Secondary Attacks { posted by Destichado } { reply by Eogan }
{ posted by Destichado }
The idea of having secondary attacks has been kicked around on this forum off an on, half-heartedly, for at least a year now. Someone suggests it, some few of us think it "might" be an "okay" idea, but implamentation has always been a problem. So has the idea of what the secondary attack would actually be. My suggestion takes care of implamentation, and proivides a platform for shield-bashing, hilt-punching, making polearms behave more like poilearms, fechtbook moves, and any number of other frequently suggested ideas.
Well, they say that a picture is worth a thousand words. So, if you will forgive me for a mess of near stick-figures, hastily sketched on the spurr of the moment, allow me to substitute a few dozen paragraphs.
Now, if you'll permit me to explain:
One of the beauties of M&B is that the left muse click ASSUMES the ready possition, and that relase triggers the attack. This compares favorably to a game like, say, Oblivion, where the click triggers attack wheather you would have prefered to wait for a better moment or not.
I believe that the way to make secondary attacks work well is to make the both the primary and secondary attack flow from the same ready position("wards" or "guards" in fechtbook terms). Pressing the left mouse button will assume the guard postion based on the position of the cursor, just as it is now. Releasing the mouse button will trigger attack, just as it does now. Releasing the mouse button while simultaniously pressing the "secondary attack button" will produce a new attack with a different animation. (For the secondary attack button I like Z or Ctrl, personally, but that can be configured to taste like everything else.)
The purpose of having a secondary attack is usually to produce a different kind of damage. Here it is no different. A thrust-only spear does piercing damage. Its secondary attack, a butt-stroke, would deal blunt. You can see the usefullness already. When fists were introduced, we realized that if we were prepared to accept much less damage, we could stop carrying around a blunt weapon for knocking out the Noble. Siimilarly, if you're prepared to accept lesser damage, using the secondary attack you could pommel, butt-stroke and shield-bash your enemies into submission.
But with M&B's parrying system we would get a new utility, for while primary and secondary attacks would flow out of the same initial position, the attacks can come from in different vectors. (EG: the primary attack with sword & shield, vs a shield bash.) If you're in the high guard with an opponent who's bliocking high? Thrust your pommel at him instead, before he changes guards. Using a quarterstaff like a quarterstaff would actually become possible.
I think we're all clever enough to figure out the logical secondary attacks for each guard position, especially given the drawing, but I can list them all if need be.
I realize that this would be a chore and a half to animate -doubling the attack animations- and would require adding even more stats to weapons and shields It may potentially add to system requirements, but not in a comparitively signifigant way. On the other hand, think of all the benefits. It's a relatively simple way to get the shield-bashing we want. It would add a great degree of realiism to the game -some of it straight out of the fechtbooks. And it could be used to give throwing troops melee options without switching weaons.
(PS: Forgive the second row illustrations. The stick figure is clearly readying and delivering a thrust, but I mis-labeled it as an overhead cut. Sorry!)
{ reply by Eogan }
Beautiful. Wonderful. Glorious.
So, uhh... what's the secondary attack button?
Actually, I think a double-click would work well with your system. Well, not a standard double-click, because it would work with a delay. What I mean is that if you left-click within, say, an half-second of releasing the attack button it would perform the secondary attack. So:
-
if you hold down the left mouse button and then release it you do a normal attack.
- if you left-click you do a normal attack.
- if you hold down the LMB, release it, and then click again within a half-second you do a secondary attack.
- if you double-click you do a secondary attack.
That also opens up the possibility of repeating that system with the right mouse button, which could open the door for grappling, shield-hooks, or even dodging. Actually, no. If you're blocking with a weapon, sometimes you need to click that fast just to defend yourself. Doing a random shoulder roll in such situations would be annoying.
Heavy weapon swings wound multiple opponents. { posted by Felklaw }
G'Day all.
Not sure if this has been mentioned in a suggestion as I couldn't find it in my searching.
Heavy weapons like the glaive, 2 handed heavy axe and 2 handed swords have a large damage potential to anyone infront of the wielder of said weapon.
Currently, swinging these weapons results in a single person taking the brunt of the damage. Same as if I charge along on my warhorse at a group of enemies on foot and swing my sword down the side, I hit one person, and if they block then I hit nobody.
In reality I would be able to wound a couple of people in a single swing, especially with a heavy weapon.
My suggestion is if you are using a 2 handed weapon on foot, that it has the potential to harm more than a single person in the path of the swipe.
To compensate for the larger damage output, this should only apply to heavy 2 handed weapons, and it would also be reflected by a lower weapon speed to make it slower to swing. (speed <= 85 ?)
This way it can dish out more damage, but you have to be able to swing it in the first place !
This doesn't apply to 1 handed weapons, or fast 2 handed weapons when on foot, as they are too light to transfer the momentum damage to more than the first person they impact with. (balance issue)
Also, a similar system for when mounted on horseback and swinging your weapon.
2 handed weapons or heavy 2 handed weapons damage multiple people when the horse is moving at medium speed (just below couched lance speed)
A stationary horse doesn't convey the bonus, so don't get swamped down by foot troops
Single handed weapons can harm multiple enemies if the horse is moving at it's fastest speed (couched lance speed). Maybe make a minimum horse speed of 4 for these multiple hit bonus to be effective, that way you will never get the bonus if riding on a lame horse.
Distance based reinforcements spawning for raids/defense, Arena, Battles.
{ posted by DamienZharkoff }
This is a common complaint, and still a valid one.
In a castle siege I did earlier, my men in the first wave (Not seperate battle, each wave in this case being my original men at start of fight (first wave) and my two reinforcement sets) were dwindeling in numbers, but were kicking some serious ass. We fought the enemy back and.... they spawn right ontop of my men! So since their men all carry short swords, and my nord huscarls all carry axes, a slaughter began on my men.
What we need is maybe, three or four different spawn points. Each spawn point will not activate if there are troops there. If there are troops around all spawn points, then either...
A) Troops spawn in even(ish) amounts at all spawn points (would add archer based military)
or
B) Troops spawn on the one with the most(or least) men
Note: Feel free to discuss all forms of enemies spawning, I changed the topic so we can nip the whole issue of bad spawning, not just some
If there are troops around all spawn points, then either...
A) Troops spawn in even(ish) amounts at all spawn points (would add archer based military)
or
B) Troops spawn on the one with the most(or least) men
Executing prisoners for profit (Or disposition) { posted by DamienZharkoff }
In medieval times, killing criminals was damn near a party for the townsfolk. Cheering, dancing, fun!
So why not be able to execute a number of your prisoners to attract more income (As the citizens will be spending more at the market hucksters, and therefore increase how much you get from said citizens")
Or instead (a more likely idea) you may do it for a large, small, non existent, harmful, or wounding disposition gain.
an Example.
You have 92 prisoners. You choose to kill 30 of them. you are killing 33% of your prisoners. The city may, or may not like this. After a day of executing prisoners, you will get one of give rewards (or punishments)
The city of Jelkla cheers at your show of power upon your enemies. After spending a day of celebrating and taunting the dead foe, they move on to the taverns and markets, spreading the joy in the form of spent gold to the taverns and market stalls throughout the city! (+2-3)
The citizens of the city smile and cheer at the death of the criminals. After the events die down, they move on with their lives, heading off to home to tend the children, or to work the fields. (+1)
The citizens occasionally gawk at the executions that take place. But most seem to rather work then watch the events unfold. (0)
The citizens, having seen enough violence, turn in early, shaken by the blood bath. (-1)
The citizens are outraged at your cruelty and bloodlust! Some protest the "murders" of so many prisoners and a few brave ones charge the executioner and gaurds. [afterwards one of two lines may appear in this sentance] The gaurds kill the petty attackers, and the crowd falls silent, slinking back to their homes after seeing such horrid acts that day (-3)
The gaurds manage to kill the large and rowdy group of attackers, though, some gaurds were killed and injured. the crowd falls silent, slinking back to their homes after seeing such horrid acts that day (-3, Randomly Wounds and kill some of the lowest tier troops garrisoned)
Different cities would have different tastes in # of troops (or % depending what works better) that they would like to see executed. This would (preferably) also be partially decided by region.
Perhaps for party morale.
Recruit Deserters { posted by DamienZharkoff }
I bet this topic has been posted before, Just can't find a topic based on my own thus far
Simply put...
EG: You are now at war with Rhodoks. You have -10 Relation (This is assuming your not aligned to a kingdom for this example)
A extra topic will ALWAYS be in a deserters chat (In this example they are rhodok trained crossbowmen, 10 of them, that you encounter)
Deserter: We are free brothers! We blah blah blah (Insert dramatic desire here) (Insert taunt here)
I will make you regret ever leaving the army!
Surrender (Wussy)
How about I give you a chance to get some revenge on the (Kingdom)s? [Player selects this one]
Deserter: You ain't done nothing more then start a petty squabble with our side! Why should we trust you?
You can't! (Attack)
Never mind... (Go back to last page)
I have coin. just name your price [Player chooses this one]
Deserter: Let us see here... Well me and my boys ain't just out to piss off our old lords... We also need some coin to fill our bellies! 400 Denars for the 10 of us. Pay up and you got yerself some men!
Sure! Heres your pay!
I don't have that kind of denar to spare!
Know what, forget it! I'll fill your bellies with my blade!
Never mind...
If you are aligned with, or neutral, they will just suddenly attack you. This would place you at a tactics disadvantage.
Ok, I am done ranting! wewt!
Face smashed in by losing in a battle {posted by Ingolifs }
I was just thinking, that maybe if a player loses a battle and gets knocked unconscious, there could be a random chance of something happening to his face.
This 'something' can include: losing teeth, getting scars in various places, having a nasty gash that goes through the eye so you only have one eye. (like one of those faces in hugemod i think) or getting your nose broken and wonky.
These effects would only be cosmetic, but they would be permanent.
any thoughts?
Companions { posted by Shadow_73 }
Just wondering, I'm probably going to get shot down in flames but, I have 3 questions
1)
If your companions can become nobles or your own squires, taking to the map them selfs and giving the soldiers of your own maybe to get them to go raid villages or start a siege on a town that you can later go on to? or something else that I didn't think of.
2)
If not that, maybe if them disband from your army because they are not happy with you, they can join a faction or wonder the map as a bandit and build up there own army, and maybe if they have a grudge against you (leaving because they hate the way you lead or hate your other companions), they can spend there time looking for you to destroy your army and making your life hell, which would make the game harder in my opinion.
3)
If you are in a faction and have a good relation with the king or another lord, would it be possible to get them to train up and army for you, this would only be good at the start of the game, I find it hard myself to train an army at levels 1-10, but anyway, if not a lord or king, maybe a town or village of your own? this would come at a cost and take some time.
If something like this has been posted before, sorry, but I couldn't find anything on it, and don't be harsh on me please, i'm just learning about this, and actually thought though unlike few of my other posts
Travern : Treat your men to dinner { posted by DamienZharkoff }
Would be nice if you could enter a tavern, and, for a cost of some denars per man, treat your men to a feast to raise morale
Meals available would be based on region, and cities prosperity
A rich city would be obviously have more food, better quality TO the food, and better chefs
When you walk into a tavern, you may talk to a bartender about this topic
(In this example, we will use a rich city so i may show all options)
Tavern Keeper: Greetings
You: I wish to buy my men a meal
Tavern Keeper: Well, what should we prepare?
You:
Some Swill and Fresh bread (2Denars a man)
Some Strong Ale, Bread, and Fine cheeses (4Denars a man)
Some Wine, Cheeses, Breads, and your choicest meats! (10Denars a man)
Let them order what they wish and eat until their stomachs burst! (15Denars a man)
Now of course, different regions would have different options
Also, the morale gain would be based on a factor of region + food + troop type
Say you have this army setup
10 Nord Footmen
20 Swadian Recruits
5 Mercenary Crossbowmen
and say currently the swadians are at war with the nords. You go to eat at a swadian city, with you yourself being a swadian lord. In this case, the following would happen
10 Nord footmen will add -2 to the morale gain (modifers of -1 for being at war with that region, and -1 for the meal being provided by a swadian lord)
20 Swadian Recruits will add +2 to whatever meals modifer you choose (+1 for eating a meal in their own region, +1 for it being a lord of their country (would be an honor))
5 Mercenary Crossbowmen would add +0 (They don't have preferences to regions, and They don't care whose side they are on)
In this case, to NEGATE the negative modifier of the nords, you would need to buy a great meal for them to forget it came from the lord of a nation that their brothers are at war with.
Same topic theme: Banquet { posted by Snorky }
I have played M&B for some time now, but didn't really feel the need to register on the forum. Until i had an idea, which in my opinion could greatly enhance the immersion of the game.
Taking cities and castles is fun and all with your mighty throne room in it, but i always felt like it missed something. I would just like to hang around my own fiefs a bit more but the problem is, as a player you have no real reason to do so.
So my idea of giving the player more reason to stick around his castle/city, would be the ability to organize banquets and letting you choose which lords to invite. Some lords would greatly appreciate your offer and therefore greatly improve your relations with the lord in question. Other may see no reason to join your banquet and would kindly, or not kindly refuse your offer, this all depending on your current relations with the lords, however some lords whom you did not invite, but did expected to be invited might cause a loss of reputation so you should choose your guest carefully.
As for the banquet it self, It could be just a way of gathering the lords you want to talk to regarding quests and stuff, you could discus war, finance or just more social talk. It could even be a way of displaying your wealth, by wearing expensive cloths or how extravagant the feast is organized.
But i don't think it shouldn't end up in a hall full of lords standing in line for you to talk to, the lords should also talk to each other in such a way that the feast can even have a certain mood, more social or more political, for instance if you invited enemy lords this could drastically change the mood or it might even lead to peace. If you would be the Marshal you could greatly use the Banquets to give lords mission and so on.
In any case i feel it could give the characters and the game over all, allot more depth.