Very serious combat bug?

[Sir_Dr_D]

This is one one of the advantages of dominions. No combatant is invincible.

[Tichy]

This sounds like it might be one of those instances where the randomizer goes wonky. I've seen it happen sometimes in d20 games like NWN. You turn on the log and see runs of 3-5 1's out of 20 in a row at a much greater rate than chance. Anyone know why this happens?

[Endoperez]

It's because computers can't roll actual dice. There are various ways to try and simulate true randomness, but even the best simulations aren't perfect. There might also be compromises needed to ensure the results are same in all platforms Dominions works in. I think there was a bug with one spell (Magic Duel?) that used different random number generators in windows and linux, and thus got different results in different OS's, and thus battles played way differently (lowly Shaman one-shots a Wyrm pretender OR the pretender kills the whole enemy army).

[Beorne]

Yes, is Magic Duel.
But it is not that hard to find algorithms that are almost perfect semi-random generators (Numerical Recipes random algorithms for example). The C rand() is horrible.

This confirms that there are very subtle and very red undetected bugs around that hassle the game. And as with other serious bugs (in this same game I've been tortured by the "shrinking dominions" bug too as Ryle'h) I'd like someone correct them.

[Lazy_Perfectionist]

As an aside, while playing board games I have occasionally managed to roll absurd streaks of sixes.

[Sir_Dr_D]

Why would it be impossible for a flagellant to kill a king of flames in one shot? It is possible for anyone to get a luck shot in. I think the fact that this can happen makes dominions more realistic then D&D type games.

[Endoperez]

It's so unlikely that it could be said to be impossible. Being able to hit someone with thrice as much defense as you have attack is possible, given a lucky strike. Being able to deal damage through prot 34 is even less likely, for a total dam 13 (3 weapon + 10 str) or so attack. Dealing 34! points of damage is possible, but highly unlikely, and dealing it through 40 points of protection from armor and shield...twice in the same minor battle!

[sector24]

All I know is one time a Phalanx sunk my Battleship in Civ and I never trusted computers ever again...

[Beorne]

Sir_Dr_D said:
This is one one of the advantages of dominions. No combatant is invincible.

No combatant is invincible but with the proper tactic. Being severely horror marked and attacked by 10 horrors is a thing, being killed by a flagellant is another.
It is simply not possible.
Three turns ahead the brother of that king of fire, much better equipped with MR of 26 has been burned by the "mind attack from the distance" spell (I don't remember the name) cast by a mage without penetration bonus.
After some calculus it had less than .1% of possibility. Along the king of fire there were due priest with mr 11 and both resisted the spell.
There are some well hidden malicious random generator number bugs around ...