Game News Age of Decadence Demo Released

I think the main problem with dodge vs block is that there is a third "defensive skill" in the game: tanking damage. This is represented as a combination of HP(CON) and DR(armor/crafting). This "skill" when paired with block can produce very resilient characters that break the skill balance.

I would reduce shield to-hit penalty (larger shields seem useless, unless fighting large number or archers), increase movements costs with (large) shield equipped to 3AP and 6AP and introduce special moves to facilitate maneuvering in combat. Small shields should get a chance to be split by any attack (not just axes).

Dodge characters would get to ignore AOOs at certain skill level (let's say 60 dodge), so they could use their high AP to avoid damage by positioning (DR from leather armor is useless vs higher-end weapons).

This could introduce kiting problems, but I think it's only fair for highly mobile characters to have an advantage in an open battlefield, as heavy melee characters have in confined spaces. Maybe some kind of "shield charge" move could help address the issue, or maybe bolas and nets with some tweaks would be enough? Maybe even having two handed crossbow or bow equipped cancels this perk? It would still work with thrown weapons, but they are not as cheap as arrows and weigh quite a bit, so ammo supply would be limited.

 

Oh great, more forced "solutions" by making something working even more shitty.

How about improving dodge instead?

 

Just make it 50% moar bettar and be done with it? Cool solution, bro!

 

When I think abut it, dodging is really shitty way to defend yourself in combat compared to parring.

 

Yep, see GURPS.

 

Now that you mention it...

 

Inventing percentages from your asshole - solution to win the argument?

 

Judging from the level of butthurt inflicted, I'd say it worked quite nicely

 

errr, Hiver, mate, I think he was proving a point, not talking numbers...

 

Hiver is always butthurt, you achieve nothing

 

Damn! I should have kept my hiver.txt updated! : x

What do you think about the combat in AoD Grunker Excidium? Am I wrong in thinking it's too static and dependent on RNG? Or is that not a problem because you can avoid combat and it's not the main focus of the game. Then again, if not for combat, it would be hardly a game at all, IMO.

 

You achieved being a dumbass, twice with two sentences.
Congratulations moron.

One extra dumbfuck for failing to wiggle out in such a stupid manner.

Proving he is a dumbfuck? I agree.

Wishfull thinking.... as always. Suck vacuum shitface

 

After reading some more about the demo here on the Codex I thought I'd install it again and try to complete it this time. I find the combat impossible, so I went the all-talk route.

Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler

I absolutely loved it. I went 4 4 4 8 10 10 and dumped all my AP into Etiquette, Persuasion, Streetwise, Lore and Trading. I had enough left over towards the end to boost my Sneak to 40 (I knew what was coming in the final scene). I didn't get into combat once. I killed the other Loremaster for Feng simply by using Critical Strike (I put 40 into this stat). I went with the Commercium because they were obviously suited for talkers. I wasn't expecting those screens at the end, nice work Iron Tower. I really can't wait for this game.

In short:

Pros: Great skill checks, superb writing, many ways to do things, choices have consequences, beautiful visuals, atmospheric soundtrack
Cons: Combat (but can be avoided by spending APs in the right places)

I really want to buy the full game now.

 

Imagine doing a bit of both. How awesome that would be

 

Are you serious?

Genuinely interested as I generally agree on the other points.

 

Yeah, I won't call the writing that I have viewed superb, but I will say that the setting is handled quite well. It really feels like a world where everyone is willing to murder, and when you do decide to trust a stranger they will often show you just how willing they are. I particularly enjoyed the double betrayal of the "merchant" in one of my builds.

I'm not sure how this map plot line is going to play out, though. Hopefully it does not end up being as predictable as I fear.

I was surprised that there wasn't more in the way of bribery dialogue options, given the setting. Maybe I just missed them. When I heard that this system took inspiration from Darklands, I expected to see a lot of that. On the other hand, the bribery options that were in game were often surprisingly expensive, which I think is the best way to handle them. Otherwise they just end up being really cheap ways to avoid investing in social skills.

 

Seriously? I can understand the others, even if I disagree, but superb writing? Seriously?


Oh wait, are you the guy who's favourite rpg is F:NV?

 

Just downloaded an installed the game. Game comments to come.

Installer comment: please allow the user NOT to install shortcuts to the start menu and ESPECIALLY the desktop. Thanks in advance. (sorry if there was an option and I missed it somehow)

 

yeah, that fucks me over too... god damn undeletable shortcuts! Im not buying this game god damnit!

 

You really agree that the game has great skill checks, Grunker? I mean, it sure has a lot of them which is welcome but the way checks are implemented is hardly great.

 

Since the discussion wen't to writing I really dislike the vulgar langue in the narration, things like doing shit or fucking with someone makes the game look cheap and amateurish. That things should stay only in dialogues.

 

Yes, I do. It's easy to say they're hardly implemented great, but on the other hand I've seen them done better only a few times, and I've never seen so many.

I'm not saying this necessarily applies to you, but it seems many people demand perfection from AoD. I have leveled a lot of criticism against it so far, but that doesn't stop me from saying it would probably have been my game of the year had it been released in 2011... I know that doesn't say much, but I also consider it a milestone.

And most importantly: I have fun playing it, whatever the reason.

 

You're quite possibly the dumbest poster on this forum today.

 

Gee... what a butthurt... i bet it echoes. Lets try it.

Ego! -> EGO...EGO...EGO! ... ego...ego.....

yup, it echoes.
Thats what you get for thinking youre awesome.