Developer notes

[Alexey Kozyrev]

Hi all,

I'm starting this thread to put some light on what is in development. We are working on MP primary, and hoping that in several weeks it will enter the playable phase. I do not know, when the next patch will be up, yet. I think - when we will have enough changes to make it worth plus some confidence that it will not harm the game. Good news are that yesterday AI learned how to dispel enchantments from heavily buffed opponent units, so it will go to the next patch.

(26th of May) - By the way, what do you think of Lords and Artifacts in Warlock? Do you want to see them included?

(1st of June) - Thanks a lot for your thoughts! I think we now have our vision about Lords and Artifacts. We decided that we want it to be more MOM-style, so every hero will be separate unit with his own skills tree and artifact slots.

Currently we are trying to make the multiplayer work as well as working on Lords, Artifacts e.t.c.
Really considering implementing PBEM (or mordern versions of it), but multiplayer will start in beta without it.

(10th of June) - Pair of days ago we have played our first multiplayer game in Warlock. Found several bugs, but overall it was fun, playing with human feels very different.
We are planning big update on the end of this month.

(8th of July)Hi all, sorry for the long wait. The update is ready, we are waiting for the localisation and should be able to patch the game in two-three next days. Anyway - tommorrow I want to put patchnotes on this forum for you to know what to expect from the update.

I will update thread with more information.

 

[player1 fanatic]

Thanks for update!

 

[The Apprentice]

I think this thread will be very helpful in keeping everyone apprised- looking forward to future posts and an AI that strips buffs (My poor Imp-Advisor!)

 

[Powerslave]

Thanks for the update. Keep up the good work Alexey!

 

[Alexey Kozyrev]

By the way, what do you think of Lords and Artifacts in Warlock? Do you want to see them included?

 

[Galdred]

I thought at first that I would be missing them, but after playing, each unit has sufficient individuality for me not to miss them at all. It really depends on the way they would be implemented : If they don't get too much "in the way"(ie they don't make us spend 33% of your in game time shuffling magic items between lords) and don't turn every other unit into fodder, why not?

 

[vieuxchat]

As Galdred said. Lords aren't really needed. I would prefer more perks for units (like in Elven Legacy), so the higher level ones can feel like Lords.
Artifacts can be interesting if they add a way to cast more spells per turn (You, as a wizard cast only one spell, but give a fireball staff to a unit and you can have 2 fireball per turn). The artfacts like +3power are already implemented in the form of upgrades from the forge and the like.

What would be über-good is a way to create scenarios : triggers and a map editor.

EDIT: The game is already a lot of fun at the moment. Loved the Fantasy Wars/elven Legacy genre and Majesty 2, and Warlock just get the best of the two, for those that like wargames. Just keep with that spirit !

 

[Buladelu]

I think Lords may be implemented as very advanced basic units. F.e. on 10th lvl any unit gets unique name, maybe some special aura or skin so you can see it on the map. He may then get some auxilary force that doesn't make him stronger (he's strong enough already at this state) but gives him something. Like possibility to revive him some time after death. Or random artifact.

About artifacts... If you make some special abilities/artifacts that lay in lairs or belong to neutrals it would add depth to the game. Makes other worlds more useful: overal strength of units there may be lower but they have some artifacts that make them stronger. I assume artifacts go to whoever kills current owner, so those guys should be highlighted and become important targets for other players. Also I think for balance they should give some spell effect, not some static improvement, so that player can't longer cast this spell on unit but it doesn't drain players mana, and player with lots of mana can compensate artifacts with magic.

Also, while we're at it, main lord advantage may lay in using said artifacts. F.e. while most units use only 1 they can use 3 or get additional effects from it.

 

[Skyhunteren]

Lords and artifacts would be a most awesome addition. Putting in some artifacts you can find in the high lvl monster spawn like ogree den would be nice.

 

[unmerged(490512)]

Lords/Heroes would be nice in combination with explorable sites like in AoW/AoW2. I wouldnt really want units that are more powerful (considering the AI struggling as is already)

 

[Prussian Prince]

How about Lords being the leaders of a buffed and upgraded unit. For example...a unit has been upgraded 4 times and then after a battle one of the soldiers in that unit steps up and becomes a Lord/Leader. The unit icon changes to reflect this. This wold add some type of benefit to the unit.

 

[unmerged(487513)]

I did not miss the Lords at all. My elite squadrons are equal to the Lords. This is because the Lords are not upgradeable. I think it will highlight the importance of Lords, especially in late game (when you have Temple Units) if they are upgradeable to stronger version of theirselves, with additional abilities.

Also, I choose for more customization of Great Mages rather than Lords (or Heroes). I think MoM's spell book is interesting mechanic to implement. It will add more flavor for the current magic system too.

 

[Grubnessul]

Who need lords when you have dragons?

In all seriousness, I'd say lords and artifacts would move the balance a bit too much to the RPG side for my taste.

 

[The Apprentice]

By the way, what do you think of Lords and Artifacts in Warlock? Do you want to see them included?

I really enjoyed having my Imp-Advisor from the beginning of the game. Picking one from the start AND knowing I couldn't generate more in game created another dimension to the unit- I wanted him to be the most powerful and I knew he (it?) wasn't expendable. More exclusive lords picked at the beginning would be great, and really differentiate each game played.

For artifacts, I wouldn't want them equipped on individual units- the shuffling and remembering what went where could easily slow down the game. However, if they were empire wide bonuses, that would be awesome. No slow down, and a fun discovery.

Say, a cleared dragon's nest could give the "Fire Orb"- all lava tiles cost -1MP to move. Or all fire damage spells do +3 damage.
The "Archmage's Staff"- all spell casting times reduced by .10. The Ancient Codex- all units gain +1XP turn. Items like that- though obviously balanced better than my thoughts.

Give each one unique 2d art, some treasure room screen to view them, and that would be another DLC I'd jump at.

 

[ColdAshen]

Lords and artifacts would be great, as long as they are well balanced and the AI can use them effectively.

A question, how will DLC be handled between multiplayer opponents?, say if one has DLC and the other does not.

 

[unmerged(485425)]

Thanks for all the up-dates Alexey.

I like the game as it is now and fear artifacts would slow things down a bit too much and as someone said become too RPG like. I have never used the two Lords which came with the pre-order but having a few more unique units like that probably wouldn't be a bad thing as you can choose to use them or not.

Cheers

 

[unmerged(259950)]

I think if you're going to have Lords, you should only be able to have a Lord provided a few things are met.

Firstly, a unit of that type must hit a specific milestone, be it number of units killed, battles fought, tiles traveled, damage dealt, damage taken, or level reached... Perhaps even have it different depending on the Lord in question.

Secondly, have an empire milestone be required... number of harbors, number of graveyards, number of holy grounds, number of elementals destroyed, number of portals within the realm controlled, or number of other great mages encountered. Again, depending on the Lord you're looking to get.

Thirdly, the Lord in question must be of your starting race... As it stands, there isn't enough reason to stick to your core race, this could help.

And of course, you have to have a Hall of Lords built in your capital.

I think to make sure it's worth while after all this, you must upgrade one of the units of that class at the capital. That way the already perked up unit becomes the Lord.

So, if I want to have an Elven, Minotaur, Dwarven, or coloured Dragon Lord, I'm good as long as I control a source for building them in the empire, since they're not actually race-dependent units... But if I want to make a Magister Lord, I would have had to start off Human.

If you're bringing in artifacts, I would want them to have a chance to be race-specific bonuses... You take out some crypt that was protected by vampire lords and find a crown that grants all undead a lesser vampiric effect. Doesn't matter which race you started as, but only one race benefits from it. Make them tradeable and hoardable - I get something I know my next player over really wants and never trade it to them, hell, I trade it to their biggest enemy to help provoke all out battle between the two. Keep which artifacts are out there under wraps though, only the player can reveal what artifacts they have. Of course, you've got to limit how many artifacts are in use by a single player, so perhaps only one crown at a time can be worn, etc... Take out one of the big nasty trees and gain a talisman of growing which each turn for X mana you can turn a plot into a forest.

Perhaps as The Apprentice says, set up a place to see this. So you end up with your Hall of Lords, which shows off your impressive Lords, your Hoard, which shows your collected booty and your portrait, which shows the artifacts you're actively using.

 

[The Apprentice]

A further thought on the topic of Lords: To make them significant, I would enjoy it if each player could only have one Lord at a time/per game. Being able to upgrade the Lord once during the game (a High Lord?) after a series of per-requisites* is met is something I'd enjoy, but others have noted that could make it too rpg-ish, not enough rts.

*Ino-Co is obviously the game designer, but I was thinking a base level for the lord and a special building in the capital with a resource cost or pop-size pre-req. That would add depth to the Lord system, but those who'd rather focus on base units wouldn't be penalized for ignoring the Lord.

So, yes... I guess I'd like Lords and Artifacts in the game. :blush: I'll be quiet now.

 

[unmerged(259950)]

Well, perhaps not limited to a single lord, but a specific set number at the start of the game. If at the start everyone agrees to 5 Lords, that's fine, if they set it to 0 that's fine too.

 

[sputttnik]

By the way, what do you think of Lords and Artifacts in Warlock? Do you want to see them included?

This was one of my favourite features of Master of Magic and would be great in Warlock. I think item enchantment (using a spell - enchant item) would also be a great addition.

Could there be a way of generating Lords and Magic Items with random portraits, names and stats? These could be given as rewards for rare quests or by looting difficult monster huts, particularly when looting in other worlds.