[bug] [0.87] - Sweeping Shield Bash and AoE Arrow Attack

from Elemental Forums

I've had both of these abilities bug out on me by stating "not a valid target" even though I am targeting an enemy within range. I can sometimes pull off the attack if I target an empty square. But when all squares are occupied, I just have to pass that units action.

Also, sometimes my horse mounted ranged hero's animation for the AoE ranged special does not play and the game hangs for about 5-10 seconds until suddenly damage numbers pop up (no arrow tracers) and the round resumes. Other times, the animation does play immediately and you can see the arrow tracers. But the lag happens more often than not it seems.

On a side note, Bows are way underpowered for hero characters. They have no special ability like xbows, axes, hammers, swords and spears. All bows should come basic with the quick fire ability currently in place, 2 attacks at -20 accuracy. Beef up the current double attack skill to stack another attack every 3 levels or something. A hail of arrows in an area or a hail of arrows at a single target.

7,285 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

The slow animation issue was present in .85, too.

Agreed that bows seem underpowered. With their slow initiative and the general bent toward units defending more often now, the regular bowman unit isn't a huge benefit.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 1

The slow animation issue was present in .85, too.

Agreed that bows seem underpowered. With their slow initiative and the general bent toward units defending more often now, the regular bowman unit isn't a huge benefit.

Can't agree. Bows for non-assassin champions may be nigh useless, sure. And I could even agree that bows got less useful in LH. But they still do plenty of damage, if you hit non-defending units, and design your archers well for max damage output. Archers + strong frontline troops are still a great combo. 

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Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

I <3 ranged unit groups.

But every single Assassin bow wielding HERO I've fielded, they really just under-performed in comparison to any other hero type equipped with the same tier of skills and weaponry.

The only one that was useful was an assassin designed to off Champions or break armor, but that only opens up way down the talent path. 

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Also, sometimes my horse mounted ranged hero's animation for the AoE ranged special does not play and the game hangs for about 5-10 seconds until suddenly damage numbers pop up (no arrow tracers) and the round resumes. Other times, the animation does play immediately and you can see the arrow tracers. But the lag happens more often than not it seems.

And it's not just mounted units. I am not 100% positive about whether this is still present in 0.87, but when I attempted playing Lady Irane as a bow-wielding assassin, I eventually just abandoned the bow part because I got frustrated waiting 5-10 seconds in combat every time I wanted to use the "Rain of Arrows" ability.

On a side note, Bows are way underpowered for hero characters.

Yep. Bows are clearly designed for unit groups, which I think they are totally balanced for, but the downside is your heroes (you know, those legendary ones who can do anything they want) can't really get away with using them unless you want them to be effectively crippled.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

As suggested multiple times: Rain of arrows should be the bow special attack. The assassin ability expert archer should increase the damage of rain of arrows by 25 % and master archer should increase the damage of rain of arrows by 50 %.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Wizard1200, reply 5

As suggested multiple times: Rain of arrows should be the bow special attack. The assassin ability expert archer should increase the damage of rain of arrows by 25 % and master archer should increase the damage of rain of arrows by 50 %.

I like the idea, but wouldn't that make trained archers TOO good, once again?