The scale of Strom'kar, what's missing from the Arms artifact weapon

[Toppy]

I think the problem with Strom'kar lore-wise is that it doesn't really come across as a very Human sword visually. Certainly there are probably enough spikes on it to tip the hat to humans' Vrykul ancestors--it's a bit Wrath-ish in design in some respects, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch. I wonder if they'd have been better going for more of a (GM) Greatsword template and then adding bits from there for the skins. It would still be big, wide, and imposing... but it seems very limited in design by the liquid chamber and shaft effect, rather than being a pure blade. That might be what they're going for... the chamber and shaft as its identity. And I realise Strom'kar has absorbed some shadow magic somehow, that much is obvious, but I have a feeling they'll limit themselves to including that 'chemistry apparatus' for every new skin. Although, if that 'Arathor 06' axe skin is indeed Arms', then maybe there's hope. Might have been better if they'd had a broken blade and it was fused back together with the shadow magic. A bit like Shattered Ashbringer, but just two pieces 'fused' down the middle--like a broken, shadowy Thunderfury.

Doesnt really seem to match anyone, likely because it barely looks like a weapon in the first place.

[Archimtiros]

I think the problem with Strom'kar lore-wise is that it doesn't really come across as a very Human sword visually.

This is an interesting point, though I think it's difficult to, since the Sword revolves around a person and a culture we have never seen before. I absolutely agree that the problem is one of theme.

This is one of the main points I tried to hit in my OP. Looking at all of the artifacts, many of them draw from already well represented piece of lore so as to be immediately recognizable: Frostmourne, Ashbringer, Doomhammer, Scythe of Elune.

There are a number which do not, but they have enough iconography that the connection is easily made apparent, or the model itself is unique enough to be easily identifiable: Warglaives, Apocalypse, Felo'melorn, and the Eagle Spear, to name a few.

Then there's the category of weapons which Strom'kar falls into. They really have no defining characteristic, and are hardly have any special characteristic to define them separately from just another one of it's base model types (ie: just another 2h sword). Some of them squeeze by due to having unique models, or using an unusual base type. For example, only Hunters use Guns/Bows, and while you might say those weapons are not very well defined either, looking at it, there is no question that it is a hunter weapon; the same cannot be said for Strom'kar, as 2h swords are used by multiple classes.

I believe this third category of weapons are what need the most attention, and I chose to focus on Strom'kar, obviously because I am most familiar with Warriors. It doesn't necessarily have to be scale, though I think it's the easiest/most effective way to do it, but I believe it's a problem that needs to be addressed.

[Toppy]

This is an interesting point, though I think it's difficult to, since the Sword revolves around a person and a culture we have never seen before. I absolutely agree that the problem is one of theme.

This is one of the main points I tried to hit in my OP. Looking at all of the artifacts, many of them draw from already well represented piece of lore so as to be immediately recognizable: Frostmourne, Ashbringer, Doomhammer, Scythe of Elune.

There are a number which do not, but they have enough iconography that the connection is easily made apparent, or the model itself is unique enough to be easily identifiable: Warglaives, Apocalypse, Felo'melorn, and the Eagle Spear, to name a few.

Then there's the category of weapons which Strom'kar falls into. They really have no defining characteristic, and are hardly have any special characteristic to define them separately from just another one of it's base model types (ie: just another 2h sword). Some of them squeeze by due to having unique models, or using an unusual base type. For example, only Hunters use Guns/Bows, and while you might say those weapons are not very well defined either, looking at it, there is no question that it is a hunter weapon; the same cannot be said for Strom'kar, as 2h swords are used by multiple classes.

I believe this third category of weapons are what need the most attention, and I chose to focus on Strom'kar, obviously because I am most familiar with Warriors. It doesn't necessarily have to be scale, though I think it's the easiest/most effective way to do it, but I believe it's a problem that needs to be addressed.

Even worse, the weapon itself is elf made, so says Thoradin.

It certainly doesnt look it.

and yeah, that issue is for all the warrior weapons. You cant point at any of them and go "Thats definitely warrior"

[CthulhuFhtagn]

This is an interesting point, though I think it's difficult to, since the Sword revolves around a person and a culture we have never seen before. I absolutely agree that the problem is one of theme.

This is one of the main points I tried to hit in my OP. Looking at all of the artifacts, many of them draw from already well represented piece of lore so as to be immediately recognizable: Frostmourne, Ashbringer, Doomhammer, Scythe of Elune.

There are a number which do not, but they have enough iconography that the connection is easily made apparent, or the model itself is unique enough to be easily identifiable: Warglaives, Apocalypse, Felo'melorn, and the Eagle Spear, to name a few.

Then there's the category of weapons which Strom'kar falls into. They really have no defining characteristic, and are hardly have any special characteristic to define them separately from just another one of it's base model types (ie: just another 2h sword). Some of them squeeze by due to having unique models, or using an unusual base type. For example, only Hunters use Guns/Bows, and while you might say those weapons are not very well defined either, looking at it, there is no question that it is a hunter weapon; the same cannot be said for Strom'kar, as 2h swords are used by multiple classes.

I believe this third category of weapons are what need the most attention, and I chose to focus on Strom'kar, obviously because I am most familiar with Warriors. It doesn't necessarily have to be scale, though I think it's the easiest/most effective way to do it, but I believe it's a problem that needs to be addressed.

It shoudn't have been a sword at all imo. They should have gone with a 2H mace, which solved the recognizability issue as there are no other 2H mace artifacts and fits with the whole Colossus Smash oriented gameplay of Arms.

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Even worse, the weapon itself is elf made, so says Thoradin.

It certainly doesnt look it.

Yeah, I have a difficult time believing that Thoradin conquered anything with that ineffectual hunk of metal.

[Toppy]

It shoudn't have been a sword at all imo. They should have gone with a 2H mace, which solved the recognizability issue as there are no other 2H mace artifacts and fits with the whole Colossus Smash oriented gameplay of Arms.

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Yeah, I have a difficult time believing that Thoradin conquered anything with that ineffectual hunk of metal.

I like how it supposedly stabbed the monster.

You know, the weapon with a blunt stabbing end.

[CthulhuFhtagn]

I like how it supposedly stabbed the monster.

You know, the weapon with a blunt stabbing end.

No wonder the damn thing didn't die.

[Archimtiros]

Even worse, the weapon itself is elf made, so says Thoradin.

It certainly doesnt look it.

and yeah, that issue is for all the warrior weapons. You cant point at any of them and go "Thats definitely warrior"

Made by the Vrykul, the Elves then enchanted it, then it soaked in old god stank for awhile.

[chooi]

It shoudn't have been a sword at all imo. They should have gone with a 2H mace, which solved the recognizability issue as there are no other 2H mace artifacts and fits with the whole Colossus Smash oriented gameplay of Arms.

I disagree on 'only mace' artifact for Arms. Because, well, they are often Maces and not Warhammers. That's why The Black Hand is one of the few 'maces' in the game that actually looks good for me.

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I still think that Warriors (all specs) should have been the only class without the artifact per spec. But an artifact instead. That means: not a specific artifact but many that we choose from (each 1h/2h Sword, Axe, Mace/Hammer + Shield(s) for Prot). I'd rather have one really cool weapon design of each type instead of 4 similar sword designs. I mean, we are the masters of arms. We should have the whole arsenal at our disposal.

That could have also solved the 'SMF vs. TG' problem for Fury BTW - could have been even possible to combine both. Prot Warriors would have not only a shield but also a cool weapon.

Lorewise: instead of 'oh look, go there and get the sword from random barbarian king' it would be something like 'oh look, we just found a super rare alien metal infused with herpaderpz magic that is super effective versus demons. go, get it and we'll craft a fine warrior weapon for you that only a true Warrior champion can wield.'

Of course, artifact traits and abilities would be the same for all respectively.

[Toppy]

I disagree on 'only mace' artifact for Arms. Because, well, they are Maces and not Warhammers. That's why The Black Hand is one of the few 'maces' in the game that actually looks good for me.

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I still think that Warriors (all specs) should have been the only class without the artifact per spec. But an artifact instead. That means: not a specific artifact but many that we choose from (each 1h/2h Sword, Axe, Mace + Shield(s) for Prot). I'd rather have one really cool weapon design of each type instead of 4 similar sword designs. I mean, we are the masters of arms. We should have a whole arsenal at our disposal.

That could have also solved the 'SMF vs. TG' problem for Fury BTW - could have been even possible to combine both.

Lorewise: instead of 'oh look, go there and get the sword from random barbarian king' it would be something like 'oh look, we just found a super rare alien metal that is super effective versus demons. go, get it and we'll craft a fine warrior weapon for you that only a true Warrior champion can wield.'

Of course, artifact traits and abilities would be the same for all respectively.

We know blizz is ok with changing the entire weapon type with a model change (see: the marksman crossbow) they should have done that with warrior wewapons.

But shoulda woulda coulda. None of its gonna change. We're stuck in someone elses light themed heaven using three different swords that dont look like actual weapons let alone swords (well prot does, but for some reason only casters can have a 1 handed artifact and an offhand all of which have different models)

[Throren]

Even worse, the weapon itself is elf made, so says Thoradin.

No he doesn't say they made it. As a gift/reward for offering their aid, the elves enchanted Throadin's sword. Nothing more.

Odyn's words "A mighty blade. Forged by the son of Vrykul"

[Linri]

god these weps are ugly as hell

[Ealyssa]

They are seriously people finding wow weapons too small ? Holy shit O_o

We know blizz is ok with changing the entire weapon type with a model change (see: the marksman crossbow) they should have done that with warrior wewapons.

They allready did...



Arms warrior axe

[Deleted]

I agree with the initial statement of Archi, but whereas Fury has d 2hswords, Arms artifact obviously should be an Axe!
One skin something like the Brox axe cenarius made, another one something gorehowl ish etc.

Hmm just saw ealyssas post above, have they changed it into an axe now??

[Murlocbait]

I agree with the initial statement of Archi, but whereas Fury has d 2hswords, Arms artifact obviously should be an Axe!
One skin something like the Brox axe cenarius made, another one something gorehowl ish etc.

Hmm just saw ealyssas post above, have they changed it into an axe now??

No, it's just the one skin (so far). It's still the same 2handed sword for the most part.

[Deleted]

No, it's just the one skin (so far). It's still the same 2handed sword for the most part.

Lets hope for a hammer skin to come as well.