Design a Unit - Discussion and Q&A

[Zuffox]

I figured that people would eventually have something to say or ask regarding the competition, and I'll gladly be the to venture a question to the panel/jury/almight Kael:

Will it be possible to submit entries via PM, so that the ideas won't get stolen?

 

[Kael]

I figured that people would eventually have something to say or ask regarding the competition, and I'll gladly be the to venture a question to the panel/jury/almight Kael:

Will it be possible to submit entries via PM, so that the ideas won't get stolen?

I would rather not, just because my pm fills up every day as it is. I dont think idea stealing will be bad.

 

[Silverkiss]

"Nothing is created, everything is copied"

Well in enlgish it isn´t as funny as in portuguese, but oh well =P

 

[Zherak_Khan]

puck11b submitted the exact same unit I was planning to suggest. Even the name, Skirmisher is the same. High withdraw, low strength, first strikes...

Oh well, I'll have to come up with something new. Possibly something to do with Stones and Marble, making them something else than wonder-hoarding resources. I really want a unit that will retain its utility throughout the whole game. As is, Workers are really the only units which never obselete.

 

[puck11b]

Sorry man. I think you came up with a great idea though.

 

[loki1232]

ooops nvm.

Forgot to read Kael's thread.

 

[kevjm]

"Nothing is created, everything is copied"

Well in enlgish it isn´t as funny as in portuguese, but oh well =P

"A good artist knows how to copy, a truely great artist knows how to cover his sources"- Albert Einstein (I think)

 

[Zherak_Khan]

Sorry man. I think you came up with a great idea though.

Great minds think alike. I like my new idea better, though the simple&smashing of the Skirmishers is way cool.

 

[Silverkiss]

"A good artist knows how to copy, a truely great artist knows how to cover his sources"- Albert Einstein (I think)

Hahahahaha

 

[kevjm]

People are coming up with some great ideas
For the hollow cloak unit, they would be vulnerable to marksmen when stacked, right?

Already thinking of counter-strategies against units which haven't even been made yet

Nice touch I think, means they're not so overpowering.

 

[Corlindale]

Before you get iron working:

4 Str 2 movement (Is very strong to represent numbers!)

After you get liberalism:

8 Str 3 movement (Even stronger!)

I could use some clarification on this. Seems like there's a stage missing, between IW and Liberalism.

 

[Xanikk999]

I could use some clarification on this. Seems like there's a stage missing, between IW and Liberalism.

Sorry i have to admit i have NEVER finished a FFH game (Even phase 1!).

You can shoot me now! :suicide:

So you have my permission to edit if you want.

 

[Xanikk999]

I could use some clarification on this. Seems like there's a stage missing, between IW and Liberalism.

Oh now i get what you mean. I hope im not disqualified yet! Il change it.

And i stand by the high movement points. These are rebel armies and are trying to pillage the countryside and avoid engaging your units. So i would code them to try to outmanuever your units.

 

[puck11b]

@Zherak_Khan:Yeah I was just reading it. That really is a neat idea, different mechanics than anything else, great doppleganger like flavour. I think maybe the -100% when sharing a tile may be a bit tricky, if for no other reason than what happens if something attacks it before it gets that +25 for the ether techs, and it is sharing a tile with something else? What will the computer do if it has to deal with a unit that has an effective str of -$value. That is for Kael and the Dev team to deal with, just giving feedback.
*grin*
I hope they don't feel like they have to take just one of the units, since I am also digging Abman's Giant Spider and would love to see that show up too. (for that matter perhaps the giant spider should have a bonus against flyers?)

Regarding the "rebel" unit by xanikk999, perhaps the chance to spawn based on how many unhappy people you have? like 2-5% per? *edit* removed same question Corlindale asked.



Regarding the Militia:
If I recall correctly there are only 5 or so defensive buildings, so the unit maxes out at 7ish? Maybe make it 2 per and have it max out at 12(ish) so that it can hold up well in the end game as well.

Anyone have thoughts on the Skirmisher?

 

[Corlindale]

Oh now i get what you mean. I hope im not disqualified yet! Il change it.

I don't think we disqualify anyone I was just a little confused. Don't worry, suggestions will only be judged by their form at deadline, I think.

 

[Zherak_Khan]

Regarding the Hollowcloak, it is supposed to be rather niché, and not fit in a regular army. If it gets caught with its cloak down, so to speak, it will be mauled. The AI probably won't use it very well, which is a slight problem, but I still think we deserve some fun toys. I also think the game mechanics work so that no unit may ever end up with negative strength: 2 Str, -125% would give something around 0.7 Str - next to nothing, but still not actually negative.

Regarding the Skirmisher, I was going to do some research on its Withdrawal chance with innate ability and Flanking promotions. I feel it should wind up somewhere in the neighbourhood of 90% Withdrawal, maybe even 98%, but have only 1 movement. The Skirmishers' weakness should be retaliation and its inability to attack cities, in my opinion. I think the current design accomplishes that rather well, without having studied the details.

 

[abman]

We have to wait all the way until the 29th to find out the winner? Aw man..
But on the other hand, that's my birthday, so maybe that will be good luck!

 

[kevjm]

Regarding the Militia:
If I recall correctly there are only 5 or so defensive buildings, so the unit maxes out at 7ish? Maybe make it 2 per and have it max out at 12(ish) so that it can hold up well in the end game as well.

I disagree. The strongest buildable unit is around strength 7 I believe (although I haven't had time to play through a full FfH II game yet, so I'm not sure). I'm glad you agree he'll only reach about strength 7 though

Edit: Perhaps a future tech could enhance their strength for the late game, if they get included.

 

[kevjm]

Anyone have thoughts on the Skirmisher?

I was thinking, why not make him have very low strength (say 1 perhaps) a couple of first strikes and 95-100% withdrawal chance?

 

[Zherak_Khan]

The strongest regular units are somewhere in the neighbourhood of 12 or 15 (Spartoi, Immortal, War Chariot), not counting the special units, like Meshabber of Dis (38?).