightsoldier]

I'm talking about a situation like the Empire's Witch Hunter. His best attacks are from behind or flanking.

I hope the Shadow Warrior isn't the type that has to be behind a target or otherwise positioned in a special way to be more effective.

I doubt the shadow warrior will have many positionals. Most RDPS are meant to hide bhind there tank and shoot people. To have to be behind someone would make you an easy kill because youd get a fews shots off and then get zerged by the opposing teams. MDPS on the other hand are kind of meant to be sneaky and get the RDPS and support.

[c_vadnais]

I'm talking about a situation like the Empire's Witch Hunter. His best attacks are from behind or flanking.

I hope the Shadow Warrior isn't the type that has to be behind a target or otherwise positioned in a special way to be more effective.


no, being a ranged DPS, I dont see any reason at all they would have positional attacks. Wether you're in front or behind, me putting an arrow through your neck is still gonna hurt plenty :rolleyes:

[ChosenOne]

If I had to make an educated guess I would say Shadow Warriors will be more about heavy single target damage. They may have some multiple arrow shots that seem like aoe but their damage is physical thus they are better off finding single less armored targets and laying it on them heavy. Since that includes other RDPS's I would then hazard a guess that the shadow warrior will have the advantage in that situation and the other enemy rdps and lighter armored support characters will then have to depend on others to help get the shadow warrior off of them.

That will lead into the possibility of shadow warrior melee. While he is trying to get heals or help peeling off perhaps a melee dps on him he will have some melee attacks and defenses. I really dont get why a ranged dps would pull out his swords and charge in when his damage with a bow is obviously going to be higher. Thats why I feel SW's melee abilities will have some defensiveness to it. Now I dont mean base parry or dodge stats or anything like that. I mean some wounding blows that might slow the target, or weaken the target for a period of time. Just survival skills. Thats all I want out of melee for my shadow warrior.

[c_vadnais]

If I had to make an educated guess I would say Shadow Warriors will be more about heavy single target damage. They may have some multiple arrow shots that seem like aoe but their damage is physical thus they are better off finding single less armored targets and laying it on them heavy. Since that includes other RDPS's I would then hazard a guess that the shadow warrior will have the advantage in that situation and the other enemy rdps and lighter armored support characters will then have to depend on others to help get the shadow warrior off of them.

That will lead into the possibility of shadow warrior melee. While he is trying to get heals or help peeling off perhaps a melee dps on him he will have some melee attacks and defenses. I really dont get why a ranged dps would pull out his swords and charge in when his damage with a bow is obviously going to be higher. Thats why I feel SW's melee abilities will have some defensiveness to it. Now I dont mean base parry or dodge stats or anything like that. I mean some wounding blows that might slow the target, or weaken the target for a period of time. Just survival skills. Thats all I want out of melee for my shadow warrior.

I completely agree with you there, its been a worry of mine just how the melee will work. The class has a lot of potential to be really fun, i'd hate to see it get thrown "off balance" so to speak by giving it too many offensive melee abilities that can be exploited and used instead of the bow. I'm just trusting Mythic is already way ahead of me :D (which they probably are, I know im not the sharpest crayon in the box >.>)

[Kosme]

I really dont get why a ranged dps would pull out his swords and charge ...

Because it's fun :D ...

I think Shadow warriors who specialise in the "melee Tree" will have like 40% melee 60% ranged.

[c_vadnais]

Because it's fun :D ...

I think Shadow warriors who specialise in the "melee Tree" will have like 40% melee 60% ranged.

that's a very small chance....VERY small. giving it those kind of percentages would lead to people dropping their bow altogether and going with their melee, which wouldn't make sense with a ranged DPS class at all:rolleyes:

[ChosenOne]

Because it's fun :D ...

I think Shadow warriors who specialise in the "melee Tree" will have like 40% melee 60% ranged.


Well then by all means do so, after all Mr. Paul Barnett put it best, "Fun you F******".

All I am saying is that dont expect to have some killer finishing blows with your swords. (although I could be wrong)

[Kosme]

that's a very small chance....VERY small. giving it those kind of percentages would lead to people dropping their bow altogether and going with their melee, which wouldn't make sense with a ranged DPS class at all:rolleyes:

Na ... they'll just be using the melee to finish off the enemies ... like it says in the podcast "You'll be using your bow and you can go melee to finish you enemies or you can go bow bow bow and kill em from afar ..." Or something like that.

If they want melee dps the would pick WL.

I want to use my bow for fighting ... but if i feel like chargin into a wounded enemy to kill em with my sword I want to be able to do it ... and do it well.

[c_vadnais]

Well then by all means do so, after all Mr. Paul Barnett put it best, "Fun you F******".

All I am saying is that dont expect to have some killer finishing blows with your swords. (although I could be wrong)

i'm agreeing with Chosen here, i've said it before, if a shadow warrior's melee prowess is ANYTHING other than the ability to knock off the last 10% of your opponents health it will become a balance issue very quickly. It said in the podcast you'll be using your bow A LOT, so its more "bow, bow, bow, bow, bow, and a -little- stabbing." (which is the phrase used in the podcast if i remember correctly)

Editz for teh speelingz errurz

[Kosme]

Why would it be a balance issue ... What happens if a chopa charges you and you where able to take only 60% of hes HPs before going melee ... you'll probable end up dead :S
BTW Acording to the lore (or what i have read) SW are good with the bow AND the sword.

[ChosenOne]

Well here is to hoping that this months newsletter tells us about the shadow warrior and not the white lion.

They havnt even released the white lion yet so I would be a bit disappointed if they skipped over the shadow warrior in this newsletter.

And yes, we know this newsletter will be featuring a high elf class. Archmage and Swordmaster have already been fleshed out.

[c_vadnais]

Why would it be a balance issue ... What happens if a chopa charges you and you where able to take only 60% of hes HPs before going melee ... you'll probable end up dead :S
BTW Acording to the lore (or what i have read) SW are good with the bow AND the sword.

that's the point, my friend, you're RANGED DPS...yes the lore says they're good with a sword, but for the purpose of balancing the archetype out with others giving them too much melee ability AND good ranged damage becomes a problem. The basic principal behind them being a ranged DPS is that when you get close enough to do melee (as a melee DPSer) you can chew them up and spit them out.:rolleyes:

Picture yourself as that Orc Choppa, would you ENJOY taking damage from a shadow warrior at a distance and then run up to kill him only to be out melee'd by a ranged DPS class?:idea:

[Kosme]

But they are the "Ranger Archtype" They are not casters with very very light armor ... I would be very disappointed if they make SW a "nuker-like" class.
I'm saying that they should not be completely gimped in melee ... If they are able to do 30-40% the dmg of a choppa in melee they would be pretty balanced i think. But only if they are spected to go melee.

[c_vadnais]

But they are the "Ranger Archtype" They are not casters with very very light armor ... I would be very disappointed if they make SW a "nuker-like" class.
I'm saying that they should not be completely gimped in melee ... If they are able to do 30-40% the dmg of a choppa in melee they would be pretty balanced i think. But only if they are spected to go melee.

"Ranger Archetype" isn't really the phrase I would use, they're ranged DPS just like the bright wizard or engineer. Though I do see your point now, I was a little confused as to how you expected it to be balanced, but I see what you mean. However, I would still like to see them put a heavy emphasis on the bow, I know that previous games that gave an archer class melee abilities always led to people going pure melee with that class. My hopes are that their "melee prowess" will be limited to finishing off someone you could technically just shoot with another arrow or two to kill. :rolleyes:

[Rathenau]

Just as an interjection here; as for the lore, in the TT version; Shadow warriors must be deployed and used in skirmish formation (So rather loose, like Warhammer 40k) are scouts (being able to deploy outside the usual deployment zone) and well pretty obviously hate dark elves. They have bows and light armour and no additional melee combat orientation whatsoever. Even their champion, a shadow walker, has more ballistic skill instead of an additional attack. Given, I never followed High Elves before this edition of warhammer (7th is it, or 6, I can never remember) so they could have been different before.

To get to a point, from a lore perspective the Shadow warrior has nothing to do with melee whatsoever. And the correction on the podcast should make it more then clear that that is what EA Mystic is intending with the career, I’ll even quote it for you guys;

"...Ok we've had to pause this podcast. It was actually recorded quite a while ago and Adam Gershowitz, our fantastic career guy, got to see the first cut and he said: "I'm a little concerned." He said; "The background is all good but Paul does get a little excitable when he talks about that character class. I want to make sure that he makes it clear what the class is." So the bit that he wants me to clarify is; Shadow warriors love their bow. And when I say; choose your own adventure; what we're actually talking about is: you can just go; "I love my bow, I'm great with my bow, bow, bow, bow, bow, bow, bow, bow and a little bit of stabbing." Or you go; "I love my bow. I also like stabbing but really, I'm going to have to use the bow a lot!"

So the two versions he offers is; "I shoot things, I shoot things, I shoot things, then I run away to gain a little bit of distance" or; "I shoot things, I shoot things, I shoot things and then I'll stab you at the end to finish you off". And not as I originally had cutted; you basically use the bow or you go; aaah to heck with the bow. I'm going to use stabby stuff. So there you are, that's the clarification. We would off course just reshoot the thing but we're busy making the game. So this voice over is the best you're going to get. And so CJ has added some extra words which stress the fact that bows are used by shadow warriors and hopefully I'll make Adam happy. Ok back up to the podcast!.."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0dNcTzRIYA&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0dNcTzRIYA&feature=related), 2:07 to 3:24, minutes and seconds respectively.

I don't think things can ever get clearer. Truly, it really can’t.