Descending: Curse of the Blood Crown - low poly blobber now in alpha

[Kabas]

How long into the campaign before other members could be added?

In the alpha you can fill all the slots right in the first town.
Can't choose race or class of the potential recruit but you can swap your party members around freely Might and Magic 8 style.

 

[Arkytoothis]

I like the idea of a traditional six character party. In theory, starting with 3/4 and then adding the others sounds interesting, but wouldn't it be better to start with all six or give the player the option? If XP is divided, this could be balanced by resulting in a larger party advancing slower. How long into the campaign before other members could be added? I wonder about the new additions falling behind the characters who started the game, but I suppose in an open world adventure there are plenty of ways to catch them up.

Theoretically it should be easier to balance low level parties that are smaller and I also like the idea of building up from a small party (like in the newer xcom games). I was originally planning on having the extra be unlocked in the campaign but I think Im going to leave it the way it is now as sort of an in game difficulty and leave party size up to the player. You find your first free hero in the first dungeon then you can hire randomly generated hirelings. NPC escorts will also take up party slots so in some cases you may lose a member on the return trip. But if things don't shake out the way I hope I can easily change it to a full six from the start.

 

[JarlFrank]

NPC escorts will also take up party slots so in some cases you may lose a member on the return trip.

I honestly prefer systems where you have 6+1 (6 regular party members + 1 temporary NPC slot) so you don't have to kick a character for an escort quest.

 

[Arkytoothis]

NPC escorts will also take up party slots so in some cases you may lose a member on the return trip.

I honestly prefer systems where you have 6+1 (6 regular party members + 1 temporary NPC slot) so you don't have to kick a character for an escort quest.

I will be implementing NPC escorts soon and will definitely try both.

 

[Chuck Norris]

Low poly is a crime against humanity.

 

[Zed Duke of Banville]

NPC escorts will also take up party slots so in some cases you may lose a member on the return trip.

I honestly prefer systems where you have 6+1 (6 regular party members + 1 temporary NPC slot) so you don't have to kick a character for an escort quest.

Yes, it still irritates me that I was forced to temporarily remove one of my starting party members from Grimoire in order to escort a princess back to her castle as part of the main quest; though Grimoire, of course, has a party size of 8 characters.

 

[JarlFrank]

Yes, Grimoire lets you create 8 characters - but doesn't tell you that for some quests, you can't actually keep all 8!

 

[Arkytoothis]

Experimenting with a new Gui layout to make room for a 7th hero slot and reduce screen space blockage.

 

[JarlFrank]

Since the 7th slot is temporary, I think it would feel better if you place it outside of the regular party members row.
Perhaps on the right side of the screen?

 

[Arkytoothis]

Its hidden in the screen shot but thats right where the message panel is. I can put some space between it and the other hero widgets and disable when not in use.

 

[JarlFrank]

disable when not in use

That should suffice, yes.

 

[mondblut]

Yes, it still irritates me that I was forced to temporarily remove one of my starting party members from Grimoire in order to escort a princess back to her castle as part of the main quest; though Grimoire, of course, has a party size of 8 characters.

Ha, amateurs. Try Ishar 3. At some point you need to free two party slots for temporary NPCs. Out of 5. To proceed in the main quest. And you don't get your characters back after.