I get what the OP is saying and agree. There has always been a slight disconnect in all MMOs I can remember playing concerning the “realism” behind the effects of weaponry. Nowhere is this most evident than in Star Wars MMOs where you could be swinging a lightsaber at a boss for 20 mins or more. The damage the weapons do in game does not match up with the real world. Obviously one good hit from a lightsaber (or even a sword) would likely spell the end of fight for the one being struck. In a game world this is harder to manage and balance, as enemies would seem too weak and like the OP says developers counterbalance this by throwing huge swarms of mobs at the players which may not always make sense in the story.
There are so many variables in computer based combat damage (raw dps, dots, cc, buffs, debuffs) that it just becomes a nightmare to develop a system that endorses true balance and realistic gameplay. I would love a system where there are more misses and blocks than actual hits. This hints at a more defensive combat system – where some sort of defense rating (in conjunction with physics detection) ultimately decides if you are struck by an opponents weapon. Of course missing over and over again doesnt seem very fun either.
However, a mace to my face should have consequences other than a few hit points lost. Standing toe to toe and just trading blows has always left a sour taste in my mouth – its just an old approach to gaming that reminds me of old turn based combat or something – which in some senses was very balanced yet lacking in action when implemented. Throw magic in the mix and things get even more complicated. After all, how do you defend against a fireball with your sword?
Of course many MMO players dont like to hear this but I believe there should be more twitch based elements in action-adventure MMOs. The dodge mechanic is a good example. But also maybe consider a default block. I love how the block in GW2 blocks all damage – as a block should. Timing should matter as it does here, but we are still left with a toe to toe brawl where many direct hits are exchanged. Part of me misses the old D&D d20 system of AC where inherent defenses were actually useful and relevant – of course this always presented its own problems when translated to video game format.
I dont know, it’s just not easily accomplished – the balance. No one wants to be one or two shotted either, which is what a more realistic approach would allow for. Unless you managed it by having much more stout inherent defenses where such a strike was not so easily achieved. When you fully consider the difficulties of achieving such a system then the GW2 game play seems pretty well done IMO.
Oh where oh where is this hardcore hybrid D&D, Star Wars Academy, Guild Wars twitch MMO video game I am looking for?
