Well, this is about a mod concept, but please let the post stay here for a bit, as I want to gather ideas from everyone before I get started, including those who don't often look in the mod subforum.
Anyways, this has been discussed numerous times in the past, and I am ready to jump on it -
A mod that introduces viable and cost effective Thug and SC chassis to all paths that lack them currently.
Basically, this is more for the large games, than the small games. In small games there are enough royalty and whatnot to give people a decent shot at getting something to work with. In a game with 20+ players, the people who do not shoot straight for Uniques, will generally always get locked out.
This mod will leave in the existing Unique royalty, but my current concept is to add in elemental "Princes" and "Princesses" who use the same models (hey, I'm cheap!), but have slightly reduced stats, and are somewhat cheaper. But I also want to include non-Unique SC chassis for Astral and Nature (probably use the Treelord graphic, and not sure what for Astral summon), and thug chassis for every path (other than Blood) that are comparable in cost/utility to Bane Lords.
Now here's the thing though - I want them all to be distinctly different, and have their own assortment of strengths and weaknesses, I'm not just going to copy Bane Lords and change the color, and call them "Astral Lords", that would be pathetic. So what I need from everyone, is some conceptual inspiration as to what would make a good thug for the various paths, and what will set each one apart from the rest. Also, if anyone wants to volunteer to do graphics for the thugs, it would be much appreciated, else I will recycle those from existing Dom3 sprites as well.
I've got some ideas rolling around, but I am here to take suggestions and requests! I want this to be a resource that makes large games more competitive and enjoyable for everyone.
Early Concept List:
Fire
Ifrit (Bane Lord level thug, flying, minor magic randoms in FAES, same slots as Djinn)
Balrog (King level SC, Fear, flying, high stats, few slots with "built in" gear)
Earth
Ogre Conquistador (Bane Lord level thug, random magic, full slots, low MR, replaces Ettin on my list after all)
Golden Centurion (King level SC, regen, high resistances, Mindless, full slots, no magic)
Air
Hototo (Bane Lord level thug, good general, Standard, full slots, no magic)
Adom (sub-King level SC, Ethereal, damage shield, only misc+hands)
Water
Sludge Animate (Bane Lord level thug, Mindless, Fatigue attack)
Olm Champion (between Bane Lord and King level? high stats, few slots, powerful buffing magic)
Marid (King level SC, Awe, high MR, strong mage)
Astral
Entropic Manifestation (Bane level thug, 4 arms, Fear)
Entity (Bane Lord level thug, fast, flying, multiple life drain attacks, few slots)
Archon (King level SC, higher stats, full slots, high MR, no other abilities?)
Nature
Brownie Trickster (size 1 assassin, fragile but Glamored/Lucky/etc)
Lycan (werecreature, Bane Lord level thug, stealthy, high regen)
Vengeful Treant (King level SC)
Death
Decomposing Reaver (Size 4 Mindless, minor SC comparable to Golem, though perhaps lacking any magic - Enchantment 7)
SC and Thug Diversity Project
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