loialarent

Join Date 06/2008

Create-A-Hero

For those who want a custom all-star

For most of these Fantasy 4x games, the center point of focus (after the player) seems to be the Heroes. Heroes being a powerful unit that can have multiple abilities, lead your troops, and generally be awesome. Most of these Heroes are pre-created warriors that only have a base level of personality. I'm thinking there should be a rather nice in-depth Hero Creator. But what features would be good for said creator? I have a few ideas of my own and I hope that you can bolster the idea.

The Cosmetics - Customizable features that do not alter the hero in any real way to the game mechanics.
- Name
- Hair/Eye Color
- Portrait
- History
- Misc. Information
Race and Class - Choosing different race/class combonations really makes what your character is. The Race could determine its base/extended abilities as well as bonus points.
- Race
  - Human - Base race. Does not have full access to every ability but gets more points to apply to various skills.
  - [Custom Race] - Your own custom race. Can choose various abilities that it excells at.
- Base Class
  - Recruit (Warrior) - Base warrior class. Offers the best physical/offensive skillset available.
  - Hunter (Archer) - Base Ranged/Physical class. Offers tracking and survival skillsets.
  - Acolyte (Priest) - Base Defensive magic class. Healing, buffs, debuffs skills.
  - Initiate (Mage) - Base Offensive magic class. Direct damage, hindering effects, movement skills.
  - Catpurse (Thief) - Base stealth class. Allow snaking and backstab and stealing skills.
- Advanced Class - Not chosen when created, but something to think about down the road. Each class could have several tiers and several possible class choices.
  - Recruit -> Swordsman (Better with sword/shield combo, has some defensive skills) or Warrior (Better with axes and direct damage)
  - Hunter -> Marksman (skill with bow unmatched) or Ranger (Allows decent melle skills)
  - Etc...
Attributes and Abilities
- Stats
  - Strength - Physical Damage
  - Toughness - HEalth, Damage Resist.
  - Agility - Avoid physical attacks
  - Perception - Ranged Damage, To Hit
  - Will - Magic Resist, magical powers
  - Charisma - Ability to lead
- Base Ability
  - Health
  - Mana
  - Movement
  - Leadership - Higher leadership increases abilities of folloing units. Raises their morale, etc.
  - Upkeep - Cost to keep unit. LAck of upkeep lowers loyalty.
  - Loyalty - How often a Hero will follow orders. Heroes are smart too! They dont want to go single-handedly against something if there is a 1% success ratio...unless they really trust you. Will increase over time and winning battles.
- Extended Abilities - These abilities are determined first by Race/Class combonations, then by training. Every level gives you points to distribute. These are some examples.
  - Proficiency with [Weapon] - Grants bonus to attack/damage with weapon.
  - Light Step (Stelth Lvl 1) - Units with perception less than 4 unable to see unit.
  - Magic Use (Arcane or Divine) - Allows use of particular type of magic, dependant on Will ability.
  - Magic Specialization - Choose a particular type of magic to become MUCH better at it. Damage + and new spells.
  - Channelled Being - Allows unit to access special skills not normally allowed to his race.
  - Demon Form(May Require Channeled Being) - Hero can transform to demon, adding +5 to each attribute and gibing him several spells. Loyalty decreases with every use.
Training - The Hero will need to be trained somehow. More than likely, a building of some sort. Gathering Hall, Tavern, Inn, something. The Hero will cost a certain amount based on items chosen. Cannot create a higher level hero without certain techs reseached.

So these are just some thoughts here. I saw this post is similar to some out there, and for that I am sorry. But please, lemme know what you think. Modify, etc. Mainly, just think. Digest what I offer. Thanks! ^^

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Related Topics -

Making Heroes Interesting... by aeon
- https://forums.elementalgame.com/337957

Last Edit - 1/29 - 15:28 PST

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Name:    Rottic
Hair/eye: Black/dark brown
portrait: *none right now, but he's a tan guy*
History:   He got his start riding around town upon an old donkey. He was not particularly bright, but he had a strong spirit and was able to get things done. "There's Rottic sitting on his ass again" the towns folk called him in jest, since he was really compitant dispite his foolish nature.   One day he and his ass took out some aggressors threatening a few children, and from then on he has been taking on bigger and bigger challanges.  Now he is a hero of the land and will stop at nothing to bring peace to all gentle souls.   He knows that someday he will have to get a new noble steed since his donkey is quite old, so he's keeping a lookout for any other strong-back and strong willed creatures to ride.

Race: Human (and his ass is of course a donkey)
Class: Warrior base

Major stats
Strength
Toughness
Will

Weak stats
Perception
Charisma

Abilities:
Super-mount (+ speed, +attack to mount over what the mount would have on other heroes)
Smells bad (-1 moral of people with him)
Dumb Luck
Self sufficient (low upkeep)
Stubborn (Both he and his mount are stubbern. They get bonus to mind effecting abilities like fear or charm, and only are effected by moral effects more than +1 or less than -1)

Advance class-up >  exotic rider (rides a gorilla) > mount master (rides a bear)

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Wow, Very nicely done! Qute happy the way that looks. ^^

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I am very happy to hear you like it

I'll make more once I'm done creating that faction for Luckmann. I'll even update it with a picture if I can get my photoshop to install on Win 7 (haven't tried yet).

Creating interesting characters (heroes or otherwise) is my favorite thing (other than spending time with lovely ladies or upgrading my computer). So I WILL return

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Quoting landisaurus,

reply 2

Name: Rottic
Advance class-up > exotic rider (rides a gorilla) > mount master (rides a bear)

I would rather ride a super model

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Quoting Martimus,

reply 5

I would rather ride a super model

Amen

But a guy that has the special ability "smells bad" enough that the ENTIRE ARMY suffers moral because of it, then I'd say the gorilla or bear is the best he's going to get.

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Wintersong

Join Date 07/2006

+235

You could always have the super model to get her smell sense neutered (or whichever the proper word is).

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I think the most important aspect is that if you put a super model in heavy plate armour they tend to move a tad sluggishly... they're a liability on the battlefield people!

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Jonny, that is a very good point. Super Models are not very quick, strong, or anything. So Rottic probebly wouldn't even really be that interested in riding one (unlike me. Its a sacrifice I'd be willing to make provided I got to pick the super model) Rottic is very simple minded.

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Hahaha. Super Model Mount, +1 Morale, +1 Charisma, +++ Upkeep >.>

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Yay, super model cavalry

Avatar Lols!

supermodel cavalry

New avatar for who wants it

Somebody has to make it once we get our custom unit creator.

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HAha, amazing. I'm all for it. ::added to profile::

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Quoting landisaurus,

reply 11

Yay, super model cavalry

Avatar Lols!

New avatar for who wants it

Somebody has to make it once we get our custom unit creator.

That is pure awesomeness!

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Name: Julius the bard
Hair/eye: light brown hair / hazel eyes (hair tied into large braids that go down to lower back. Very bright clothing)
portrait: (comming soon)
History: He started as a poor pickpocket/begger as a child who was recruited by a circus for his slight of hand tricks. He learned acting and swordplay as part of the proformances given to entertain villages. Sadly the circus was attacked by merauders and they were broken up by related deaths. Julius set off on his own to bring joy to the world through song and story. He cares little for other laws, provided that people are happy around him. He let himself become a hero for a channeler so he has direct contact with other legends to be that will be the base of his stories.

Race: Human
Class: Catpurse

Major stats:
Will
Charisma

weak stats:
strength

Abilities:
inspiring song: +3 moral to all units in army
invigoring chant: (1/battle) target other unit gets to move a 2nd time
not really a thief anymore: -1 to normal catpurse/thief abilities

Advance class-up > war virtuoso > Legendary muse

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I feel inspired...

Name: Leo
Hair/eye: dirty blonde / brown (short cut hair with loose fitting martial arts outfit)
portrait: (less likely than Julius, but maybe)
History: Leo was a young noble son who was put out of his rich life at a young age due to financial issues in his family. He was taken under the wing of a less wealthy uncle who taught him to dance and fight with almost every martial weapon available. Some elements of the noble life were pounded into him such as proper mannors and respect all he meets. He gained respect for people who actually do something with their lives, rather than sit around on piles of wealth to just eventually go to the poor house the way the rest of his family did. Upon coming of age, he set out to make a name for himself, looking towards the military struggles of the time as a means to do so. He uses his ability to dance to enhance his fighting skills, and

Race: Human
base Class: Warrior

Major stats:
Strength
Agility

weak stats:
Will

Abilities:
Dance fighting: Rhythmatic and practiced movement work to gain extra attacks in combat (+2 attacks)
two-weapon proficiency: has been trained to fight effectivly with a weapon in both hands
weapon jack-of-all-trades: Has been trained on many weapons and can easily adjust his fighting style to use any others (can use all weapons)

Advance Class-up > weapon master > "living tornado of weapons"

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Philocthetes

Join Date 10/2003

+153

Back when I could get a weekly fix for my tabletop RPG habit, I really loved sketching stuff like landi's several offerings in this thread. But now all he's really doing is fueling my appetite for more on the Elemental back story and more on the custom-content mechanics.

Just how bad was that cataclysm? Is there anything like a legacy aristocracy that might toss out a miscreant son like Leo? If the official back story has no room for a champion like Leo, will the custom-content functionality enable landi to build a home for him? Inquiring minds want to know.

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I'm on a roll!

Name: Commiac
hair/eye: Red hair, brown eyes (big bushy beard)
Portrait: (see above)
Base class: Acolyte/priest

History: Ever since his youth, Commic has been deticated to his lord. He is deticated to spreading the world of his god and to protecting the weak. He forswore his love and other earthy emotions to better his pursuit of his savior.

Strong stats:
Toughness
Will

weak stats:
Agility

Abilities:
Life spells: He follows the type of magic that is most apprpriate to doing his savior's will (protection and healing)
Large shield: This guy toats a freakin' tower shield. (see "large shield" in MoM)
Full armor: He is capable of wear all armor including full plate armor and anything else.

Advanced class dev > archpriest > holy avatar

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So, found a mount that is better than... braes.

I wish they make a lot of portraits and make a big customizability for the Channeler is the one character that can represent the player like said. Maybe even at the multiplayer games, players can have it's own more personalized Channeller, like pictures and some colors maybe. The heroes, I think you find them along your jorney and they might be random in the looks and we can't change them. But the Channeler is always a mage only.

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good question. I would make him a custom hero if nothing else (since obviously I would have limets) or maybe my own mod. I mean I imagine his existing family would be something similar to the families I mention in my fan-faction Impural in Luckmann's empire thread. It could be part of the early families that rebuilt (since it would not be turn 1 that he appears after all, allowing for him to be 2nd or 3rd generation)

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Name: Freed

hair/eye color: black (short mullet hair)

portrait: coming soon

history: He was a premature birth which was seen as a bad omen and unmanly of his father, as a result he was abused and treated poorly. He grew cold and unloving of others, especially after some rough conflicts involving local waring states. After a tramatic experiance involving being captured by a war-group, he left his home to become a bounty hunter. He collected his prized weapon, which was once said to be a curse blade but does not seem to effect him.

Major stats:
Strength
Toughness
Agility

weak stats:
Will (magic resist)
Charisma

special Abilies:
Special sword: This sword perminantly gives the cursed status effect to holder. The swor bypasses any weapon resistances of enemies.

Extreme luck: The luck variable on his attacks and saves make a greater difference than others.

already Cursed: Negates curse status effects (including his sword's)
Well prepared: In addition to swords, he also can use bows, crossbows, and guns. He almost always has a back-up ranged weapon on him with at least a few shots (maybe limited ammo)

Advanced class dev > Weapon master > Cursed one (werewolf?)

This is actually a modified version of one of my more developed characters by the same name I created in my spare time before. Full story here (word doc format), though while the setting is post-apocolyptic it is supposed to be vampire hunter D type setting over Master of Magic type setting.

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create a character: Fan service series (I plan to make more of these. It labels it to be an un-original character that I hope will bring a smile to everybody's face)

Name: Bob the builder

Hair/eye color: brown (wears hardhat)

portrait:

history: For as long as he can remember Bob has loved building things. He may be crazy as he often finds himself talking to his favorite chariot, crane, and wagon, but the man's so talented that nobody brings it up. He helps with any building construction, and he is extremely talented with architecture which makes him a valuable resource when trying to destroy it on the battle field.

Major stats:
Toughness (this guy is so tough, he doesn't need safty eye protection)
Perception
Charisma

weak stats:
Will

Abilities:
(overland) building help > when stationed in a city, Bob's inteligance is added as work output of the town towards any building construction.

Seige expert: All seige equipment in army gain bonus damage when with Bob

This-vehicle-is-my-friend: 1/battle > calls to his new best friend, <target seige weapon>, who gets a free attack to show Bob how much he loves him.

Advance class up > Bob the un:builder > Bob the master architech

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Philocthetes

Join Date 10/2003

+153

Bob the Builder reminds me how much I want to see some sort of units (specialized champions or maybe just an 'officer class') that are for non-combat stuff. I'm sure I'd experiment with essence investing in someone who came along and was able to get my construction crews to build faster and/or better. He needs a connection to Earth at the very least.

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Yeah, well he's obviously very specilized. He I think would be best if there were limited hero slots original MoM style, because you'd have to sacrifice one of the 6 spaces for a guy who builds faster. Is it worth it? I'd say yes, especially early game. Late game? probebly not, since you need to focus on building armies, not buildings (then again, the bonuses to seige might make it worth it again. I imagine he sees a chariot or catapult with a huge cartoony face)

So, GW Swicord, how would you change him? I'd like to see your version of "bob the builder" hero.

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Quoting landisaurus,

reply 23

Haha you definitely brought a smile to my face with that one

That said, noooo! No hero limits! It's already planned for there to be sacrifices in having lots of heroes - essence. Personally I think that's a much better tradeoff than, "Oh noez, I only have one more spot for a hero!" It's such an artificial limitation and it doesn't scale with anything (it could be a game option, but it still doesn't scale dynamically with in-game situations). Instead of "Do you sacrifice one of 6 spaces for a guy who builds faster?" it's, "Do I invest all this essence into a guy who builds faster?"

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Philocthetes

Join Date 10/2003

+153

Re hard caps on champion units, I'm solidly with pigeon. (And please, feel free to call me GW--that 'handle' is an accident from my ancient registration of GalCiv1--I had no idea it was associated with a forum sprawl).

Re my Bob remark, I wasn't thinking of changing him, I was just repeating my hope that not all champion units will be combat-oriented. I really want to see things like Champion Builders, Champion Farmers, Champion Smiths, Champion Alchemists, etc.

That sort of thing would be even more fun in combo with administrator slots for population centers and a unit type that sits between combat regulars and champions (an 'officer/administrator' class). That way, we'd have another set of choices similar to the six-slot limit--do you put that champion to work in their area of expertise, or do you sacrifice some of the gain you'd get from doing that in exchange for doing something like helping a city specialize in training warriors, building weapons, training medics, or whatnot.

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