Progress (Conquest) update

Hello everyone!

We’ve been very busy the last two weeks with the new Conquest campaign map, and Urtuk’s new faction – the Forsaken.

We’re still working on the final design, and the Conquest campaign will likely go through many iterations until we can offer the best possible experience for the player.

This new mode features vastly different gameplay from the default campaign. The biggest changes are that you can field up to 12(!) units on the battlefield; capture and exploit sites like camps and fortresses; hire new mercs; manage more resources; and defend your holdings against other hostile factions with the same goal as the player – to seize every site on the world map. Furthermore, you’ll be able to build new structures on the world map like barricades and strongholds. You can also acquire metal from mines and craft gear for your conscripts, villagers who’ve enlisted to serve you.

Medicine will be a very scarce resource in this mode, so be prepared for men under your command to die. You will have a tough (and fun) time in this War of The Realms.

New battle mechanics

We listened to player feedback regarding ranged enemies, and decided to introduce a new counter to ranged attacks: a new trait, Deflection, that nullifies incoming projectiles! Use any unit with this trait to shield your weaker characters, and arrows fired their way will vanish into oblivion! Of course, certain parameters must be met for a successful deflection, like elevation, range, necessary stamina, and projectile trajectory. Some enemies will also enjoy this advantage, so be wary!

Furthermore, we created a new hex tile, High Grass. Enemies firing at units in High Grass will suffer a -50% hit chance.

Forsaken

This hostile faction lives deep underground, and consists of warriors long dead and forgotten. Many ages ago during the Giant Wars, they were fearless, elite fighters. But after the war ended, the commoners feared their great strength and murderous rage in combat. So it was decided they would be cast out into the Deep Abyss. There they lived in darkness for centuries, and eventually died out altogether. But thanks to an unknown Mutation these ancients rose again, as undead but still intelligent warriors. Now they turn their rage on any who aren’t their own kin!

Visuals for 4 of the 6 Forsaken classes are already done, but class details (abilities, traits, strengths, weaknesses) are still being fleshed out.

We also want the Forsaken to be a bit more challenging than other factions, so hopefully we’ll be able to finish their formation AI in time for release. Programming AI is always one of the most difficult tasks in a strategy game.

That’s it for this update! Stay well and stay tuned for more!