Gimmie
Boomerangs
Swords, on just the normal swing, ARE both point damage and AoE, since they have a hitbox that can hit multiple enemies.
As for boomerangs... yes plz. Although reworking charges would be a long and hard process that would leave some(many) people very upset.
'Sealed lines shouldn't shoot giant holo-swords.'
-1, thumbs down, boot to the head, a fail on your CV, a flag, a report and an injunction filed against you.
I agree with the -1 to the sealed suggestion. Though it's worth looking at autos thread.
Though I like the thought of boomerangs as sword charges, I was thinking guns initially. Doesn't reload, but can only be fired once with large intervals between. Makes a good sidearm, when it comes back, arc it through a crowd to spread a status, go back to slashing, repeat when it's back again. Fills in that close-range-gun gap that makes people suggest shotguns and lets swordies spread statuses. Though having it as a charge might be more useful, so long as the boomerang stays out for long enough a time to make it worth the wait.
Allow me to reiterate:
YES!
Okay, do this: Make swords be melee with every charge attack, though keep them interesting. (With the exception of the Spur line because this is a core mechanic of theirs.) What I mean by this is the explosions of Brandishes shouldn't reach so far and Sealed lines shouldn't shoot giant holo-swords. (No, I do not agree that swords should be a mix of point damage and AoE like Nick said.) (More on this topic another day.)
Then, Boomerangs should replace them! Boomerangs, while they can be swung like a sword, are thrown on the charged attacks. After going as far as they can, they head back. Until then, you may not switch weapons. When heading back, they travel through and damage enemies in its path. Some boomerangs head back as soon as they hit somethings, and others will travel through a few enemies first. There would be multiple variations. Some would do more or less damage for the throw or the melee, so you may chose which you prefer.
Since this isn't my thread, I won't go more in depth.