Fantasy Friday XXIII - Unique Formations Part I

[Yami-Yagari]

kinda looks more like a moon crescent then a serpent, sorry for nitpicking

[nickson104]

Originally Posted by Yami-Yagari

kinda looks more like a moon crescent then a serpent, sorry for nitpicking

A crescent or arc it certainly does resemble, but it doesnt sound as good as serpent formation does it?

[Josh Warner]

Originally Posted by Yami-Yagari

It´s probably just me, but the orcish formations seem to have no disadvantages, except for a faster fatigue drain.

Preliminary testing indicates they're a little on the weak side because of that fatigue drain. In prolonged combat, mainly sieges, they're at a pretty big overall disadvantage. In open field battles they're pretty deadly, but what's stopping your opponent from simply retreating if you decide to advance using those special formations.

It's far more complex than it looks at first glance the balancing act that the orcs and elves undergo. Men are kept simpler, and more versatile but they don't get quite the power boost that elves and orcs get. While elves need to plan their stances ahead of time through proper scouting and require exceptional planning and timing to change stances in combat without wasting the battalion. And orcs of course are the hardest yet to fully utilize, you need to move into the proper formation for the task at hand, and then manage that fatigue. As alex pointed out - formation fatigue drain also means you can't use your other powerful abilities as often, if at all. This won't be as much of an issue with leveled battalions however.

Originally Posted by Darvin

Mechanical question:

How long does it take to assemble into formation? Are there any penalties while you are changing formations?

Right now things are in flux and subject to change, but you might be seeing a short weakened period with switching, or a fatigue cost on top of the minimum required amount. I know off the top of my head right now the elves have a few seconds after exiting their meditation before the bonuses apply. Would have to check the other races.

[blackfang]

can't wait to smash some formations

[Darathor]

Those formations look awesome and really look like they will add much more depth to the gameplay and let the player maybe pull off some awesome stunts occasionally.

Very good showcase, intriguing and it feeds my eternal hunger for all things DoF.

[Aametherar]

~Aametherar chomps on his BBQ'd elf sticks~

Grog say good good! Ork Krush, Ork Kill!

[The Witch King of Angmar]

COOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! I love the unique formations, it adds so much to the game-play! Awesome job!

[Negthareas]

I really like the formations, though it would be nice if they were a little more relevant to the actual stances of the units involved. Once again, men have proved their normality, while orcs and elves need more microing.

[blackfang]

Originally Posted by Negthareas

I really like the formations, though it would be nice if they were a little more relevant to the actual stances of the units involved. Once again, men have proved their normality, while orcs and elves need more microing.

Just to correct that, orcs are not microing they are macroing. Give one the order and you can give them all the very same order, it doesnt matter because they know very little about tactics. They use a tactic commonly known as horde. Which means they rather want to fight one on one inside a huge battle then formation vs formations. So basically put give orcs the charge order and let them do the rest, they are smart enough to know that running away will earn you another pike with a head on when you take over the town

[Yami-Yagari]

Originally Posted by blackfang

So basically put give orcs the charge order and let them do the rest, they are smart enough to know that running away will earn you another pike with a head on when you take over the town

But charging head long into enemies front will definitely earn you cavalry charge in your rear or flanks