tl;dr: Sub-weapons were a crucial part of builds in earlier stages of BDO, but after the Awakening update and especially with newer classes, they start to become pointless accessories that often have little to no lore connections to the class or even mechanical use. Many classes don't use their sub-weapon at all, and in some classes you can't even see it. Another issue is imo that sub-weapons disappear in awakening stance, which makes little sense for most classes, especially given that they contribute to awakening AP and DP. With this in mind, I suggest that some sub-weapons become more integral to skill effects and/or flavour, and visible in awakening stance when appropriate (like Sorc's Talisman).

A more detailed breakdown of sub-weapons follows (note that I only play a handful of classes, so details about some classes may not be fully accurate).

Shields

Used by 3 classes (4 if we include the Quoratum shield), shields are the most important and probably "original" sub-weapon. Actually integrated in class design, several skills are based on shields.

- Nova: If anything, the Quoratum feels more like Nova's "main" weapon, and her morning star feels secondary.

- Valkyrie: There is a problem with Valkyrie's shield. In awakening, she gains a new shield that is different from her base shield, without any explanation. Does her sub-weapon shield magically transform? Is it part of the Lancia? It's literally a plothole and she's the only class to gain a new awakening sub-weapon.

Daggers/Knives/Swords

Theoretically a lot of potential here, but in practice half of the daggers are pointless.

- Ranger: Only Ranger makes good use of the dagger, using it in both succession and awakening stances. It's actually a fantastic idea and I wish more classes would actually use their sub-weapon in awakening.

- Hashashin: Uses his haladie in a couple of skills, but that's about it.

- Lahn: I don't have experience with Lahn, but I think one or two of her skills use her sword?

- Witchards: Holding a knife is a complete filler, they only ever use it in one skill, which has now been replaced by the Magnus skill, and more importantly it occupies their "main" hand (assuming most players are right-handed), forcing witchards to awkwardly use their staves with their left hand. Also, their daggers are awkwardly used in casting, making them look like ceremonial daggers (which is fine, but they are presented as normal daggers)? No lore or mechanical explanation whatsoever.

- Maegu: Her knife is a complete joke, (unless I'm missing something) you can't even see it!

Talismans/Vambraces

Explicit accessories with no mechnical or lore function. It's partly understandable bc Sage, Sorc, Mystic, and Striker use unarmed (magical) fighting style, which is super cool. So it makes sense that their sub-weapons have less defined functions because they only need their fists and energy. But at least give us a lore explanation about what the talismans and vambraces do? (e.g. amplify magic powers or give defenses).

- Sorceress: The only positive thing about Sorc's talisman is that it's visible in awakening stance (to my knowledge, she and Ranger being the only ones to do this).

- Sage: It's really weird that the talisman just magically vanishes when swapping to awakening stance, because it isn't attached to the kyve, nor does it interfere visually or thematically in the way a shield does with a greatsword. It actually makes a lot of sense to continue wearing the talisman when holding the kibelius.

- Striker/Mystic: It's weird that the vambraces disappear in awakening stance, because they are part of their outfit/gear.

Ornaments/Trinkets

Okay, these are also explicit accessories but also really silly. They are literally just key chains hanging from a weapon. How would a key chain give you AP and DP?! I really feel that these sub-"weapons" need to be reworked altogether into something more meaningful.

- Drakania: Her shard is a prime example of how it should be done. In practice, it's a fancy trinket/dagger/prop attached to her sword, but it actually has a lore explanation, can be dettached, and has some functions, like filling her ion meter. This is how ornamental sub-"weapons" should be handled.

Horn Bows

Cool sub-weapons that actually complement the playstyle by giving ranged options. However, I have heard from Musa/Maehwa players that bow skills have been nerfed/deleted over time, to the point that people don't really use them anymore. Still, Horn Bows are good examples of what sub-weapons should be like.

Kunai/Shurikens

Actually cool sub-weapons, unique, lore and function, as well several skills that use them. What is more, Kunoichi and Ninja can choose which one to wield. More options like this please (in future classes)!

Ra'ghon/Vitclari/Mareca

Cool and deep lore about these sub-weapons, and they are used in a few skills. More sub-weapons like this please! They should also be visible in awakening stance.

- Corsair: In practice, the Mareca is an ugly CD player resting on Corsair's thigh, but at least there is lore attached to it and skills are named after it.

Do Stave

Okay, first of all, this seems mistranslated. AFAIK a stave is a building material. They probably mean staff. Not only is the do stave pointless and has no lore connection to Woosa, it also makes her look like a granny with her walking stick! Maegu and Woosa's sub-weapons were a complete miss.

Solid post I never knew I needed until I read what it was about. +1 gj op. 

Yeah you don't see like half of the items on your character.... and? This is a videogame.

Having everything visible on a character is a legit thing to ask, on the otherhand it would have insignificant impact on the game while requiring money to implement, also remember their engine is haxed together, while some thing would be normally trivial to add, it's not so trivial when they have a pile of spaghetti.

As for the item names, if they are releasing classes for no reason in bulk, then they quickly run out of ideas. If we would have half the classes we have, they could provide better quality, but PA focus on quantity rather than on the quality. Nowdays classes are mass produced with low effort for quick bucks.

Glad this was insightful! Lore is really important for BDO devs and part of the community.

Just dont make BIS a green item pls?