Re: CF: combat proposal (long)

[William Tanksley <wtanksle@ucsd.edu>]

On Sun, 22 Sep 1996, Ivan Avramovic wrote:

> As for spicing up combat, I have a suggestion that doesn't involve actually
> changing combat mechanics.  I suggest that instead of using strings telling
> you that you grazed, hit, or killed the enemy, use more dramatic strings like
> "you bloodied the orc", "you pound the zombie into a pulp", etc.

I hate being forced to look at those things, though-- they're nice, but 
once you find out that they mean absolutely nothing they're a real pain.

I would enjoy a combat system that was fairly simple to use yet offered 
variety.  The original suggestion was amusing enough, but I don't really 
think it's sufficient.  For an example, look at Omega.

In Omega, any physical attack (i.e. one delivered by weapon) is delivered 
over one of three attack lines: high, medium, or low.  Blocking is also 
constrained to those levels.  If a monster attacks high while you're 
blocking high you have a chance to block the blow.  To change the way you 
attack and block, you use the F command, within which you get to arrange 
your attacks (of which you get a limited number, as permitted by your 
DEX) as follows:

lunge high (2 attacks)
riposte center (2 attacks)
thrust center (1 attack)
thrust low (1 attack)
block high (1 attack)
block low (1 attack)
  = 8 attacks.  (Omega's maximum.)

As you can see, certain moves use more of your attack points than others, 
but produce more interesting effects.  A riposte provides the same 
blocking power as a block, but upon success allows you an ordinary attack 
down the same line with slightly improved chances.  A lunge is more 
powerful than an attack and has a better chance of hitting.  (Both 
ripostes and lunges only apply to certain types of weapons.)

Now, certain monsters are limited in how they can attack you (or I should 
say that you can defend from several of their lines of attack in only one 
of your lines).  As you play you'll notice that (say) an alligator always 
attacks low, and so when you go against an alligator you'll always reset 
your fighting options to ignore the upper lines (although you can still 
attack an alligator from any line).

I think a system like this would do a lot for Crossfire.  It would fit in 
well with the general system, and it could easily be made more 
automated-- for example, you could gain experience in a "Bladework" skill 
every time you learn about a new attack from a different monster (for 
instance, when your character first notices that alligators attack only 
in the low lines, and goblins attack only in low and center).  The higher 
your bladework skill is, the more likely that any familiar attack would 
automatically be met with a rearrangement of your bladework.

This could even take the place of normal experience bonuses for fighting!

In addition, it allows for a Verbosity option, so people that like to see 
all the words can get full descriptions of the fight:

The orc lunges low.  You parry the plow, and attempt a riposte.  The orc 
blocks the riposte.

And so on.

Mixed with the different attack types previously covered, this gives not 
only colorful descriptions but also a truly useful, fun, and logical 
experience system for fighters.

>                     -Ivan

-Billy