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Sword Parrying

First of all, I'm not saying to bring back the old feature of sword blocking. I think the shield is good for that purpose.

What I want with this idea is to give the sword a specific function in combat. Right now, I see many Java players prefer axes for combat, because they do a lot more damage and can stun shields. Swords, while they may be faster and have a sweep attack, are just not strong enough. So, while the obvious solution would be to make the sword stronger, I want to take a different approach.

I think the axe should stay as a great offensive weapon, and the sword should become a great defensive weapon. It already has defensive qualities: the sword has the sweep attack to knock multiple entities away, it is faster than the axe, and it has a longer reach (in the combat tests). To really solidify the sword as a defensive weapon, I think we should give it a new ability: parrying. I'm thinking that with a timed right-click, you'll stop an attack's damage and knockback. This is similar to how swords can be used in real life, and I think it will work well in Minecraft, too.

The first comment I'm expecting is: "But how will that work with shields? You would not be able to use a shield." However, my thought is that if you have a shield and a sword in your hands, the shield will be prioritized.

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  • 2
    Registered User commented
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    How about simply, if you strike a projectile with your sword, it will be deflected, like with ghast fireballs, though if it isn't a ghast fireball, it won't go straight back, just be moved out of the path on the player. It would have a similar function with melee attacks, if you swing at the right time it will parry the attack, knocking it aside.

    I can already hear someone saying "this is too overpowered," however, if your opponent uses a fast weapon like a hoe or multiple primed crossbows, the parrying will be rendered useless by the attack cooldown.

    Also, you would have to be looking at the projectile or weapon when you swing, and have to time it right, it would be very difficult to pull off.

  • 2
    Registered User commented
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    This is something I miss from the early days of Minecraft as a long-term player. To elaborate on what you said; I think blocking with a sword should reduce damage from swords, axes, and mobs, however, they can not resist arrows (unless the arrow hits the sword), resist explosion damage, and have a weak knockback resistance when compared to shields. Shields should still have a place but it’s your choice not to have one. You could free up your other hand for snowballs or splash points this, in turn, adds more strategy to combat!

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    Maybe if you block hit with a sword at just the right time, it would execute a parry? For really any parrying system to work, though, we would need brief windup animations, so that the player can anticipate when their foe will launch an attack. It would have to be short enough so that it's possible to miss the timing, but long enough to be noticeable.

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    As much as I want the sword parrying to be re added into the new Minecraft Combat system with a different use, I think it may defeat the purpose to use a shield to begin with. Instead, what I suggest is that sword blocking when hit will disable the sword from blocking a second time for 8 seconds by only using a sword or a axe, even without having to charge it to 200% This way, Swords blocking can be of good use, while still making shields better. If the implement of sword parrying will not be added into the game, at least give us the animation, because it was meme material.

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    Yea like in morthau...tho this can be uneffectuvei aginst projectiles

  • 0
    Registered User commented
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    i love the idea and i think it would be cool to reflect arrows with parrying :)