mqpiffle mqpiffle

LH UI Community Suggestions Thread

LH UI Community Suggestions Thread

Hey folks.  I've got a few suggestions for the UI which I would like to see implemented for LH.  Post your suggestions below, and I'll do my best to add them to the OP.  If you particularly agree or disagree with any of the suggestions, I'll try to add a +/- rating next to each one indicating your opinion on that point.

Link to Darxim's FE UI Suggestions Thread.

Hotkeys / Keybindings

  • [ESC] should take me out of the Kingdom Info screen
  • +3 A shortcut dedicated to moving through idle cities only [jonmdewey]

Main Strategic UI

  • +2 Please provide notification (or option) when non-allied units (no NAP) enter my territory
  • +1 Please show the potential effect (what resources I will gain, type of improvement) of building an improvement on a wild resource when the resource is selected or moused-over
  • +8 Quickslots for strategic spells [Azunai_]
  • +3 Please provide a notification when an enemy casts a spell enhancement (curse) on one of my cities, and also a graphic on the HUD if possible. [abob101]
  • +1 The ability to customize the Empire Tree, especially which cities are displayed (only idle, only continuous producing, etc.) [Snowraven], or show idle cities at the top of the list [jonmdewey]
  • Add or move notifications of destroyed wild resource improvements and outposts to notification bar. [Snowraven]
  • +1 The ability to customize which groupings of notifications are shown [jonmdewey]
  • +1 The option to default notification groups to the collapsed state, and when collapsed show the number of sub-notifications [jonmdewey]
  • +1 Add a notification when a Wildland is cleared, and who cleared it. [jonmdewey]
  • Highlight currently selected city or unit in the Empire Tree [Trojasmic]
  • +1 On the Empire Tree, display an indicator of a unit's remaining movement status [ElanaAhova] and also show moves remaining of unit mouse over [iowausa]
  • +1 More information on unit desertion notification. [ampoliros5]
  • +5 Allow the selection of multiple units, preferably with a dynamic mana cost indicator, when casting strategic spells. [Snowraven]
  • +1 A 'Select All Units' button on the Main UI selected city element to select all currently stationed units in that city.  [Snowraven]
  • Remove the additional brightness from the base ZoC color line (this causes a lot of the colors to wash out and look the same.)
  • +4 Allow for two faction colors on the ZoC, one for the base line and another for the particle glow above it.  This would alleviate a lot of UI issues, especially with many factions in a single game.
  • Allow numbers on the Build info panel to be more than three digits. [Lokitaco]
  • Always show build/train turns remaining on the city HUD even if the name is truncated.
  • Increase the opacity of repetitive construction Icons (Produce Growth, Gildar, Research, Mana) to make them stand out better on the Empire Tree. [schattenjaeger]
  • Please stop telling me that units I have willfully disbanded "deserted". [schattenjaeger]
  • Please stop informing me that resources are in my ZoC when I don't have the necessary tech to exploit them. [schattenjaeger]
  • Enable an option to Raze wild resources after we have begun to exploit them (in the case we have to give up ground and want to deny the enemy resources - if I can't have them, you can't have them either). [schattenjaeger]

Tactical UI

  • +1 Damage potential indicator (bottom right corner of tactical UI when mousing over potential target) needs to update completely, especially when using some spells and abilities.
  • +3 An "Initiative Bucket" indicator, that fills as tactical combat ticks along, which graphically shows how initiative is being determined and affected by various game effects. [Schnorkde]
  • +1 Better highlighting of targets and target areas, including showing unit outlines through obstacles. [Snowraven]
  • Sort the after battle report from top to bottom: Sovereign, Champions by level (high to low), trained units by level (high to low) [sweatyboatman]
  • On the after battle report, in the xp gained indicator, show LEVEL UP! on the right side of the bar and keep it there instead of briefly flashing it, and/or otherwise highlight a unit which has leveled as a result of the battle.
  • +1 When mousing over an enemy unit, show Moves in the unit's info card. [Grogtank]
  • Please correct the error message displayed when certain AoE abilities (such as Rain of Arrows) will not allow you to cast if an ally is within their sphere of influence to say as much, rather than the current notification that it must target an enemy. [schattenjaeger]
  • More spell Quickslots in tactical combat. [schattenjaeger]
  • Please color the unit portaits in the initiative list in red and green for enemy and own units respectively so i can quickly see when the next enemy is getting a turn. [Schnorkde]
  • Make the battlefield unit highlight much stronger when hovering over the unit's portrait on the initiative list. [Schnorkde]
  • Enable keyboard scrolling on tactical map. [schattenjaeger]

General Functionality

  • +1 When a useable item (like a potion or a book) is selected in the trade or shop windows, the Equip button should change to a Use button, the Trade & Equip button should change to Trade & Use, and the Buy & Equip button should change to Buy & Use.
  • +4 Option to remove enchantments on a unit from within the unit's Unit Details screen [Azunai_]
  • +1 While looting items, change the "Equip" button action from auto-equip to instead open the Unit Details > Equipment screen, or at least add another button for that functionality. [Leo in WI]
  • +4 When the city leveling dialog appears, include a button linking to the city details screen [thadianaphena], and/or an option to defer city leveling [Snowraven], and center the city on the screen [jonmdewey]
  • Allow notes or flags to be attached to the game map [Limboldt]
  • +1 In the City List screen, remove (or make it optional to remove [schattenjaeger] the Villages/Towns/Fortesses/Conclaves headers so I can sort the entire list from top to bottom.  The icons next to the city's names are enough.
  • +1 In the City Details screen, please allow me to manipulate build/train queue, show stationed units, and add Build and Train buttons to the interface.
  • Come up with and display a faux-DPS rating (maybe simply Damage * Initiative) for more easily assessing damage output over time. [jonmdewey]
  • Keep a running notification log for the entire game. [sweatyboatman]
  • Larger icons on the hero selection screen [Trojasmic]
  • +1 On the hero recruitment screen, allow the player to view each hero's Unit Details screen prior to making a selection. [Darxim]
  • On the Foreign Relations screen, show how many troops each faction is controlling. [MM77]
  • Add an Equip button the the Trade and Shop screen for movement to the full Equipment screen. [Grogtank]
  • Better implementation of Road Building units; specifically allow for a toggle to auto-road-build on said units [FuzzyGold]
  • +1 Cutscenes...lots of cutscenes. [GFireflyE]
  • Fix keyboard scroll speed [schattenjaeger]

Tool-tips / Mouse-over Functionality

Game Options

  • +1 Add XP slider to the game setup options [StevenAus]
  • +1 Auto-focus on next idle city toggle [magnadrive]
  • Increase the variety of options for seeding things like resources and monsters (IE instead of "Few, Moderate, Abundant", something like "Few, Sub-par, Moderate, Extra, Abundant"). [schattenjaeger]

Sovereign / Faction Creation

Diplomacy

  • +1 Allow me to make counter-proposals when the AI contacts me with a potential trade.
  • +1 Give me more information about the current proposal when the AI contacts me with a potential trade.
  • +2 Allow negotiation for multiple treaties simultaneously [Trojasmic]
  • +3 Allow use of any resources to negotiate for treaties (Why are trade and treaties separated in the first place?)
  • During trade negotiations, allow me to remove an item that is on the table without having to cancel the entire trade and start over. [ampoliros5]
  • When the AI contacts you for any reason, like boasting about research, you should have the option to go to the diplomacy menu and trade with them. [DsRaider]
  • You should be able to easily switch between the Diplomacy screen and the Foreign Relations screen. [DsRaider]

Hiergamenon

  • +2 Keyword search function. [EffBie]
  • +1 List all prerequisites for all techs, spells, and improvements in the descriptions [ampoliros5]
413,658 views 104 replies
Reply #26 Top

Quoting jonmdewey, reply 21

also is there a keyboard shortcut for cycling through idle cities? I'm thinking the equivalent of tab for units only for cities.

This please. I actually liked Civ 5's not letting you continue the turn until all your cities are doing something useful. The button turning yellow isn't helpful when you've got a list to scroll through on Large/Huge maps, especially with how finicky/small the scroll area seems to be.

Reply #27 Top

Tab does select idle cities along with units, but even with the ZZZ, and the popup in the right, I still miss it.

I'd like a toggle switch that "auto focus an idle city", then if there is more than one, tab (or shift+tab whatever it needs) would select the next. In a perfect world soon as I hit "done" on that city it would even find the next idle city with yet another toggle option "auto select idle city". Civ 5 made me really lazy on this but it was really nice to never have it left up to small icons or second guessing. Sometimes you are focused on the fight at hand and just want to click 'end turn' to get that guy running or something, and become oblivious to empire management (lol it's true!).

 

Reply #28 Top

My persoal Interface-Favourites are simple, pretty and effective at the same time.

 

They are not disturbing and good looking, but offer quick, intuitive and complete information in the background or within one click.

 

Good examples would be Master of Magic, Kohan, Warlock: Master of the Arcane and Civilization V.

Reply #29 Top

+1 to this

Quickslots for strategic spells (basically the same as in tactical maps, but for frequently used spells such as lower/raise land, tremor, freeze, pillar of flame etc.) [Azunai_]

Reply #30 Top

Updated.  Keep em rollin'!!

Reply #31 Top

What exactly is the capital city icon?  I would be curious to see it in a higher resolution...

Reply #33 Top

Have Previous/Next city buttons on the City HUD at all times, not just in the Build/Train windows.

Reply #34 Top

On the top left of the main screen is a list of units/stacks. Method to quickly see if stack has movement left in current turn, without moving to actual unit, and clicking. This could be a tiny icon added to the unit/stack box on top left of screen. Red for no movement, green for full movement, yellow for partial movement. (or does yellow mean speed up? <jk)

 

EDIT:  almost forgot, how about a way, when city growth (pick a free upgrade building) to make the pop up window translucent so you can see whats under it?  Prefer previous idea posted above that this popup window allow either 1) put off acting on it until later in turn, 2) allow immediate access to appropriate city screen and then, upon signal from user, return to pop-up screen to choose the building. 

Reply #35 Top

When a unit deserts and the player clicks on the notification, jump to the location of the desertion and tell what kind of unit it was!!!

 

Reply #36 Top

great thread guys... I've noted a bunch of these and if we have time we will look into getting some of them in there ;)

Reply #37 Top

Thanks Toby.  I feel if y'all can get the UI to be top-notch the enjoyment of the game will be increased exponentially.

Reply #38 Top

Quoting Darxim, reply 32

I've got a list here:

https://forums.elementalgame.com/439642

I need to go through and mark out things that have already changed.  I'll get started on that now.

Wow, nice!  Never saw your thread.  I'll make a link to it the OP.

:thumbsup:

Reply #39 Top

Two more ideas:

Currently casting enchants on units on strategic screen is a clickfest. It would be nice if you could do a multiple selection of units with the total sum of mana used being displayed and then subtracted upon cast as usual. 

A "Toggle-select all units" option on town screen would be nice. It would reduce the clickfest factor in case of conquests.

+1 Loading…
Reply #40 Top


I would LOVE a statement in the info screen, telling me the TOTAL number of how MANY troops a EMPIER has. :ninja:

 

P.S.  Reposting not sure if I was clear enough in what the info. pertain to. ( EMPIER ) O:)

Reply #41 Top


1.  Border colors should have two colors like the city-states in Civ V so that they don't look so similar.  For example, Pariden should blue and white.  Resoln should be blue and black.

2.  Beguiled needs a little icon above the head.

https://forums.elementalgame.com/442569

 

 

Reply #42 Top

Quoting Trojasmic, reply 41


1.  Border colors should have two colors like the city-states in Civ V so that they don't look so similar.  For example, Pariden should blue and white.  Resoln should be blue and black.


 

+1 to this!

Some faction colors are too similar now.

Reply #43 Top

I think this list'll get more attention than mine, so....

Add the ability to see the full stats and equipment of the two champions we have to choose between on the selection screen itself, or by double-clicking on them  in the selection window to bring up the unit detail window.

Reply #44 Top

Quoting Darxim, reply 43

I think this list'll get more attention than mine, so....

Add the ability to see the full stats and equipment of the two champions we have to choose between on the selection screen itself (or, you know, double-click on them to bring up the unit detail window).

It already does that dude.

Reply #45 Top

How?  I can only see their abilities.  I've tried double-clicking on them, and... well, there's nothing really else to try.  The only way I can see to do it is to save before the selection comes up, recruit one, look them over, reload the save, recruit the other, look them over, and then make a decision.

Reply #46 Top

Actually, since the random seed isn't saved, I guess the save/load thing wouldn't work.

Reply #47 Top

Quoting Trojasmic, reply 44


Quoting Darxim, reply 43
I think this list'll get more attention than mine, so....

Add the ability to see the full stats and equipment of the two champions we have to choose between on the selection screen itself (or, you know, double-click on them to bring up the unit detail window).

It already does that dude.

No it doesn't.

Reply #48 Top
 
1.  Border colors should have two colors like the city-states in Civ V so that they don't look so similar.  For example, Pariden should blue and white.  Resoln should be blue and black.

+1 to this!

Some faction colors are too similar now.

 

yes, pls another +1 to this.

When you have 16+ factions that you're playing with it's ahrd to differentiate the shades of blue / red or whatever.

Total War series (and i'm sure others) you a 2 coloured border that works really well.

 

 

Edit... stupid forum.. dunno why my quoting doesn't work poperly :-(

 

Reply #49 Top

Regarding this one:

Add the ability to see the full stats and equipment of the two champions we have to choose between on the selection screen itself (or, you know, double-click on them to bring up the unit detail window).

Kael or Frogboy said somewhere this was by design.  Might have been in Frogboys youtube.

The idea was you get a rough idea as to teh type of champion they are... but they didn't want players looking at champions as a bunch of numbers so to speak.  Something like that.

I kinda like it the way is is personally but each to their own.

Reply #50 Top

Here are my +1 votes:

  • Please provide notification (or option) when non-allied units (no NAP) enter my territory.
  • An "Initiative Bucket" indicator, that fills as tactical combat ticks along, which graphically shows how initiative is being determined and affected by various game effects.
  • Option to remove enchantments on a unit from within the unit's Unit Details screen.
  • When the city leveling dialog appears, include a button linking to the city details screen [thadianaphena], and/or an option to defer city leveling [Snowraven], and center the city on the screen.
  • Allow the player the options to delete and edit sovereigns and factions on the sovereign/faction creation screens, instead of having to go to the xml files.
  • Allow negotiation for multiple treaties simultaneously.
  • Allow use of any resources to negotiate for treaties.
  • List all prerequisites for all techs, spells, and improvements in the descriptions.