@AlSoKnown, here's a draft "attack/melee item" animation that can apply to sword/staff/wand.
Is this along the lines of what you mean? A caveat is I'm staying in 16x24 frame, like all other anims.
Yes, thanks. It may be possible to move weapon even further back in a 'wind-up' frame, but that is minor detail, the basic idea is exactly what I suggested.