Hear me out, I have not seen any of these ideas proposed. Will do my best not to waste your time.
(1) Idea is to have Dual Wielding return in all its glory as a Power up. Say what you want, but it will justify the opness of dual wielding better than it being a default feature. At times, the damage can be comparable to that of Damage boost, depending on what and how you are using your weapon. Though, just like Damage boost, you slip up once and you can loose it all. I can see players of all types trying to be rambo with this ability. All weapons can be duel wielded and the power up will have a timer like all, but just a few seconds longer than the rest. Same weapons can scope in if they have scope, and weapons with scope alike can as well.
Examples: Two Snipers, one reticule both scoped in should produce a 1 hit kill like Damage Boost Sniper. Say a 6sk scoped pistol returns. If you wield 2, it’s possible to have your 3sk.
(2) My second idea is based on melee power weapons alone. People may think to swords is silly/op, but have they even tried to balance it. Now this is all assuming that a combination like this should rarely occur. You are lucky to get the sword/hammer, but even more to find another one spawned or left behind by someone else. This is part of the balancing, but here are the suggestions below
(a) Dual Wield Swords: Have the same range as 1 sword. They will have 2 reticules instead of a main one, but they will not be that far from each other. If in range of multiple targets and both reticules light up, you will perform a double take down. Killing either of them both or 1 at a time automatically, but i think thrusters can be capable of dodging a maneuver. Having two reticules will allow you to kill one by one if you waned, but a small challenge would lie in that you may have to turn your body to get a reticule upon someone. The Special feature of 2 swords is that you are able to cross them both and block “some” oncoming bullets. Yes your health will deplete slower. Keep in mind, I am not adding sprint into this equation.
(b) Dual Wield Hammers: The will have one centralized reticule. They will have more power. Everyone knows that the hammer is capable of deflecting explosive projectiles. That ability increase some, but it rarely used effectively as 1 hammer. Not only will it block explosives like in previous games, but at the time of the hammer’s impact, it can block bullets, plasma fire, etc. Keep in mind that it only happens at the time your swing is completed and that every time you use the hammer, they time usage will deplete. Things like ghost or Warthog fire can be temporarily deflected, but you will not be invincible. It will only be enough to get to cover, but after the animation is done, the enemy can shoot you again before you attempt another slam.
(c) Dual Wield Sword and Hammer: Can be seen as the weaker of the 2 ideas above, but nevertheless, you can slash and smash with 2 separate reticules. The hammer can only block explosives if you time it correctly. The 1 sword can still block bullets, but it will be far less effective than if you had 2. To clarify, not dual wielding at all and having just 1 sword will not allow you to use its ability. These ideas are only for duel wielding.
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The reason why I chose melee weapons are because they are really limited by range unlike most power weapons and simply badass. Also, shotgun always wins. but you may have a chance with 2 melee power weapons. Thnks for staying with me, thoughts?