is it normal for a mercenary to be in a situation where their only option is their own two fist?

Actually, about that, heavies should either have swords/axes, or just knock people the fuq out. Super strength... and all it's good for is carrying heavy weapons?

Watch your ammo an stop trying to get nova knives on your suit, because your too irresponsible to watch your ammo on two of your weapons- buy a nano hive problem solved!

You could have a separate slot, though, you would still have to charge it and their would no longer be the cool lunge aim assist hit, that instant melee gets.

More trouble then it is worth. Rather smack the ISK out of people.

a non-nova knife would basically just be a different graphic for melee. i like the idea; i think the art department is doing other things.

later down the line introducing different types of knives (made out of different materials) would be cool. i think it should be a small percentage bump to melee damage and that's about it, and they should not require PG or CPU, just a slot and an isk value (high quality hardened materials required to pierce shield/armor justifies isk value) to make you have to think about whether to fit or not to fit and whether you want the expensive diamond edge that does more damage or a cheaper version.

I'm not sure if this would be balanced when it comes to slot layouts. The knives use to come standard during the replication-E3 builds in closed beta, but CCP decided to not make them standard anymore and figured it would be ok to make them separate side arm weapons like the SMG or Pistols. Besides, they are not technically simple. Just like the rest of the weapons, they are complex by technological design by virtue of the fact that they utilize a charge to pierce through heavy armor and take up CPU and PG at the same time. If they were simple weapons, they would just be pieces of cheap metal with plastic handles and don't do much damage compared to the nova knives.

I'm not sure if this would be balanced when it comes to slot layouts. The knives use to come standard during the replication-E3 builds in closed beta, but CCP decided to not make them standard anymore and figured it would be ok to make them separate side arm weapons like the SMG or Pistols. Besides, they are not technically simple. Just like the rest of the weapons, they are complex by technological design by virtue of the fact that they utilize a charge to pierce through heavy armor and take up CPU and PG at the same time. If they were simple weapons, they would just be pieces of cheap metal with plastic handles and don't do much damage compared to the nova knives.

Yes, but with new varieties coming out, this would mean everyone would have different melee attacks.

Had a match today where a guy tried to run me over, but I ran behind a barrier. When he hit it, he jumped out and used the momentum to leap over it and ohk my with a nova knife. It was the coolest thing I have seen in weeks.