after 295 hours

[Wafflesaurus Supreme]

I've been playing with a spear this whole time, because it suits my style, but in literally every other game ever made, a two-handed weapon takes up both left and right hand weapon slots, and that's it. I discovered by accident that I can equip a one-handed weapon in the empty weapon slot just to gain the stats.

[Makam]

[Stygian]

At least it didn't take you 296 hours.

[vee-kay]

That's because it isn't a spear, it is a half-spear, and it's historically accurate. While a full spear or javelin or pike was meant as an infantry offense (made famous by the "phalanx" shields-spears-wall formation, in the 300 "This is Sparta!" movie series) and defense (spears were semi-planted on the ground, pointed against cavalry; nothing else used to deter a charge of thundering war-horses; African (esp. Masai) tribals have used this ancient technique to even hunt lions that they entice into a charge/jump into the planted spear).

A half-spear (called a "doru" in Greek military, is similar to the half-pike "spotoon" used in European military) is easy to carry and equip, and it's meant for quick thrusts and slashes to keep enemy at bay, and as an invaluable off-hand weapon, while the primary weapon was a longer thicker curved sword ("kopis", means "chopper" in Greek language) or shorter half sword ("xiphos"). The doru also had a thicker pointed knob at the other end (opposite end to the sharp pointed edged blade tip) which was used to stun opponents and finish off downed enemies, or as a pointed mace if the main spear-head was broken.

[Makam]

Originally posted by vee-kay:

That's because it isn't a spear, it is a half-spear, and it's historically accurate. While a full spear or javelin or pike was meant as an infantry offense (made famous by the "phalanx" shields-spears-wall formation, in the 300 "This is Sparta!" movie series) and defense (spears were semi-planted on the ground, pointed against cavalry; nothing else used to deter a charge of thundering war-horses; African (esp. Masai) tribals have used this ancient technique to even hunt lions that they entice into a charge/jump into the planted spear).

A half-spear (called a "doru" in Greek military, is similar to the half-pike "spotoon" used in European military) is easy to carry and equip, and it's meant for quick thrusts and slashes to keep enemy at bay, and as an invaluable off-hand weapon, while the primary weapon was a longer thicker curved sword ("kopis", means "chopper" in Greek language) or shorter half sword ("xiphos"). The doru also had a thicker knob at the other end (opposite end to the pointed edged blade tip) which was used to stun opponents and finish off downed enemies, or as a spearhead if the main spear-head was broken.

Very well said.
By the way, are you greek?

[vee-kay]

No, I am Indian (the Asian kind of Indian, LOL). But I love world history and mythology, which is why I love the AC games, and can appreciate Ubisoft's incredible research efforts while making them.

[Wafflesaurus Supreme]

I worked on a project where I modeled a hoplite with a dory and xiphos. The guy still only had two hands instead of three like in this game.

[vee-kay]

You still don't understand.

The "empty weapon slot" you spotted, is actually the secondary/alternate weapon slot. You can switch/swap between primary and secondary weapons at any time (during combat too, without opening inventory; there's hotkey for the weapon swap), and also carry an off-hand weapon if your primary or secondary weapons are one-handed weapons. Stats for weapons you equipped in primary and secondary slots are active, and unequipped weapons' stats won't be active.

You can equip weapons from 9 types: sword, spear, staff, dagger, bow, heavy bladed, heavy blunt.

So that's 3 weapons you can carry at all times (including the bow).

But your character still uses only 2 hands, not three (LOL)!
If wielding a 2H (2Handed) weapon (e.g., Poseidon's Trident), both hands will be occupied, otherwise you can use 2 1H (1handed weapons) for dual-wield melee combat.

See the picture of Kassandra wielding a 2H weapon here:
https://gamewith.net/assassins-creed-odyssey/article/show/684

Edit: the primary and secondary weapons slots are useful: e.g., suppose you prefer fighting animals with a Spear and use a sword against soldiers, this allows you to swap between those weapons as the situation arises. You can also keep one of the slots empty, so as to easily swap to unarmed combat. You should do this when fighting a mercenary that you want to recruit. You can rough them up with the weapon, but finish them off with your fist, so it's a knockout and then recruit them.

[Makam]

Originally posted by vee-kay:

No, I am Indian (the Asian kind of Indian, LOL). But I love world history and mythology, which is why I love the AC games, and can appreciate Ubisoft's incredible research efforts while making them.

That's even more fascinating, a non greek guy knowing so much as a greek one like me.
Your award is totally worth it!

I also agree about Ubi, they've done an excellent work.

[vee-kay]

Originally posted by Makam:

Originally posted by vee-kay:

No, I am Indian (the Asian kind of Indian, LOL). But I love world history and mythology, which is why I love the AC games, and can appreciate Ubisoft's incredible research efforts while making them.

That's even more fascinating, a non greek guy knowing so much as a greek one like me.
Your award is totally worth it!

I also agree about Ubi, they've done an excellent work.

Oh, you gave me an award?! Wow, thank you so much, my new best friend! :)

Seriously though, games like these inspire us to learn more about world cultures and history.
Since my childhood I have been fascinated with mythologies from around the world, so I am happy that gaming studios like Ubisoft are taking the extra efforts to bring those myths and legends into virtual life so we can play and enjoy them.

I know hardcore AC fans are upset that Ubi is deviating from traditional AC formula, but I feel there are already stealth, climbing and fighting games (like Dishonored, Shadow of Mordor, Tomb Raider, Batman Arkham series, etc.), but Ubisoft is only one making such open-world history-mythology games (closest comparison would be Witcher and God of War series; Witcher is not history game, but it draws inspiration from several historical stories and characters, and its splendid music and lore are culturally motivated too).

[Wafflesaurus Supreme]

Originally posted by vee-kay:

You still don't understand.

The "empty weapon slot" you spotted, is actually the secondary/alternate weapon slot. You can switch between primary and secondary weapons at any time, and also carry an off-hand weapon if your primary or secondary weapons are one-handed weapons. Stats for weapons you equipped in primary and secondary slots are active, and unequipped weapons' stats won't be active.

You can equip weapons from 9 types: sword, spear, staff, dagger, bow, heavy bladed, heavy blunt.

So that's 3 weapons you can carry at all times (including the bow).

But your character still uses only 2 hands, not three (LOL)!
If wielding a 2H (2Handed) weapon (e.g., Poseidon's Trident), both hands will be occupied, otherwise you can use 2 1H (1handed weapons) for dual-wield melee combat.

See the picture of Kassandra wielding a 2H weapon here:
https://gamewith.net/assassins-creed-odyssey/article/show/684

Edit: the primary and secondary weapons slots are useful: e.g., suppose you prefer fighting animals with a Spear and use a sword against soldiers, this allows you to swap between those weapons as the situation arises. You can also keep one of the slots empty, so as to easily swap to unarmed combat. You should do this when fighting a mercenary that you want to recruit. You can rough them up with the weapon, but finish them off with your fist, so it's a knockout and then recruit them.

I understand. I just think it's dumb to be granted stats for items you don't have actively equipped, especially when there is a separate mechanic to swap between weapon sets.

[vee-kay]

Originally posted by Wafflesaurus Supreme:

Originally posted by vee-kay:

You still don't understand.

The "empty weapon slot" you spotted, is actually the secondary/alternate weapon slot. You can switch between primary and secondary weapons at any time, and also carry an off-hand weapon if your primary or secondary weapons are one-handed weapons. Stats for weapons you equipped in primary and secondary slots are active, and unequipped weapons' stats won't be active.

You can equip weapons from 9 types: sword, spear, staff, dagger, bow, heavy bladed, heavy blunt.

So that's 3 weapons you can carry at all times (including the bow).

But your character still uses only 2 hands, not three (LOL)!
If wielding a 2H (2Handed) weapon (e.g., Poseidon's Trident), both hands will be occupied, otherwise you can use 2 1H (1handed weapons) for dual-wield melee combat.

See the picture of Kassandra wielding a 2H weapon here:
https://gamewith.net/assassins-creed-odyssey/article/show/684

Edit: the primary and secondary weapons slots are useful: e.g., suppose you prefer fighting animals with a Spear and use a sword against soldiers, this allows you to swap between those weapons as the situation arises. You can also keep one of the slots empty, so as to easily swap to unarmed combat. You should do this when fighting a mercenary that you want to recruit. You can rough them up with the weapon, but finish them off with your fist, so it's a knockout and then recruit them.

I understand. I just think it's dumb to be granted stats for items you don't have actively equipped, especially when there is a separate mechanic to swap between weapon sets.

By that same logic, the player character carries a ton of weapons and items in their inventory, but none of that is visible on the player character, not even as a backpack or waist pouch (even if so many weapons and items could magically fit into a single bag or pouch).

So, according to you, almost all games should remove player inventory from the game (since almost all games do not show the inventory items on the player character), right? Only whatever is equipped and visible should allow to be used, right? This means even if a player wants to change some outfit, they should first undress and then drop the unequipped outfit item (because there should be no inventory to hold the unequipped stuff), before wearing the new outfit item (but hey, where did that new outfit item magically appear from, if the player did not equip it already), right?

Do you see where I am going with all this sarcasm?

'tis a game, and a nice one at that, so just enjoy it please.
Let's leave the heavy thinking to the developers.

[Wafflesaurus Supreme]

Originally posted by vee-kay:

Originally posted by Wafflesaurus Supreme:

I understand. I just think it's dumb to be granted stats for items you don't have actively equipped, especially when there is a separate mechanic to swap between weapon sets.

By that same logic, the player character carries a ton of weapons and items in their inventory, but none of that is visible on the player character, not even as a backpack or waist pouch (even if so many weapons and items could magically fit into a single bag or pouch).

So, according to you, almost all games should remove player inventory from the game (since almost all games do not show the inventory items on the player character), right? Only whatever is equipped and visible should allow to be used, right? This means even if a player wants to change some outfit, they should first undress and then drop the unequipped outfit item (because there should be no inventory to hold the unequipped stuff), before wearing the new outfit item (but hey, where did that new outfit item magically appear from, if the player did not equip it already), right?

Do you see where I am going with all this sarcasm?

'tis a game, and a nice one at that, so just enjoy it please.
Let's leave the heavy thinking to the developers.

You're putting meaningless words in someone's mouth, because you've failed to properly follow the logic. Leave the heavy thinking to others.

[Occupy Mars]

Originally posted by Wafflesaurus Supreme:

Leave the heavy thinking to others.

To recap...

OP posts that after nearly 300 hours they failed to understand some of this game's features.

Someone tries to build on that discovery to increase the OP's gaming experience.

OP snaps at them.

[c Z p]

Originally posted by vee-kay:

That's because it isn't a spear, it is a half-spear, and it's historically accurate. While a full spear or javelin or pike was meant as an infantry offense (made famous by the "phalanx" shields-spears-wall formation, in the 300 "This is Sparta!" movie series) and defense (spears were semi-planted on the ground, pointed against cavalry; nothing else used to deter a charge of thundering war-horses; African (esp. Masai) tribals have used this ancient technique to even hunt lions that they entice into a charge/jump into the planted spear).

A half-spear (called a "doru" in Greek military, is similar to the half-pike "spotoon" used in European military) is easy to carry and equip, and it's meant for quick thrusts and slashes to keep enemy at bay, and as an invaluable off-hand weapon, while the primary weapon was a longer thicker curved sword ("kopis", means "chopper" in Greek language) or shorter half sword ("xiphos"). The doru also had a thicker pointed knob at the other end (opposite end to the sharp pointed edged blade tip) which was used to stun opponents and finish off downed enemies, or as a pointed mace if the main spear-head was broken.

send link pls

[vee-kay]

Originally posted by c Z p:

Originally posted by vee-kay:

That's because it isn't a spear, it is a half-spear, and it's historically accurate. While a full spear or javelin or pike was meant as an infantry offense (made famous by the "phalanx" shields-spears-wall formation, in the 300 "This is Sparta!" movie series) and defense (spears were semi-planted on the ground, pointed against cavalry; nothing else used to deter a charge of thundering war-horses; African (esp. Masai) tribals have used this ancient technique to even hunt lions that they entice into a charge/jump into the planted spear).

A half-spear (called a "doru" in Greek military, is similar to the half-pike "spotoon" used in European military) is easy to carry and equip, and it's meant for quick thrusts and slashes to keep enemy at bay, and as an invaluable off-hand weapon, while the primary weapon was a longer thicker curved sword ("kopis", means "chopper" in Greek language) or shorter half sword ("xiphos"). The doru also had a thicker pointed knob at the other end (opposite end to the sharp pointed edged blade tip) which was used to stun opponents and finish off downed enemies, or as a pointed mace if the main spear-head was broken.

send link pls

Google for "doru", "kopis" and "xiphos".