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The Fifth Slot

  • Travio
  • 01/28/2013 07:56 AM
  • 1217 views
So, as I'm working feverishly on getting the first chapter of the game done, I had an idea to discuss some of the changes and updates I'm making to provide some additional mechanics and features throughout the game. Only that which is near feature-complete will be discussed here, so pretty much everything I discuss here is either final or near-final (and those near-final features are mostly just a matter of balancing numbers).

This particular feature will make a difference in some of the more closely tuned battles or if you are, perhaps, a little under leveled for the section of the story you're about to embark upon - and some of the battles might be a little rough if you're underleveled, but perhaps it's best to discuss balance and levels at a later time. For now, let us begin with the introduction of a new Legionnaire.

This is Pavan Helmsley, a Garlasin national.


Pavan, while appearing rather heavily armoured, is not a combat character. He may, at times, find himself adventuring with Ridman, however. Pavan is Ridman's personal standard bearer, left behind in Seimu when the party was ambushed by Xaertrix. It's thanks to his quick thinking that the Rebellion learns of Ridman's capture and eventually head for Irassia Prison. When he finally finds himself reunited with the person he believes to be his beloved commander, he fills a new type of character role: Support.

Support characters fill a role in that they assist you in combat but don't directly fight. Pavan, as an example, has a small chance to, at the end of each round, rally a fallen party member and restore them to fighting form with a bit of health. Another support character will heal your characters for a small amount each turn - like a permanent regenerate on the entire party. Most support characters will be optional characters, not required to recruit in the main storyline - of the four available in the game, only Pavan is recruited during the course of the main story. He hopes you'll make good use of him in your battles.

These characters won't take up a slot in your party - you'll still be able to select four characters as normal. Instead, they will fill a new support character slot which will allow you to bring exactly one of these individuals along to assist you. Each, as I mentioned above, will be helpful in their own circumstance and each provide a unique ability to make your life just a little easier. You never know when an extra little bit of health or your ally popping back up will be the difference between a total party kill and victory.

As always, questions and comments are more than welcome and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Posts

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I like this idea, it reminds me of 'Dark Chronicle' where you added the aid of extra characters go give bonuses without dragging them around full time. There's great scope for a huge amount of customization in party format and tactics here!
I think the fifth slot sounds great. If its easy enough for you to do.
Coding is already in place for both Pavan and Gordon - that being the character who provides the permenant 'regenerate' effect - despite neither character actually showing up in the initial segment of the game that I'm working on (I want sections of code done before I need them to test game balance). The other two are still being poked at - one I'm doing the balance on numbers, and the fourth I'm questioning whether their effect is going to cause the game to be too easy - but will be added into the code as soon as I'm sure their numbers are good.

Also, the game will be tested with Pavan in the party as the support character; as he's the only one that will be recruited by the storyline, I'm not assuming players will have any of the other effects when designing and balancing battles.
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