I am trying to create a decent workaround for the bug where tax collectors don't respawn after they are killed. It sucks to work your way up to a level 3 palace only to end up with two measly tax collectors walking around.
So I need ideas for a functional and balanced workaround since I can't figure out how to get 6 to respawn with a level 3 palace. Just brainstorming I have considered: Increasing their HP so they don't die as often, removing tax collectors as a target for monsters, increasing their walking speed, or giving dead collectors the ability to be resurrected.
That last one is the reason for this topic because I inadvertently stumbled on something we may be able to work with. By changing a few files I made it so dead tax collectors go to the graveyard. Unfortunately they only respawn half way and disappear, but a few good things came of this. First, only heroes go to the graveyard so my collectors are now level 1 heroes with around 130HP instead of 35. It's the perfect amount so they don't die right away but still can't survive for long unprotected.
Second, they now keep a very small portion of collected taxes. I think it adds to the flavor of the game, it can be considered wages or corruption. It also breaks up the 100% economy though the amounts are too small to really disrupt anything. It seemed like they took 5%-10% but I didn't pay close attention.
Third, it creates another bug in the spawn rates, but this one is in our favor. I came up with bugged settings that result in 2/3/7 while always respawning 4 collectors instead of just two. I also came up with 2/2/6 that always respawns 6, but I didn't like how there was no bonus for a level 2 palace. I'll keep trying to hit the magic numbers of 2/4/6 with 6 always respawning.
Fourth, a message now pops up telling me when a tax collector has been killed. A small but useful feature.
So where do I go from here? What kind of alternative settings should I shoot for, taking balance into consideration?
So I need ideas for a functional and balanced workaround since I can't figure out how to get 6 to respawn with a level 3 palace. Just brainstorming I have considered: Increasing their HP so they don't die as often, removing tax collectors as a target for monsters, increasing their walking speed, or giving dead collectors the ability to be resurrected.
That last one is the reason for this topic because I inadvertently stumbled on something we may be able to work with. By changing a few files I made it so dead tax collectors go to the graveyard. Unfortunately they only respawn half way and disappear, but a few good things came of this. First, only heroes go to the graveyard so my collectors are now level 1 heroes with around 130HP instead of 35. It's the perfect amount so they don't die right away but still can't survive for long unprotected.
Second, they now keep a very small portion of collected taxes. I think it adds to the flavor of the game, it can be considered wages or corruption. It also breaks up the 100% economy though the amounts are too small to really disrupt anything. It seemed like they took 5%-10% but I didn't pay close attention.
Third, it creates another bug in the spawn rates, but this one is in our favor. I came up with bugged settings that result in 2/3/7 while always respawning 4 collectors instead of just two. I also came up with 2/2/6 that always respawns 6, but I didn't like how there was no bonus for a level 2 palace. I'll keep trying to hit the magic numbers of 2/4/6 with 6 always respawning.
Fourth, a message now pops up telling me when a tax collector has been killed. A small but useful feature.
So where do I go from here? What kind of alternative settings should I shoot for, taking balance into consideration?