Now don't get me wrong - I love this game to bits. However, I feel it's a bit of a shame that development had to be so rushed and "chopping block", since there are a lot of things that could be tweaked slightly to improve the game a lot.

One of these things is combat, particularly melee combat. Combat takes up much of the game whether you like it or not, but in the end it all boils down to 6 different weapons, really (and that's being generous - what's the difference between a Greatsword and Battleaxe again..?). However, some existing weapons have shown that you can give certain weapon classes in-built 'enchantments' - take, for example,


These weapons can all be enchanted with a magical effect in addition to these inherent ones. Now think about this - why couldn't these kind of effects be present on all weapons? Or all weapons of a particular material? The effect doesn't necessarily need to be shown in the description box; it could be hidden, and you would only find the effect out through use in battle. Effects could include things like curved blade swords being more effective against foes in light armor, while doing slightly less damage against foes in heavy armor - attributes that the real life version would show.

Also, instead of limiting the weapon types to simply Sword/Axe/Mace, and then again with 2H, each current material type could be a weapon type of its own (with its own strengths/weaknesses), and with said weapon available in all the different materials. These different weapon types would still fall under the overarching categories of sword/axe/mace with respect to things like swing speed and perk effects, but each weapon subcategory could have unique effects of its own.

Confused? Thought so - I'm not very good at explaining things. But have a look at the following pics that I've whipped up for an example of what I mean:

-----
Falchion - a curved, single bladed sword (in real life adapted by some Crusaders in the early Middle Ages when they saw the effectiveness of the saracen scimitars).
In game - Falchion weapons do +10% damage against enemies when striking Light Armor or clothes, but -10% damage when striking Heavy Armor.

• Iron Falchion - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/IronFalchion.jpg
  
• Steel Falchion - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/SteelFalchion.jpg
  
• Moonstone Falchion - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/MoonstoneFalchion.jpg

-----
Broadsword - a favourite of the Nords as well as the long extinct Dwemer, this strong, double-edged, functional blade weighs more than other one-handed swords, but packs a slightly bigger punch to boot.
In game - Broadsword weapons inflict an extra +10% damage through blocks and have a slightly higher chance to stagger, but weigh more than other 1H swords and use up more stamina for power attacks.

• Steel Broadsword - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/SteelBroadsword.jpg
  
• Orichalcum Broadsword - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/OrichalcumBroadsword.jpg
  
• Malachite Broadsword - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/MalachiteBroadsword.jpg

-----
Shortsword - nimble, light, yet still very deadly, the shortsword is a versatile weapon and can be useful in many situations. It is effective at striking at an enemy's weak points, but has questionable effectiveness against heavily armored foes, and may lose out against larger weapons due to its limited reach.
In game - Shortsword weapons have a +25% chance to critical hit and are lighter than other 1H and swords and therefore use less stamina for power attacks. However, they have a slightly shorter reach than other swords, and do -10% damage when striking against Heavy Armor.

• Steel Shortsword - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/CustomSword1.jpg

-----
Leaf Sword - with a wide yet lightweight design, the leaf sword combines the power of thrusting and slashing in well-rounded package.
In game: does +10% critical damage, and blocking with this weapon is 5% more effective.

• Steel Leaf Sword - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/SteelLeafSword.jpg
  
• Ebony Leaf Sword - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/EbonyGladius.jpg

-----

If anyone does have anything to comment on - the idea, the swords, whatever, please let me know.


What do you guys think of this idea? Any other suggestions for weapons that I should whip up and effects we could give them? I'm on the PS3 so I have no access to mods, but I have hope that now that the creation kit is out, some budding modder will see the potential already in the code and increase the skyrim armory for you PC players!

Good idea. Add another line of specification to the creation process. Right now it is:

Material >>> Weapon type

Turn it into:

Material >>> Weapon type >>> Style

I would love to run around with an ebony flail.

Yeah that's exactly my point - the weapon pool can be multiplied manyfold over by doing something like this. The crazy thing is that there are already examples in-game where these type of weapon 'specialities' are done, and I see no reason why they couldn't have spent another couple of days on weapons and increased variety!

They did it in Morrowind, and somewhat in Oblivion (but not as much). Daedric katana looked SO much better than daedric longsword in Morrowind, I wish Skyrim had the same options.

Hmm not as many responses as I was hoping for. This board seems to give me that feeling a lot.. you'd think the game maker's own forums would be more active.

Anyway, I've been working on a couple of other ones:

-----
Leaf Sword - with a wide yet lightweight design, the leaf sword combines the power of thrusting and slashing in well-rounded package.
In game: does +10% critical damage, and blocking with this weapon is 5% more effective.

• Steel Leaf Sword - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/SteelLeafSword.jpg
  
• Ebony Leaf Sword - http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq35/Legacy_Raider/Skyrim%20Custom%20Weapons/EbonyGladius.jpg

If anyone does have anything to comment on - the idea, the swords, whatever, please let me know.

Im all for more weapon diversity, but I think it also needs some new weapon skins along with material types. I wouldnt mind a proper wakazashi or a claymore instead of weapon skins tied to material type like we have now.

out of curiosity, have you seen this mod here? because that's a large part of what you're trying to accomplish
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=2933

Also, that ebony looks a little bit too purple for my tastes
I do like the idea of unique effects to each weapon style though. that would be an awesome addition to the game

Agreed, i would absolutely love new weapons along with varied materials; but without new skins it would feel cheap and not that different.

I would love this. The same theory can be applied to armor and shields as well.

Longbow: Slower movement and aiming, but higher damage. Pierces some armor.
Shortbow: Faster movement and aiming, lower damage.
Crossbow: Can keep one bolt ready without actively aiming (holding the mouse button), Slow reload but high power

Buckler: Fast movement, minimal damage reduction
Kite shield: Normal movement, moderate reduction
Tower shield: Slow movement, high damage reduction (due to sheer size, odds of an enemy arrow hurting the player is about 0, if the player has the deflect arrows perk)

I really miss my claymores and longswords.
These new Greatswords and swords look like they were designed by Blizzard while drunk.