I agree, Its not like the animations arent looking good but it doesnt feel like im actually using my weapon.

I totally agree. This is a major design flaw, if player chooses to play melee it's because he/she prefers brutality over magic, by providing shiny magical animations, you don't satisfy melee players. Please work on fixing that, there's no point carrying a gigantic sword if it's not gonna be used.

Yes this caught my eye as well. Even with magic spells and attacks, the staff or weapon just disappears into thin air and the character punches air. Would it be possible to incorporate casting animations for both melee and magic spells that incorporate the weapon even if the effects overshadow it? Or perhaps using the offhand to cast spells while the mainhand holds the weapon? While I understand the technical difficulties of implementing separate animations for each weapon and its combinations, I've seen fancy skill animations in the alpha videos (especially the different staff and lightning from hands animations) so I understand it is possible once you guys have more time and funding.

I believe fixes/tweaks to animations will promote the longevity of the game as myself and others have been looking for an ARPG where combat is more than just effects just flying out of the character. While I don't expect animations akin to Lost Ark, I believe having the character and weapons being more involved with the casting animations will bring that extra bit of immersion to feel the character you have built up.

Wholeheartedly agree. I would MUCH rather see not overly flashy animations that use the actually equipped gear rather that this weird "physical magic" that just feels way over the top. Once again - it's not that the animations are bad or anything because they are very good. It's just they are not in any way satisfying to a player who would like to focus on melee combat with NO use of magic (for example me)