To make it a bit more realistic, you can make it so that players must buy a specific upgrade for their swords that allow their swords to deflect fireballs, or just make it such that only swords that are stone swords and better can deflect the fireballs. After all, wood isn't exactly something that would be durable against fires.
Absolutely great idea! I was simply thinking of allowing any and all items to deflect fireballs, but making so that only swords with a specific upgrade can deflect them is an idea I'll have to implement. Can't decide if it should be an in-match upgrade or a perma upgrade.
Though, fireballs will be used a bit later in the story.
Which brought me to thinking, should the swords have durability? Probably yes. The fact that swords can break, may actually add something to the realism and fun to the novel. For example, when someone's sword breaks and they had to continue fighting while using tools(E.g. a pickaxe), it would be a bit interesting to see how that plays out.
Yup, you're absolutely right. Increasing the tension by a sword breaking mid-fight and having no choice, but to use a tool is a great idea.
Although it is true that they may lose their limbs, it can be useful to escape. about the consequences, after a few matches they'll probably get used to the pain so they can just eat some gapples.
After reading this paragraph, I've decided that the hit point system (hearts, in Minecraft) is not a hassle I'm interested in dealing with.
The players will slowly heal through their injuries (just like the small bit of consistent regeneration in bedwars). For example - a light bruise will be healed in a few seconds, similar to losing half a heart. But worse injuries, like losing a limb, is only healed after a few minutes, similar to losing most of your hearts in bedwars.
Gapples tremendously increase the natural healing speed for for 10 seconds, while giving you a temporary 'ethereal limb replacement'.
On another thought, would shields exist? If you want to add some more fighting styles, then probably shields should exist as it would add more elements to hand-to-hand combat.
Yes, they do, but I'm thinking of locking them behind a permanent upgrade.
By the way, for the process of bridging, or using blocks to fight, shouldn't you integrate sci-fi stuff for that? I think it would be good. Although, using magic to place blocks will not be a bad thing too.
An example of sci-fi block building: the players are given a special system that can be used for a lot of things. It can have the buildings function, compass function, inventory functions, and so on. For the buildings function, if the player choose the building function, maybe a 'block' symbol appears at their main hand, and their vision are enhanced with tactical information on where the building materials can be placed.
When switching to equipping something like a sword, the light fades, and a [wooden/stone/iron/diamond] sword materializes in their main hand.
Just an Idea tho
I'm thinking of making the block placing, as your idea states, a product of a sci-fi implant. Either in their brain or only in their eyes.
On command, you can view your inventory, where you can equip items. But due to the instantly available and non-movement-restricting nature of it, there would be no need for a hotbar in the traditional sense.
At all times, just like in Hypixel's bedwars, you are able to see the sidebar, where the other team's information is.
On the note of team information, the chat. In the novel, it doesn't exist. Only a kill and bed destruction log exists, while speaking is similar to a proximity voice chat mod.