Melee Capability for the DH Still a Possibility

[The Rockman]

Ok, First of all the barb has a ton of possible ranged attacks
Leap Attack
Ground Stomp
Ancient Spear
Seismic Slam
Weapon Throw
Earthquake (maybe, we heard much about it)


Leaping, Slaming, Throwing, the Barb is going to have a lot of ranged and AoE Damage.

Only Weapon Throw and Ancient Spear are ranged in that list. The rest are PBAOE or move and attack.

As for DH melee theres nothing but that she can hold a shield and a 1 hander ATM oh and one PBAOE in the circle of knives skill.

[konfeta]

We don't know what is the range on Earthquake is to relegate is at a PBAOE, and I don't think you actually payed attention to any videos that features Shockwave.

[ToothAndClaw]

I wouldn't mind if there weren't any outright melee-specific active skills, seems the DH will have skills that will work supplementary anyways such as is imaginable for a melee wizard or witch doctor. The melee capability could very well be expressed in a passive-zon-esque manner and maybe an inherent lower threshold for increased attack speed or something.

[raveharu]

DH will have some melee skills but he/she is more attune as a range attacker.

I'm more concerned about her range than melee skills. If you want melee go play a Monk or BOBO.

[Dacar92]

I'm more concerned about her range than melee skills. If you want melee go play a Monk or BOBO.

I kind of agree with this. I would like to see some difference between characters, not just a skill set for each but a difference in play style too. Don't get me wrong. The Amazon javelin builds are fun in D2, just as the bow builds are. But you could also build a crossbow Barb just as easily and kill hell Baal. I think I like the idea of different classes having different allowable weapons to choose from.