Tip The Art of Placement

Manuk · #1 May 22nd, 2007, 04:12 PM

If you have a big nasty guy you may bring elephant bodyguards assigned to a closer-to-enemy commander.
Elephants will be targeted by single unit attack spells that often choose biggest enemy (and closer I assume).

DrPraetorious · #2 May 22nd, 2007, 04:17 PM

I'm not 100% sure of this, but it seems to me that when I cast blade-wind + wind guide, my svartalf tend to shoot over the heads of enemy heavy infantry at whatever is behind them.

When wind guide is *not* up, they just shot at the closer targets.

So I do think that precision plays some rule in target prioritization, but I could easily be mistaken.

MaxWilson · #3 May 22nd, 2007, 04:20 PM

Hmmm? I thought the formula for an arrow striking was dependent upon how tightly-packed the square was. Something like (12 + Shield*2 - Fatigue/10) vs. (10 + 2 if magic + total size in square). Placing bodyguards in his square might reduce risk a little but it's clearly not 1/3 because if the mage is selected as the target the chance of him actually getting hit goes up to a near-certainty.

Incidentally, are astral mages more likely to be targetted or something? If anything, I would have thought putting other mages in his square would make them more likely to be under Body Ethereal and Luck.

-Max

Micah · #4 May 22nd, 2007, 04:34 PM

Magic duel has an AE of 1 Max, so the loser's buddies get 'sploded too.

Ironhawk · #5 May 22nd, 2007, 05:27 PM

I believe that arrows target squares, not individual units. And if they contact with the square it randomly chooses a target from those available there. If there is only one, he will be shot. If there are three, it is 1/3.

Thats just what I recall from dom2. Could be anecdotal or changed in dom3, but I havent had any trouble with my bodyguard placements yet?

MaxWilson · #6 May 22nd, 2007, 05:47 PM

Yes, but even after it chooses a target it's not guaranteed to hit it. There's an opposed roll to determine if the target is hit, and if so of course there is another opposed roll vs. Protection to see if he takes damage. My point is that having extra bodyguards appears (from the formula in the manual) to increase your chances of being "hit," which partially offsets the gain from having bodyguards.

-Max

lch · #7 May 22nd, 2007, 07:23 PM

I guess the game determines "quality" of a unit by its gold cost or something?

Lazy_Perfectionist · #8 May 22nd, 2007, 07:34 PM

If you don't mind me asking...
How big is the placement grid?
When I get back home, maybe I can try putting a mage in each corner, getting in a battle, and turning on the grid. But if anyone knows offhand, or can tell me I'm overlooking something in the manual and what section, I'd appreciate it.

I suppose, I might as well ask how big the battlefield is, also.

Thanks in advance.