I don't know how to start a topic, so frogive me if this is niot the correst place. I'm new to this forum stuff. I have played several marathon games of EWoM, and I have a IMHO well thought out suggestion for FROGBOY, the DEVELOPERS, etc re: fixing the tactical combat problem:
Tactical Battles
Current system uses the ‘combat speed’ of the unit to determine its APs allotment. One side acts, then the other. Repeat until only one side remains on tactical field. Side that acts first has immense advantage.
First change: Determine APs based on the unit’s movement. Higher movement = more APs.
Now use the units ‘combat speed’ and change it to ‘initiative.’ (Actually, can leave the ‘label’ alone if you want…just change its function to initiative in the tac screen)
Finally, change the combat acting queue to be unit specific, not ‘side’ specific. Now assign every unit (of both sides) a place in the combat acting queue. Ties are decided in favor of the unit currently having more APs.
Each unit now is given commands when its ‘turn to act’ comes up in the combat acting queue. When the last unit in the current queue ‘acts,’ the round is over. All units (except those ‘frozen, etc.) are now assigned a fresh set of APs to use. The number of APs is based on their respective current initiative. The PC now assigns all units a place in the next ‘combat acting queue. Rinse, repeat.
Initiative per unit – not side. Action points refer to how much a unit can do (already in game). Initiative refers to when it can expend its APs.
This, all by itself, would remove the horrible advantage given to whichever “side” ‘moves (uses all its action points) first.
Definitions of words/concepts:
APs = action points.
Act = unit uses its APs to move/attack/fortify/cast. (User may now give it commands)
Initiative = units current ‘combat speed’ (as in current code)
Round = completing one combat action queue.
Combat action queue = the order/ sequence in which each unit of either side is assigned to act. Each unit ‘acts when its turn comes up in the combat action queue.
Initiative = determines where in the ‘combat action queue’ each unit is placed: highest initiative first, lowest initiative last, etc. Ties in the sequence are resolved in favor of unit with more APs, and if APs are =, then a random roll.
Immediate commands: (unit expends its APs immediately)
Move, melee, volley, cast, fortify.
Next design steps:
ALL UNITS: Reduce the strength of units that have zero AP’s remaining. (say 10%?) Defenders should have an advantage, just not the all or nothing of the current system.
ARCHERS: Redesign archers so that as range increases, the attack strength of the volley decreases.
Create various types of bows with various strengths and ranges. Give archers a sight range increase if on higher ground then their target.
CONDITIONAL COMMANDS:
“Round” refers to when all units, both sides have, as permitted by each unit’s initiative, either expend their APs obeying an immediate command or have been given conditional commands.
Immediate commands: (expends units APs immediately)
Move, melee, volley, cast, fortify. (Already in game)
Conditional commands are assigned to units so that they don’t use their APs immediately. The APs are stored in the unit (for the duration of current round) and used to act (implement/do) the conditional commands currently given the unit. Unit waits and responds to actions of enemy units. APs are not, however, accumulated from one round to the next. Once the round is over (all units of all sides have acted), any unused APs are gone. The unit used its time doing the conditional command. It may have acted in response to enemy actions, or it may have waited for an opportunity that did not happen.
Suggested conditional commands: Once unit expends its APs, it will only defend.
Close and Melee = engage if enemy approaches within x (trigger) distance. X is assigned per unit, 1,2,3,4, as part of conditional command. When triggered, the unit immediately moves towards E and melee attacks. ((so, some units with an enhanced ‘counterattck’ would just defend, while units with enhanced attack strength would move towards E and attempt to attack first.))
Volley engage = archers volley at E if it gets within x distance. X may be assigned per unit, 1,2,3,4,5.
Counter volley = archers volley against archer unit that just attacked it.
MAGIC USERS: Redesign MU (magic users) so that as spell levels increase, so does the related casting times. Also, the number of levels the caster is above the actual spell being cast reduces casting time of that spell. The following is illustrative. I really don’t know what percentages, etc. would be effective. However, consider the pace of the battle given the above ‘round’ system… Developers decide percentage, AP cost, etc… [or allow user to modify these in a game customize input page.]
Level 1 MU casts level 1 spell = uses 100% of base cast time.
Level 2 MU casts level 1 spell = uses 90% of base cast time.
Level 10 MU casts level 1 spell= use 10% of base cast time.
Level 10 MU casts level 5 spell= use 50% of base cast time.
Each 10% of MU time consumes an AP. So, some spells take a long time to cast – perhaps the MU will stand and work on casting a powerful spell while the troops go through several rounds of movement. Interesting?
Thank you Frogboy, et al for listening!
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