So how about extending the depth of the casting queue?

[Ironhawk]

Originally posted by Blitz:

1) Cast Only

I'm a big fan of this idea. If I'd seen this thread I would have posted my comments here instead of starting a new one. Regardless a command of this kind seems like a simple and powerful addition that the devs could make. Plus it won't be unbalancing cause you are trading off versatility for predictability in combat.

Originally posted by Demosthenes:
I am also of the opinion that most of time the spellcasting AI makes fairly reasonable decisions. Its just that the unreasonable ones are so silly that they stand out as a "vocal minority". I have also seen infantry, cavalry and archers make some ridiculous targetting decisions or routing in a won battle.

So I reiterate that the current level of mage control is scaled appropriately with the total level of tactical combat control in Dom2.

That's not really my experience. It probably depends on which mages you're talking about of course; ones with a fairly narrow range of spells often make OK choices (my N3 druids often more-or-less default to Relief, which is super). On the other hand my Arco Mystics - thanks to 2 astral and up to three elemental paths - have an enormous range of battlefield spells, and don't they just like to try them all? All the shields first, naturally. It's not the occassional really stupid/suicidal decisions that I notice - they're always good for comedy value - it's the turn after turn of just failing to contribute anything useful to the battle.

To reiterate back; the design and the concept are great. The execution - depending as it does on quality AI - is spotty. If a player doesn't have control, and can't trust the AI, then he's doomed to frustration.

[Demosthenes]

Originally posted by Mark the Merciful:
If a player doesn't have control, and can't trust the AI, then he's doomed to frustration.

For the most part I would agree. Doomed is a bit strong of a word. But in a competitive situation it could be the case.

I will admit to never playing Arco past Turn 10 or so; But the 3 path Machakans seem to do alright. I do hate when they cast Fire Shield/Ironskin as soon as the script runs out even though the enemy is routing and they could get another kill or three.

I stand by my initial assertion though because, this means that expanding the casting list would just be a bandaid-fix to what is really bothering most players, the AI. Not that the level of control available over mages is inadequate to the design.

I would surely love to see a "do not cast" list or a checklist system in place but that doesn't seem to be as likely as a bit of AI improvement.

[Yossar]

I would much rather have a better casting AI than a longer queue. But I don't know if that will happen until Dom 3. Being able to tell a mage to just cast one or two spells would be really nice, though. But I very rarely need a queue of different spells to go beyond six or seven. Most SCs will run out of fatigue by then anyway.

[Kel]

"*cough*...*ahem*...is this thing on ?"
"Testing..1..2..3.."
"Ok, all mages please report to tent 12 where official spellbooks will be distributed by the labmaster general."
"Per article 13a, governing Battlefield Magic & Authorized Application, any mage caught with a spellbook not authorized by his commanding Special officer or using other unauthorized magic means or paraphernalia, may face severe penalties, ranging from demotion for minor deviations to feebleminding for repeated offenses."
"You may now return to your normal research...Dismissed!".

- Kel

[Cainehill]

Originally posted by Demosthenes:
I will admit to never playing Arco past Turn 10 or so; But the 3 path Machakans seem to do alright. I do hate when they cast Fire Shield/Ironskin as soon as the script runs out even though the enemy is routing and they could get another kill or three.

That's not nearly as bad as when the mages either start : casting useless spells that use gems (summoning elementals after the enemy has routed); casting spells that start frying their own troops (Breath of Winter). Nothing like a mage killing of her own bodyguards.

[Huzurdaddi]

I have little desire to make SC's more powerful.

If the bottom list had "Continue Casting this spell" in addtion to "Cast spells" I would be a happy camper.

It would make things *much* easier on those of us who actually like using mages instead of SC's. But if I have to join the dark side I guess I must!