[IDEA] Whip-Type Weapons / "Ranged" Melee Attacks

Functionality Explanation:

When a basic rope whip is wielded, all equipped melee skill gems become a ranged attack. However, it does not change the keywords to benefit from ranged attack passives.

For example: when Glacial Hammer is equipped, it can be used at a range towards the targeted enemy. This also works for AoE Melee skill gems as well.

For example: When Ice Crash is equipped, you can now target an area and use it at ranged.

The behavior of the whip works like "Caustic Arrow", where you can assign the shot to land on a specific location and do damage. But instead of an arrow, it's a melee skill gem that will be used in that area.

Whips can also be dual wielded in addition, increasing/decreasing stats futher.


Types of Whips

Rope Whips
The standard "30m Weapon Range" whip. Can use Single Target or AoE Melee Skills at a longer range then normal at no penalty.

Iron Ball (Cannot Dual, Counts as 2-Handed)
These whips give 20% more Area Damage at the cost of reducing attack speed by 10%.

Oiled Whips
These whips give 15% more attack speed at the cost of reducing physical damage by 10%.

Silk Whips
These whips give 20% elemental weapon damage, at the cost of 10% physical damage.

Chain Whips
These whips give 10% more physical damage, and 5% less Attack Speed.


Current Skill Gems Available To Use:

Ancestral Protector
Ancestral Warchief
Cleave
Dominating Blow
Double Strike
Dual Strike
Earthquake
Elemental Hit
Flicker Strike
Frenzy
Frost Blades
Glacial Hammer
Ground Slam
Heavy Strike
Ice Crash
Infernal Blow
Lacerate
Lead Slam
Lightning Strike
Molten Strike
Puncture
Reave
Reckoning
Riposite
Static Strike
Sunder
Sweep
Vengeance
Vigilant Strike
Viper Strike
Whirling Blades
Wild Strike


No Cyclone Skill Gem / Behavior:

Currently as it stands, Cyclone is the only melee skill Gem I don't see working. As you physically spin around from place to place. The behavior is way to specific for whips to work in tandem with this skill gem, for now.



Support Gems:

The Support Gems usable are just like any other melee weapon. It benefits from all melee related gems like normal. However, it will not benefit from any ranged or projectile support gems unless specific requirements are met by the Skill Gems used, or by other unique means.


Personal Words

This idea will be worked on and changes will be made. All statistics and numeric values are not finalized and is prone to change. Please keep that in mind, as I work on it little by little. Criticism is always appreciated, as I work to maybe one day make it a reality if the community finds it a valuable idea. If not, then I will strive to make improvements with the help of the community. Thank you for your understanding.

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Image Credits:
(C) 2012 Wizards of The Coast
Author: Jason Chao 2011
Edit by PoE Forum user "Raysuko" / Photoshop