whereas all the other hybrid classes have some clear disadvantages (slot problems, accuracy problems, etc), melee-cav does not. there's no reason not to do it instead of a pure melee build unless you just don't like being cav.
It's a problem I want to see solved by slots. Making lances 3 slots will significantly nerf the viability of lancer hybrids, which is the worst offender of balance in regards to cav. They will still have similar builds, but have to scavenge for a decent weapon on the ground after dismount (creating vulnerability), spec into 1hand no shield (gimped like an arbalester/archer) or use the lance as melee (heavy lance is awful at this).
Also I think the lance and light lance need a damage nerf now too, and possibly speed as well to make them a bit worse as infantry. Increase the weights too to gimp their escapes.
Light Lancethrust damage:
27p - lower by 2 to
25pspeed rating:
91 - lower by 3 to
88weapon length:
175weight:
1.5 - raise by 2 to
3.5Lancethrust damage:
28p - lower by 2 to
26pspeed rating:
85 - lower by 4 to
81weapon length:
180weight:
1.5 - raise by 2.2 to
3.7Heavy Lancethrust damage:
23p - good
speed rating:
74 - good
weapon length:
190weight:
1.8 - raise by 2.2 to
4Every 2 directional polearm around 170 reach weighs nearly double the lances, and the lances are usually longer anyways with comparable damage. Nerf them across the board to be much worse infantry weapons and reduce the damage of Light and Lance to be comparable to the Heavy Lance nerf. Hell, people use the Light Lance as a hoplite weapon already because its very good for it.
I also would suggest nerfing the stats of the Destrier, War Horse, and Large War Horse. Too good for their price and the small investment needed in them. This will encourage people to go above 5 riding to increase their stats.
Tying riding skill to your own stats would be an elegant solution to STR cav as well. If your powerstrike is greater than your riding, your new PS is averaged between the difference.
21/18 and 24/15 builds get 6.5 PS. 27/15 builds get 7 PS. Encourage 18/18 builds for cavalry/infantry hybridization, or agi heavy.
Maybe tweak that a bit and throw in WPF into a formula (im bad at numbers.) The idea would be you need WM almost as high as your riding invested into a weapon to not get significant PS reduction. 110 wpf + riding = a build only doing half damage at all times. No matter how high your WPF is you should still end up doing less damage then a build with no riding and similar WPF. Maybe just a big reduction in WPF from riding skill instead of affecting PS with the same intent.
Ultimately find a balance to create a ghetto HA skill based on WM. HA skill already gives a persistent WPF nerf to your ranged skill, allegedly. Port this to your PS skill for melee cav/infantry hybrids, along with melee WPF reduction. Force cavalry players to max out WM and NOT spread it out (too much) to be a functional hybrid, while still having a broad reduction in infantry viability by lowering damage and swing speed.
