I was going to start a new thread subject about this simular topic, but I think I will just add to you question:  I was about to send all the links to the demo videos to all my gaming friends.  I wanted them to see all the great things about the game, and get excited and buy it too (I preordered the CE).

Then I saw the tactical battle part.  Yikes .  I know it's not the retail/full game.  I know it's not finished yet.  But I chose to not send the #3 video (with the 100+ turns example) to my friends.  The main reason being the tactical battle example looked very, errrr, umm, primative, bland and "meh".  I'm sure (or hoping) the retail version will be much different, and I also understand that was one small unit vs one monster.  And I'm also hoping I just missed seeing the morale meter somewhere.

Anyway, my reason for this message is not to complain or yell "doom" but in in the hopes that an entire demo video will be made of just the tactical battles, to show the masses how great it is.  I don't want people to think that tiny little "right-click bitch slap" was all there is to combat.

I hope stardock will consider making a full video showing all the great combat features, so I can send "that" video to all my friends too.  The battle example in video #3 could really give people the wrong ideal about the combat imo.

P.S.  Please don't get mad at me Frogboy, I just want people to see the best of the game (cringe/flinch) and I don't think that video does the combat part of the game justice at all.  (Ducks and Covers under desk).

If it makes you feel any better, I felt the exact same way. And I too hope that someone at Stardock can make such a video.

This was basically my "complaint" on the GT thread (that's now locked, so I could never clarify). The combat looks boring (key word being "looks," not to be confused with "is") in the video. Sure, I think they could make it look a little more exciting by having all the units attack or something, but that's literally just a visual thing that isn't major. The video just didn't manage to show off the tactical element of the battles at all, which in turn made it look like a slow, grid-based battle without any flare.

If we could get a video of let's sau a 5v5 battle (or larger, don't know what the max is) between kingdoms/empires that really highlights the strategic nature of the game, then it's much easier for me/others to go on another forum and get other people interested.

Since I've always been relatively satisfied with Civilization's auto-resolve battles, I'm sure I'll love Elemental even if the tactical battles truly are boring (though I'm pretty sure they won't be). But I would like to help push the game on other forums, as I see this game not getting nearly the amount of attention that I think it deserves. I just need some ammo.

-----------Back to the TC's point-----

I haven't heard of that getting axed either, but I just went over that battle sequence and yeah, I also couldn't find any reference to unit morale either. I'm not familiar with what every icon on the screen is supposed to represent, so perhaps it's one of those, but I'd be inclined to think it's either the beta UI or it was quietly shelved until post-release.

I suspect the battle UI might not have been finished, after all Brad said there were still bugs and stuff do be done to tactical battles.

but to be honest - seeing the mockup of the UI.. it's a bit sad that they didn't incorporate them into the game. this stay true for the Overland UI as well. But I will more than happy if I'm wrong

Just a note: We can modify the UI as well.

i think that tactical battles are fine as is, i just wondered what is going on with morale.

The tactical battle UI from beta 4/game trailers doesn't remotely resemble the finalized UI.  The one in beta 4 was simply there to allow users to test the basic engine.

As we keep trying to explain to people, and this is why we'll be changing future betas to require some steps before joining, our betas are not DEMOS. If you want a demo of the game, wait until after it's released.

We will be putting out videos and walking players through the actual finalized game in the next week or so.

nice, i can't wait until the game is out.  its gonna be legendary.

Sylenall, it may be that the attacker has a limited amount of turns to win the battle.  That should insure a hard pressed battle in most cases.  I"m sure that a defener will do just what you said, get his units to all sorts of cover, I would.  All sorts of ranged attacks and spells will be available too, so I'm guessing a defender could only bob and weave so much.  There will also be different defence ratings, hit points and damage, so I'd venture a first strike would usually not be a death blow.  Also, if the video is still representative of the current build, I saw a "miss" in there too, which could make melee a bit exciting ("I've got them now! Swish. Oh #&*@"). 

I'm sure that the tactical backgrounds will be much more varied then the drab ones we have seen so far. There was a post a while back explaining that they only put in a few pre-made tactical battle maps for the beta. I hope we get some like the mock up as it looks very rich and involving.

As for scale, i aslo want to see how large the battles can be. At present i can only normally field 2 large armies and the A.I isn't smart enough to match me.

Can't wait for the 24th, still in two minds about upgrading to the CE version...

I entirely disagree - this is a huge part of combat strategy in "Battle for Wesnoth" (one of the best turn-based tactical strategy games I have ever played), putting your guys at the edge of a wooded area and picking off guys who are forced to stand just outside the woods makes a lot of sense.  Otherwise the force sitting in the woods still represents a threat to the opponent's forces and will cause them to get flanked later on.

-tid242

I approve of this.

To be honest, I specifically didn't pre-order early because I was afraid I'd be too tempted to try out the beta and then expect it to basically be an early demo.

So I agree with the changes as well.