Let's face it. Backpedaling is and has always been a very powerful playstyle.
And with the current speed of the game and skill of the average player its usefullness only continues to rise.
I'm not saying it cannot be beaten, or that it doesn't have its disadvantages, but it is strong, and above all, imo, very boring.
In the past there have been threads/posts suggesting movement speed nerfs for backpedaling but that shouldn't be tampered with imo. Backpedaling should remain a viable defensive measure and when it comes to the movement speed in itself I at least feel that it's just about right.
What I would like to see though is less reward in the offensive department for backpedaling. Currently you have the speed bonus yes, but most of the time that works in favor of the backpedaler since his enemy will be moving towards him.
What I suggest is a flat damage increase/decrease depending on your speed and direction of movement.This would encourage a more offensive style of play, both in duels and in battle. I feel the rewards for it are lacking in both currently. By going on the offensive you expose yourself to all manner of nastiness such as increased damage from arrows/attacks due to speedbonus, kicks, getting surrounded, etc and that's all fine but what's lacking are the rewards imo.
Currently the main reason for going really offensive on someone (read: backpedalers) in a duel/battle is because you want to actually get in contact with him, but you'll always be at a definitive disadvantage. and this is a bit silly imo.
The penalty for moving backwards should be bigger than the bonus for moving forward btw.
Other reasons why I'd like to see this change:
1. Buffing short weapons. They're horribly underused.
2. Buffing agi. Increased acceleration would mean that agi builds could make more use of the feature.
3. More damage vs. runners.
4. Rewards *good* teamwork. Making decisive pushes would have more of an effect.
5. Adds something to the movement in combat rather than just "outrange, outrange, outrange".
6. Kicking, standard outranging and other defensive techniques would still be perfectly viable, while reducing the effect of the s-key + spam.
Problems I initially see with this:
1. Group fighting. Fighting a group as a single guy would be much harder.
2. 1h, they'll probably become too powerful.
3. Powering up the run away thensuddenlyturn-technique.
4. I have no clue of how to do it or if it's even possible with a sane amount of effort.
Comments? Like/dislike? Suggestions?
From a realistic standpoint (even thoguh that shouldn't really be considered for game balance), this could represent inertia, momentum and the awkwardness of fighting while moving backwards.
Poll