Another Death Match Balancing Idea
 

All permanent effects gained while in the arena are removed at the end of the competition, and items are never picked up. This includes:

-curses
-horror marks
-wounds
-cursed items
-etc...

I'm not sure how easy this would be to implement, but it would probably address the most basic complaint that has been leveled at the competition.

Re: Another Death Match Balancing Idea
 

I really don't see why this would be necessary. It is a tradition to curse, horror mark and disease the champions of your enemies. No risk, no gain.

Re: Another Death Match Balancing Idea
 

Yea, theres no gain from cursing, horror marking, diseasing and forcefully equipping your enemies best commander with crappy equipment.

Re: Another Death Match Balancing Idea
 

Really? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

I guess there's also no risk or expence in spending mage-time and gems on making items for the sole purpose of sending them into the arena hoping it will hurt someone else.

Making the reward for winning the DM more widely useful would probably be good though.

Re: Another Death Match Balancing Idea
 

Yes ! Why not different sort of reward ? Let the winner choose what he wants !
An artefact for fighter and another for mage will be great.

Re: Another Death Match Balancing Idea
 

I personally think the reward is crap. The weapon that is. I don't want to send any serious champ up there since he'll be cursed with that crappy trident and can't use any decent items afterwards.

Re: Another Death Match Balancing Idea
 

Back in dom2, when playing AE/SG Ermor I'd send a Dusk Elder (when I had one to spare = late game), so he can use the trident's quickness to make twice as many skeletons turnly in battle http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif (This is SP of course)
Nowadays quickness no longer effects casting, so that benefit is gone :\

Re: Another Death Match Balancing Idea
 

Hmm, does it give quickness?:/

I thought it only is an average weapon with two attacks a roudn and takes two hands? If it gives quickness it's ok after all... at least for the four handed heroes/pretenders.

Re: Another Death Match Balancing Idea
 

Not considering the 100xp when you think about the reward value is a bad idea I think. The trident is just an above average weapon, but coupled with 100 xp (+100 for each new victory) can make a thug really excellent.
After 2 death matchs won my simple bane even with a limp affliction has att 22, def 21 (4 stars (+4) , heroic ability (+3) + quickness (+3)= +10 for attack ; xp (+4) and the trident (+9 !! quickness +3 and weapon +6) def = +13 for defense, and he had to do nothing but death matchs to achieve these stats.
Anyway, I think IW should have kept the original quickness effect for the trident (only), so the item would also interest mages a lot (in this game my bane had only to kill weak commanders and the prophet of an AI nation to win, as nobody see the interest of sending casters now).

Re: Another Death Match Balancing Idea
 

It's pretty scary sending your best of the best champion to the championships really... since one unlucky spell resist and you might be toast..

Also casters are quite brittle. If you send a mage, and your enemy happens to be a melee flier with the first action - you're toast:)

But people USED TO send mages back when quickness gave 2 spells a round, yes?