tesbs further flavored civilizations [development thread]

[tesb]

the units themselves are the closest i found to the spellbinder:
http://aow2.heavengames.com/aowsm/gameinfo/units/syrons.shtml
the animation will remain melee, since they are modeled after the spellbinder.

i may add effects though. they are not supposed to be a generic replacement of the regular spell casters. (i also find the grenadier animation terrible )

 

[tesb]

after trying a lot of different approaches to mounted units i decided that they will not have any, instead they build crystal golems and titans. they will behave like normal golems, i.e. not gaining in xp but they are rather strong and they don't have the outsider promotion making them the only troops capable of effectively fighting on regular terrain. they will be expansive though.

Spoiler :

edit: i made a higher res version:

Spoiler :

edit 2: the final version uses the same resolution like the one in the first picture i did however managed it that it looks much better, more akin to the second picture

edit 3: i gave the golems body a more crystalline texture, akin to the titan i the second picture

 

[Valkrionn]

Interesting art... Will be watching where you go with it with interest.

 

[tesb]

i am interested in your (anybodies) opinions, what looks better with glow (right picture) or without (left picture)?

Spoiler :

i personally like the glowing version more.


edit: here is a second comparison picture:

Spoiler :

 

[Valkrionn]

Is there any way you can show pictures from within game? I never get a good idea of what a glow will look like from within nifskope (nifviewer? Whichever you're using).

 

[Aline]

Is there a way to change models ingame?
I mean, let them glow if they get the buff(due to being on the right terrain) and switch the glow of if they loose the buff.

 

[[to_xp]Gekko]

I gotta say though I'm not a huge fan of having yet another civ relying so much on their special terrain. I'd rather have their special terrain cause issues that their units only are immune from, so that they are still normally good outside of it and get benefits inside from it, instead of sucking outside of it

 

[tesb]

Is there any way you can show pictures from within game? I never get a good idea of what a glow will look like from within nifskope (nifviewer? Whichever you're using).

yes, but i will add them later, first i create the all models. i will keep both (with and without glow) so i can change them if i wish.

Is there a way to change models ingame?
I mean, let them glow if they get the buff(due to being on the right terrain) and switch the glow of if they loose the buff.

i already thought in the same direction, but i don't know if it is possible that they change automatically. what i could do is add an ability that transforms then into the glowing version.

maybe i block them from getting weapons (bronze/iron/mithril) and instead they get better crystal equipment.




edit: i turned down the glow effect on the brightness parts a bit. i also added a glow effect for all units i did so far, so when i finished the recon line i can post the first screenshots of the models ingame, if i am lucky maybe even today

I gotta say though I'm not a huge fan of having yet another civ relying so much on their special terrain. I'd rather have their special terrain cause issues that their units only are immune from, so that they are still normally good outside of it and get benefits inside from it, instead of sucking outside of it

they will not suffer any penalties on regular terrain, but they are a bit weaker then their corresponding units. the outsider race promotion gives them a boost on their terrain. i want them to be a slow builder civilization where culture and magic are the most important aspects.

 

[tesb]

crap i wanted a unit similar to this:

Spoiler :

i took the coatl from rife (originally made by psychic lama if i am correct) anyways the wings alone made a ton of work to get them right (and they are the only thing i am happy with) and i am not even close

Spoiler :

it is supposed to by an crystal phoenix, any advice on the body texture would be great.

 

[Valkrionn]

Honestly, it still looks awesome.

And the original model was modified by Psychic_Llamas, from the original Kohan 2 drake unit converted to Civ by Deliverator.

 

[JujZe]

So you are really modeling these and not just reskins?
In that case you are very fast
Im interested in 3d modeling I have been looking for a course or something cuz i have lots off free time in my hands.

 

[tesb]

no i only do reskins. i have no clue about modeling (well i did modeling some years ago).
although you can do a fair amount just with nifskope.
for example adding different weapons, effects, block things etc.

 

[JujZe]

Okay
I might just take a look of this nifskope, maybe i can try to do something.
I just need to learn how to add units and switch arts and then i can do mods on my own

 

[tesb]

i am done with all units (well not all, i still need to make the settler and worker but this is minor)
so i am testing all units ingame, if the graphics work.
here are the first screenshots, so you can compare glow and without glow. i think i will keep both and make an mechanic around it

Spoiler :

 

[Valkrionn]

I like it best with the glow, personally. Artstyle can be easily changed via promotion, so some kind of temporary promotion....

Maybe have a promotion which grants the glowing art, removes negatives from Outsider (believe you said they had something like that?), lasts X turns, and requires Y turns channeling power from their specialized terrain (which either reverts back to the base terrain, or does nothing but take a few turns of casting, dunno how strong it would be).

Basically, the glow would be them 'charging' themselves with their special terrain, so they act as though they are on that terrain no matter where they go for several turns.

 

[tesb]

i think that mechanic would be too micro intensive, but i like the general idea.
i maybe do it via a repeatable ritual that grants that promotion for x turns or a global enchantment i will see or just replace weapons buffs.

i too like the glowing version more especially the eyes look great, here are all prospector types in one picture:

Spoiler :

 

[Lemminkäinen]

i too like the glowing version more especially the eyes look great, here are all prospector types in one picture:

I like the non-glowy ones slightly better, but the glowy eyes are indeed very striking. Could you maybe add the glow to the eyes even on the non-glowy ones?

Anyway, kudos for the awesome, awesome work!

 

[tesb]

ok i tested all units and they work fine. the crystal phoenix looks actually quite nice ingame

Spoiler :

1) Hero + crystal golem + crystal titan
2) + 5) Giant Warrior, Crystal Warrior and Lightning Catcher
3) Arcane Line (spellcatchers)
4) Archers (Archer, Longbow; marks"man")
6) Crystal Spiders
7) + 8) Crystal Phoenix


i just wanted to test if the units work, they will no be together in one formation and the scale of some units might possibly change.

now i only need to finish the terrain the improvements and buttons and all art is done. then comes the no so funny part: xml work

 

[Calavente]

you can do another thing then waning but it works similiar to it and the ai woud be able to use it:
lvl 6+ units simply would give the city they are stationed in a bonus, not unlike the mentats from dune wars. they would autoacquire a promotion on lvl 6 that give the city some boni.

1) it no longer requires you to sacrifice the unit
2) it is passive, i.e. less micro
3) it discourages you from waging war, or at least to loose those units or even leave the city with them

That's a good idea... maybe even gie them afterwards some specializing promotion that help to specialize helping the city so that with 3 thus promotion + the lvl6 promo, they become as good as a GP (ex : base promotion at lvl 6 is : +1 +1 +1)
sub promotions : each tree specializing the unit :
scientist I : +1, scientist II : +1 +1, scientist III +2; ...etc
merchant I : +1 ; MII : +1G, +1F, MIII +2G
..Etc
bard I:+1 ;
priest I : +1 )

 

[Calavente]

Spoiler :

after trying a lot of different approaches to mounted units i decided that they will not have any, instead they build crystal golems and titans. they will behave like normal golems, i.e. not gaining in xp but they are rather strong and they don't have the outsider promotion making them the only troops capable of effectively fighting on regular terrain. they will be expansive though.

Spoiler :

edit: i made a higher res version:

Spoiler :

edit 2: the final version uses the same resolution like the one in the first picture i did however managed it that it looks much better, more akin to the second picture

edit 3: i gave the golems body a more crystalline texture, akin to the titan i the second picture

That is sooo good !!
are you currently thinking about re-creating some of the other golems(wood, iron, mithril and nullstone ...they have mostly bland shape...(clockwork and gargoyl are cool)