Traditional fantasy-based MMO classes redesigned for a post-apocalyptic setting: ( 3 / 9 ) hunters
Hunters (or archers/rangers) were one of the two classes I had the most trouble reworking. I considered making them ‘snipers’ before deciding that it would be more cohesive if none of the classes used actual guns. So these guys ended up being designed with (hypothetical) PvP vs. PvE configurations in mind.
The general focus for both of them is stealth.
PvP equipment (left) is designed for a ruined urban setting, balancing stealth, protection and high mobility. Loose hoodie sleeves are taped close to the body for ease of movement, the night vision goggles help in dark areas, and basic protective gear (archery chest guard, thigh- and shin-guards) raise defense. The crossbow helps punch through armor.
PvE equipment (right) sacrifices some mobility and defense in exchange for even higher stealth. The ghillie suit base allows for adaptation to different types of foliage, and the compound bow – while less punchy than the crossbow – keeps the noise level down and allows for quicker “reloads”.
(The hex camo pattern is by black-light-studio on DeviantArt.)
(via cthulhu-with-a-fez)
Traditional fantasy-based MMO classes redesigned for a post-apocalyptic setting: ( 4 / 9 ) merchants
Merchants are a rather strange class to consider for a game, but they seem like an indispensable part of the fantasy class landscape in a way.
Merchants, of course, would have to have a way to carting around their goods; for a post-apocalyptic setting, I think the huge packs usually used in cross-country backpacking would be a good fit. The weight of those packs means merchants can’t spare that much extra stamina to wear heavy armor, so they mostly wear normal, durable clothes and hiking shoes for ease of movement.
Being in charge of foraging for and hauling around supplies means access to some weapons that would be impractical for other classes. Molotov cocktails require more preparation time before use, but are good for quick bursts of damage. The alternative is a “junk gun.”
The junk gun works a lot like a handheld catapult, launching nuts and bolts at very high velocities, enough to feel punchy even through basic armor. It’s effectively a very crude shotgun – not terribly accurate, but enough to do the job.
Merchants obviously aren’t going to be out there doing a lot of damage, mostly acting as support, but they just have the means to hold their own when necessary.
(via cthulhu-with-a-fez)
Traditional fantasy-based MMO classes redesigned for a post-apocalyptic setting: ( 5 / 9 ) bards
Given the somewhat whimsical nature of the original class, I struggled with translating bards into something more realistic before my friend Fal suggested going in the direction of rally leaders, which ended up working out great. (They started out as more straightforward rock starlets, which would have been adequate but not very unique, I think.)
The core imagery was taken from girls’ cheerleader uniforms and – due to the aggressive un-cuteness of most male cheerleadering uniforms – stereotypical ouendan clothes. I wanted both outfits to be moderately fanservice-y but easy to move in and somewhat durable.
Bards are heavily skewed towards long-distance support, so their defensive gear is a bit more for looks than functionality. They wear lacrosse leg guards and thigh guards, while their arm braces are a stacked combination of bite sleeves, police arm guards and heavy-duty gloves. MMA chestplates are optional.
Buffs and debuffs are cast by shouting cheers/chants and rallying cries through a megaphone. A portable speaker cobbled together with a backpacking strap set can be appended to the megaphone in order to increase range and effectiveness. Cheer flags serve the same function as megaphones, but can’t be enhanced with speakers; in exchange, they can be wielded like bo staffs for close- to mid-range combat.
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Traditional fantasy-based MMO classes redesigned for a post-apocalyptic setting: ( 6 / 9 ) rogues
Rogues were the class other than archers that gave me the most trouble in redesigning. In the end, I decided it would be easiest to approach the two as DPS classes that focused on opposite aspects: stealth vs. speed. (DEX vs AGI in RPG terms?)
Rogues focus entirely on getting close to the enemy and dealing as much damage as quickly as possible. Though they wear some basic armor (dirtbike chest and shoulder protectors), their outfits mostly emphasis sleekness and mobility; speed-cycling and mountain biking clothes have a good balance of durability and ease of movement. Running shoes are favored over boots, sometimes preemptively paired with ankle braces.
Katars are the favored weapon of choice due to their huge thrusting power, much more effective at punching through armor than conventional knives and blades.
Explosive variants append “shotgun shells” of crude home-made explosives that add extra kick to a blow. A leather shield extends off the end of the katar in order to protect the arm from the impact. Which this does allow for bigger bursts of damage, it obviously requires the user to reload once in a while.
Corrosive variants are slotted with vials of acid, which flows into small channels and wells in the katar’s blade; once the blade punctures through an enemy’s armor, the acid will be left behind. Corrosion is slow-acting, applying a debuff and causing damage over time.
(via cthulhu-with-a-fez)
Traditional fantasy-based MMO classes redesigned for a post-apocalyptic setting: ( 7 / 9 ) monks
Traditional fantasy-based “monk”-type classes seem to usually have deep ties to nature to augment their bare-knuckle fisticuffs, so I thought it’d be reasonable to take them in the opposite direction for a post-apocalyptic setting. So, these guys still rely solely on their fists in combat, but are aided by mechanical enhancements.
The mechanical enhancements are most obviously visible as large gauntlets, but also includes components integrated more deeply into the user’s physique, allowing for greater durability and strength. As a result, monks are able to “heal” (i.e. repair) themselves to a greater degree than most other classes are capable of (with the exception of dedicated healer classes).
Due to their mechanical enhancements, monks are well-rounded fighters hampered only by below-average speed and range. Though largely self-sufficient, they also don’t have any particular stand-out strengths.
(via cthulhu-with-a-fez)
Traditional fantasy-based MMO classes redesigned for a post-apocalyptic setting: ( 8 / 9 ) paladins
The dedicated tanks and powerhouse meatshields. Paladins are pretty much the only class clad in proper armor (scavenged riot and police armor), unlike many other classes, where their armor is cobbled together from sporting equipment and other substitutes. As a result, they tend to be incredibly robust and are able to soak up huge amounts of damage.
On the other hand, the scarcity of shields forces paladins to scrounge up some pretty creative substitutes. Because true firearms are so rare, objects like car doors, thick metal sheeting, and steel doors can be fitted with makeshift harnesses and handles to serve as shields. While these shields would be easily punctured by bullets, they aren’t so easily overwhelmed by bladed weapons or makeshift guns, making them suitable for the setting.
Heavier two-handed shields can be used as weapons themselves, functioning like battering rams in order to damage foes; they tend to have higher defense, but their attacks are much slower and clumsier. Lighter shields only require one arm to use but don’t soak up as much damage; in exchange, they can be used in conjunction with polearms like spears to deftly fend off attackers.
(via cthulhu-with-a-fez)
drst:
so my english professor told us this story last year about how he met his wife and it’s completely possible that he made it up just to entertain us but he says it happened and the story is this
he’s a a cruise with his parents to australia where he’s gonna spend a year or so for some reason. can’t remember why but it was job related. his mom is worried that if he spends too long away from her without her constant advice (my mom is also like this lol) he’s going to do something impulsive and ridiculous.
so, he decides to prank her by pretending to get married to a woman he just met. because he’s obviously so impulsive and ridiculous. so he’s talking to people and stuff and he asks this woman if she’s cool with pretending to marry him to prank his parents. and she says yes. then he goes and talks to the captain and crewmembers and he’s like “i have this ridiculously funny prank where i’m going to pretend to marry this lovely woman to freak out my mom.” and they, of course, reply hell yeah. so like since the first mate has the power to marry people, i guess, he agrees to the fake wedding.
so at lunch he’s like “mom, dad, this is alyssa. i met her last night and we’re in love and also getting married.” and his mom freaks out and that could be that. but no.
if they’re gonna do this they’re gonna go big or go home.
so, he changes his facebook status to “married to alyssa” and invites all his friends to his wedding in the middle of the ocean. (and they believe him and congratulate him and he’s concerned that his friends think he would really marry a random woman he met like six hours ago)
now his mom is getting really nervous b/c alyssa (the fake bride) got her friends she was on the cruise to be her bridesmaids. they got the first mate to “marry” then at dinner in front of people. the mom is horrified.
anyway the next day he goes “just kidding!” and it’s hilarious. but then he has to contact all his friends who were calling him on the phone and stuff to congratulate him to tell them it was an elaborate joke and they all think he’s an asshole and he and alyssa part ways but keep in touch b/c they… actually get along pretty well.
anyway like a year later they meet up again in boston (i think? big city that wasnt new york) and talk and end up dating for like a year and then end up engaged for real. and now he invites his friends to his real wedding and all their RSVPs essentially say “i’ll show up, but if this is another fake one i’ll fucking murder you” and the mom just flat out didnt believe him for a month because she’s not falling for that again.
and now they’ve been married happily for like three years and they’re expecting their second child who has probably been born by now
and the overall point of this post is: imagine your otp
Well this is a prompt for fic if I’ve ever seen one.
(via cthulhu-with-a-fez)
godspeed to everyone in retail out there working thanksgiving / black friday. stay hydrated and don’t let the shitty customers get to you too much, it’ll go faster than you think.
Pray4us
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one of my favorite tropes is when a character who is sort of morally mediocre and Only In It For Themself is dragged kicking and screaming into caring about other people and doing good things
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