Noob questions!

Mortifer · #1 October 9th, 2003, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PDF:
Daynarr,
My "complaint" is that the Arena isn't much fun, mainly cause the reward is fixed and not worth the risk taken if you send a "critical" commander.
The AI abuse issue comes second.
And that's not a big issue anyway

I agree again. Yes if I dont want, I wont abuse the AI, but still it is possible.
We can live with this, I am sure.
But....
The Arena is totally ignored in MP games. No one will enter with good commanders. Not just because they think that they will loose, but they do not want to win at all. Why? Because it is pointless right now as it is.

How to fix the Arena?

1.The champ's prize is not good enough. The prize should be a unique, random, Arena only magic item.
2. The champ should be totally healed.

[ October 09, 2003, 22:51: Message edited by: Mortifer ]

licker · #2 October 9th, 2003, 11:53 PM

Hehe, glad you understand my concern now Daynarr.

I still stand by my initial thought, make it optional and everyone should be molified. I just don't see it as a dynamic the AI can handle appropritately, whether or not its a big deal to the result of the game is beside the point to me, its just annoying to know that the AI is doing something stupid for something pointless in the first place

Psitticine · #3 October 10th, 2003, 03:18 AM

I tend to just ignore the Arena matches when they come up. If the enemy wants to play with the trident, let 'em. Still, it would be interesting to see it spiced up into something more than just another message at the beginning of the turn.

Possibly the introduction of something like a "Category" system would help? There could be a Champion of Mages, a Champion of Fighters, a Champion of Scouts, and so forth. The different battles could come up at different times and each nation can, as now, choose to compete or not. There could be a different prize for each type of champion, something appropriate for their nature, and champions could choose not to play with the penalty of forfeiting their title/item. (One of the problems I have with the Arena is that I can't afford to have one of my best commanders sucked away for a crucial turn. I'd rather have the option to forfeit.)

Maybe the titles could come with a mild bonus (+1?) in terms of a morale lift for their troops. That'd make it more worthwhile to fight, plus it'd make sense that people would feel better being commanded by the Champion of Fighters then Just Some Guy.

If a commander didn't have a certain level of magic power (say, 3, to prevent simply empowering a combat machine to slaughter the enemy mage), then they couldn't enter the Mages' bout. Likewise, if they DO have 3+ in at least one path, they are barred from that competition. If they aren't stealthy or have starting combat stats above a certain theshold, they are barred from the Scouts' battle. Pretenders would be a Category all to themselves.

I don't blame IW for not focusing on this particular issue, since it isn't a major part of the game, but it'd be nice for a role-playing type like myself to see it developed. Of course, they've been very busy doing things for the first patch, such as adding the much-requested support for units that flee combat due to orders rather than rout to remain with their armies if the battle is won.

Wick · #4 October 10th, 2003, 05:02 AM

"2. The champ should be totally healed."

Now _this_ might be a prize worth fighting for!

The scars of old battles and ill magics faded away as the Champion, victorious and purified, set his eye again on conquest...

Saber Cherry · #5 October 10th, 2003, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Psitticine:
they've been very busy doing things for the first patch, such as adding the much-requested support for units that flee combat due to orders rather than rout to remain with their armies if the battle is won.

??? Wow!!! I'll take this over an Arena improvement any day! Which, of course, means that the next day I'll start begging for an Arena tweak

-Cherry

Nerfix · #6 October 10th, 2003, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Psitticine:
Of course, they've been very busy doing things for the first patch, such as adding the much-requested support for units that flee combat due to orders rather than rout to remain with their armies if the battle is won.

This is good, this is very good!
The quality of the game just keeps getting better!
It's gonna be a cold, long winter...

st.patrik · #7 October 10th, 2003, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Psitticine:
Of course, they've been very busy doing things for the first patch, such as adding the much-requested support for units that flee combat due to orders rather than rout to remain with their armies if the battle is won.

Did I read that right - that they only stay with their armies if the battle is won? What about harass 'fire & flee' tactics, where you have no intention of winning, but you want to maintain squad integrity? Is this not being implemented?

I mean, don't get me wrong, what you posted is great - I'm very satisfied. Go Illwinter.