I'm a fan of melee in this game, and for years there's been a lack of updates to melee (Sledge getting a book series was good).
So, here are my (off-the-top-of-my-head) suggestions:
(Perception)
- make three types of spear, instead of just one, and include shovel as a "fourth" type of (psuedo-)spear
- one type of spear can be the current version, focused on armour-penetration
- a second type can be the old type of spear ("javelin"), with the ability to be thrown
- the third type can be a "spontoon", focused on bleeds and slowing enemies so you can kite them (like the knife)
- the shovel can be the knock-back focused thrusting weapon, as it kind of already is
There'd only need to be one spear and one shovel in the stone tier, and later tiers would branch out to keep all 4.
(Strength)
- clubs, bats, sledge, axes, pickaxes
Currently there's only one Baseball Bat, and it gets buried by the Steel Club. I'd rather clubs and bats be separate weapon types.
Axes would get higher dismember chance.
(Fortitude)
- Fists and Shields.
Adding a shield as a dedicated melee weapon really embodies the stat of Fortitude. You could have hugely reduced debuff chance when facing a zombie while holding a shield, and the shield would have low damage and short range. You could kind of use your Stamina bar as an extra health bar in combat while using a Shield.
(Agility)
- Knives, Machetes, Swords.
I'd separate knives and machetes into their own categories, and add swords as a separate category.
(Intellect)
- Batons, Robotic Sledge, Auger.
Long has the Auger been an alternative to the Pickaxe for mining... But if I'm honest, the Auger is the "technology instead of stamina" alternative to Pickaxe. So, why not make it Intellect?
With this line-up, each category keeps a distinct vibe, but the player is given more options for which melee weapons (or tools as melee weapons) to choose.
Perception is about fighting at a distance, and using your eyes to pick your target and place your point. Like how the Shovel perk was added to Perception, you place your shovel where you want to dig, then your weight push down into the ground. Perception isn't about being super fast, or super strong, or super smart, it's about looking and deciding. And I think that having different types of spears for different playstyles helps embody that.
Strength is about applying your muscle to the problem. Blunt weapons, such as clubs, bats, sledgehammers, axes, pickaxes embody this. Direct and forceful. Which the Auger is not.
Fortitude is about endurance. Surviving, taking hits, healing, persisting, resisting. The shield seems a natural fit, as do fists (your natural weapons as a human).
Agility is about dexterity, balance, quick hands, careful feet. The knife is a natural choice, so is the bow and stealth. But I've always preferred the idea that the machete is an alternative to the knife, not a direct replacement. And what's more bombastic (but still as agile) than a machete? A sword. And why wouldn't swords exist in a post-apoc setting?
Intellect is about using technology to supplement your physical effort. Such as using a Stun Baton's electricity instead of just using your brawn and a club. Which is exactly like the Auger (and Chainsaw). Just as a shovel isn't really about raw strength, the Auger and Chainsaw also aren't about raw strength.
But in saying that, perhaps I'd put Auger and Chainsaw into the Generalist category, because they don't really fit Intellect that neatly either.
So the line-up of melee options + tools + ranged weapons, divided into their stat categories:
Perception (melee)
- armour-penetrating spear
- bleed & slow kiting spear
- throwing javelin
- shovel
- wrench/ratchet/impact driver
Perception (non-melee)
- rifle
- explosives
Strength (melee)
- club
- bat
- sledge
- axe
- pickaxe
Strength (non-melee)
- shotgun
Fortitude (melee)
- fists
- shield
Fortitude (non-melee)
- machine guns (assault rifles, LMGs)
Agility (melee)
- knife
- machete
- sword
Agility (non-melee)
- pistols
- submachinegun
- bow
- crossbow
Intellect (melee)
- baton / stun baton
- robotic sledge
Intellect (non-melee)
- turrets
General (melee)
- Auger
- Chainsaw
General (non-melee)
- lockpicks
I think this divides up the tools fairly. Perception and Strength are the "gathering" stats, and both get the most melee options. Fortitude and Agility have the most general combat benefits, and have a medium amount of melee options. Intellect is the "crafting" stat, and gets the least melee options.
So, here are my (off-the-top-of-my-head) suggestions:
(Perception)
- make three types of spear, instead of just one, and include shovel as a "fourth" type of (psuedo-)spear
- one type of spear can be the current version, focused on armour-penetration
- a second type can be the old type of spear ("javelin"), with the ability to be thrown
- the third type can be a "spontoon", focused on bleeds and slowing enemies so you can kite them (like the knife)
- the shovel can be the knock-back focused thrusting weapon, as it kind of already is
There'd only need to be one spear and one shovel in the stone tier, and later tiers would branch out to keep all 4.
(Strength)
- clubs, bats, sledge, axes, pickaxes
Currently there's only one Baseball Bat, and it gets buried by the Steel Club. I'd rather clubs and bats be separate weapon types.
Axes would get higher dismember chance.
(Fortitude)
- Fists and Shields.
Adding a shield as a dedicated melee weapon really embodies the stat of Fortitude. You could have hugely reduced debuff chance when facing a zombie while holding a shield, and the shield would have low damage and short range. You could kind of use your Stamina bar as an extra health bar in combat while using a Shield.
(Agility)
- Knives, Machetes, Swords.
I'd separate knives and machetes into their own categories, and add swords as a separate category.
(Intellect)
- Batons, Robotic Sledge, Auger.
Long has the Auger been an alternative to the Pickaxe for mining... But if I'm honest, the Auger is the "technology instead of stamina" alternative to Pickaxe. So, why not make it Intellect?
With this line-up, each category keeps a distinct vibe, but the player is given more options for which melee weapons (or tools as melee weapons) to choose.
Perception is about fighting at a distance, and using your eyes to pick your target and place your point. Like how the Shovel perk was added to Perception, you place your shovel where you want to dig, then your weight push down into the ground. Perception isn't about being super fast, or super strong, or super smart, it's about looking and deciding. And I think that having different types of spears for different playstyles helps embody that.
Strength is about applying your muscle to the problem. Blunt weapons, such as clubs, bats, sledgehammers, axes, pickaxes embody this. Direct and forceful. Which the Auger is not.
Fortitude is about endurance. Surviving, taking hits, healing, persisting, resisting. The shield seems a natural fit, as do fists (your natural weapons as a human).
Agility is about dexterity, balance, quick hands, careful feet. The knife is a natural choice, so is the bow and stealth. But I've always preferred the idea that the machete is an alternative to the knife, not a direct replacement. And what's more bombastic (but still as agile) than a machete? A sword. And why wouldn't swords exist in a post-apoc setting?
Intellect is about using technology to supplement your physical effort. Such as using a Stun Baton's electricity instead of just using your brawn and a club. Which is exactly like the Auger (and Chainsaw). Just as a shovel isn't really about raw strength, the Auger and Chainsaw also aren't about raw strength.
But in saying that, perhaps I'd put Auger and Chainsaw into the Generalist category, because they don't really fit Intellect that neatly either.
So the line-up of melee options + tools + ranged weapons, divided into their stat categories:
Perception (melee)
- armour-penetrating spear
- bleed & slow kiting spear
- throwing javelin
- shovel
- wrench/ratchet/impact driver
Perception (non-melee)
- rifle
- explosives
Strength (melee)
- club
- bat
- sledge
- axe
- pickaxe
Strength (non-melee)
- shotgun
Fortitude (melee)
- fists
- shield
Fortitude (non-melee)
- machine guns (assault rifles, LMGs)
Agility (melee)
- knife
- machete
- sword
Agility (non-melee)
- pistols
- submachinegun
- bow
- crossbow
Intellect (melee)
- baton / stun baton
- robotic sledge
Intellect (non-melee)
- turrets
General (melee)
- Auger
- Chainsaw
General (non-melee)
- lockpicks
I think this divides up the tools fairly. Perception and Strength are the "gathering" stats, and both get the most melee options. Fortitude and Agility have the most general combat benefits, and have a medium amount of melee options. Intellect is the "crafting" stat, and gets the least melee options.