Gauging interest in a Dominions Roguelike...

[Kristoffer O]

Some thoughts on the game system.

Some have said that you should use the dominins combat system. I'm not sure if this is a good idea. I like the dominins combat system, but I think it wouldn't fit a rougelike very well.

Most roguelikes focus on character development. Your character begins the game as a looser that kills puny monsters. When you have killed enough puny monsters you can go on and fight more powerful monsters. Unless there is a steep development of your character's combat abilities there is not much reward in the killing. If you have the same problems killing a bear for the first time or the 101st time as you have killing a warden for the first time you will not feel as if you have progressed. Resistance will never change and you do not need to (or have the ability to) increase your power to enter the magic keep or horrible dungeon. You will always be good or bad depending on your startup. Some kind of research would of course alleviate this problem if you have a magically adept character.

If you use the dominions system progression will have to focus on the story instead, more like a regular pen and paper RPG (not AD&D). This might be good, but it leaves the rougelike gameplay and demands a lot more of the plot (which would not be replayable infinitely).

Dominions does not focus on development as much as quantity and deployment of troops and equipment. The magic system is an exeption. I believe that characters in a rougelike needs a means to achieve great powers (compared to the beginning character) if the game is to be replayable for any length of time. The combat system of dominions is good, but does not allow much development. Artifacts can boost a character, but very few humans can become SC's in the dominions system.

I would prefer to see wardens very powerful and not something slightly better than a tower guard.

The 2d6 system of dominions might be used, but stats should be increasable to high levels.


Hmm, I'm starting to suspect that I misunderstood what you meant by using the dominions combat system. Good luck anyway. I have started the Great Waiting.

I wonder if I would prefer to play or fight wardens, guardians and other national troops? Dark blue 'G' surrounded by green 'W'.