Posts made by Darian

@fibs I'd argue that the sword moves around completely different from an ax and a mace. So is the spear different from glaives or halberds. They have completely different mechanics. The balancing is indeed an issue. Since in reality, plate armor makes you invulnerable to arrows and lightweight cutting implements like cutting centered swords, light axes, and such. While thrusting implements are only effective if highly precise, hitting gaps like visor, armpit, which the wearer will usually protect. The halberd was a dominant weapon in late XVI century because it was outright better. Video games usually mix "medieval weapons" from different time periods and try to balance the sword and board of the IX-th century, with the full plate and halberd of the XVI-th century. There are 700 years of technological evolution between the two. So, balancing them will never feel right. Just take the game for what it is, and enjoy your time!

@logain I think I wasn't clear in my statement. You don't "let people think". You present game mechanics without tagging them. It is the labels that drive people off due to previous unsatisfying experiences with that label. But no two games are ever identical.

Settling for a certain niche is certainly a bold move that would greatly improve the experience of those who fit the niche. Still, from a marketing perspective is not very wise to cut off everyone else unless you already have a strong resource flow, and your niche audience is large enough to support your project. It's pretty risky business. So it's better if you have your target set for yourself, but allow your project cater to a larger audience, at least a bit.

@ildirettore The game already has an entire martial school that focuses on unarmed combat.

@prometheus I think having trade treatises would open up some very neat game-play elements like imposing embargoes, controlling resource flows and so on. Would be a nice feature, if it's not too hard to implement.

Trade agreements should definitely be in... they would bring amazing game-play. Imagine setting up trade caravans with resources that one guild has in abundance and the other has a lack of, while adversary guilds are trying to intercept them and hinder the economy of their foes. This could also lead into treachery and drama that would make the world of Elysium outshine even AAA Hollywood productions

@lohen That's a very solid point you have. I'd approach this by giving different attributes to different types of armor. Not different in the sense that one is straight stronger than the other, but each would favor a different play stile. Let's say beast-men armor will be less encumbering and allow slightly faster movement, human armor would provide slightly better defense and daemon armor gives a small damage buff. So for example, if you are a human who favors speed, you might be looking for beast-men armor and be willing to pay more for it.

I think there's room for both open world dungeons and instanced ones. For example, the instanced ones could be challenges issued by gods to see whether their followers are worthy to champion in Their name. This way, only the party that was called forth to the challenge can enter the portal leading to a special area where the god has prepared his trials. The rewards could be some interesting thematic buffs to your party for like a week or something.

For the open world dungeons we could have in game mechanics that limit the number of players who can reach the dungeon like having to cross a river but the raft that takes you there only goes once every half an hour and can only take a certain number of players. Or if there will be player collision, have very powerful telegraphed aoe attacks from monsters that would limit the number of players who can fit into the safe zones. There may also be other traps and puzzles that force players to approach the end boss in small groups only and and also to leave the area quickly once the boss dies, like toxic gasses, perhaps a powerful explosion or a swarm of monsters that players simply cannot fight off for too long.

Really strong topic here. I'd approach it from two different perspectives.
1 realistic.

• Most exotic weapons in history are not really weapons, but tools that are re-purposed for fighting due to various reasons (real weapons where generally of limits for certain social classes or simply forbidden in certain areas like within an adversary's home). Even though they get the job done, and are actually very good at some niche actions, they are generally less efficient then actual weapons.
• I'd like to see differentiation that actually makes sense between weapons. Like, the spear is only threatening at a distance but once the opponent breaks in and body slams, the spear becomes useless. A mace swings really hard and will knock you off balance, but locks you into the swing and provides very little parry chance while a sword is excellent for parrying and very nimble allowing feints and multiple quick strikes, but can only use aimed thrusts and halfswording against heavy armor since no blade is ever going to cut through metal. I'd also add in grappling since it was a major aspect of medieval fighting. Perhaps, you could have a single 1h sword user get a major bonus for grappling since he has a free hand. Also contextual use of environment, like using a lamp, flask, tankard or even a chair to block or throw at your opponent and stagger them for just a bit. Also, cape... throughout history capes have been used along with single handed swords to block, tangle your opponents weapon or hinder his vision for a split second, just enough to open him/her up for a quick jab.
• pole weapons... all kinds of pole weapons

2 Plain Fantasy.

• flint daggers
• clawed whips
• roped arrows
• some pole weapon with a war hammer on one end and a double bladed ax on the other.
• focusing gauntlets that allow you to cast a certain spell at a massively reduced cost.
• limb mutations that prevent you from using weapons but provide all sorts of random new combat mechanics. This should be permanent though.
• musical instruments
• a wasp hive
• seduction
• a banner
• mechanical suit with steam blasters and sawblades

Oh well, the list is getting way too long now, so I'll stop here.

@esher It is my duty to ensure that every dweller of this world will enjoy the exquisite experience of having a chat and a few ales in the Fractured Fist Tavern. Would it not be a pity to miss out on the marvel? I don't need customers. They come, they eat, they drink, they pay, and go. I need friends, and their stories. I need you to find comfort and community whenever you drop by! I need you to impatiently wait for the few moment's you'll spend in my tavern after your hard day of adventuring, looking forward to hear the latest saga the bards will sing!

Congratulations! Now you can all drop by The Fractured Fist Tavern and celebrate. I have prepared a huge keg of my special ale to honor the occasion! First round's on me! Cheers!

@jetah This has nothing to do with skill... it has everything to do with physics. Without grounding you loose control of weight. A skilled archer will shoot his bow with less accuracy and a lot less range and power if he moves while shooting. As for swinging a sword, let me put it this way: swinging it while moving away from your target will cause a minor cut, most likely not enough to get through a thick linen gamberson, so it's almost useless . Swinging it with proper grounding (stepping into the swing) will server the goddamn limb along with the gamberson.
@tulukaruk yes, that's exactly what i'm saying. Stopping to properly take that shot makes a huge difference. Especially when talking about ranged weapons. Even special forces using modern weapons are trained to stop and take aim before they shoot. And this is true even for pistols. In fact tests have proven that trained shooters (law enforcement) will miss a center of mass at 7 to 10 meters about 80% of the time if they shoot without taking aim. Running and gunning is just over the top, kids impressing material. Now yes, this is a game, it is fantasy, but even fantasy needs to have some grounding into reality, otherwise it will make no sense whatsoever, and any super power will feel meaningless. Take warframe for eg. It's a cool game, but the space ninja, parcour thing gets really dull really fast, and people who play this game, play it for everything else there is to it and no one ever uses the ninja moves past their first few hours in the game, unless they are required to get to a specific spot.

@genobee Find the closest HEMA or Bow Shooting club and drop by for a day! See if you can swing with good edge alignment/shoot accurately while running backwards and slightly to your right. Then tell us whether you still think maneuvering around the battlefield should be easy to do.

@jonny the very best you'll find in all the three planets of Elysium. Here's yours! Cheers!

@alagerknightofthemoon The tavern is already here, my friend, and you are a customer! Cultural diversity is not a thing that should be ruled. It should be welcomed. If one has an issue with my Daemon patrons, i invite him/her to speak their mind openly before them and vice-versa. Should words not suffice, they are welcome to take the matter into the brawling pit and let their own determination and skill, or perhaps God's favor, decide. I believe in everyone's right to express his thoughts. Let each judge for himself, the value of one's words. But make know mistake, fair friend... one that cannot back his word with actions, will soon be judged worthless by his peers.

@esher The taint of chaos relishes where there is ignorance and sows distrust. Discordia is a powerful daemon that thrives whenever greed or arrogance drives us to play the "divide et impera" card. A sad story, yet truer these days, then ever before!

@kralith You've made the right decision!... Come, sit beside the fireplace! This ale should quench your thirst. There's boar stew in the cooking pot. Help yourself and tell us. Who is your dad? How could we recognize him? Perhaps him and you are more alike than you think, and he dropped by The Fractured Fist as well.

@vezlin Yup, I certainly think this would work. Perhaps players could have daily jobs related to crafting professions through which they contribute to the growth of a city in exchange for currency and reputation (which could translate in better prices, or access to certain commodities like bank-space or advanced workshops).

@esher I guess the stereotypical Daemon is just, that ... a stereotype! Apologies if I have offended you in any respect. Here! This one's on the hose!