Trait mangement

[FleshPeeler]

An in-between idea I've been toying with (stolen shamelessly from HoMM) is to allow players to recruit from a small number of unique units that are available on the day.

So (eg.) you go to recruit an Elvish Archer and Wesnoth tells you there are 3 available: Dacyn (Quick, Strong), Harick (Strong, Intelligent) and Seth (Strong, Intelligent). You can choose which of the three to recruit. (Note that in the default idea trait combinations can repeat, though that could be changed).

I really like this idea, even if it is stolen

As an alternate idea: it could be handled exactly as it is now only Wesnoth tells you what the traits of the available unit are before you buy it. The name and traits of the available unit would be randomised each turn (so if you're not happy with the available unit, you can wait and hope it's better next turn.

I thought that was the original proposal! *head spins*

I don't like this. Inexperienced players might begin recruiting based solely on these traits. A mindset occurs where more emphasis is placed upon the trait than the unit itself. The traits are being treated like unit upgrades, and I feel that makes the unit less unique.

An alternate suggestion that I thought of is very similar to irrevenant's latter suggestion, though I must admit, I like irrevenant's former a lot better. My suggestion is that recruiting operates the same way it does now, but for a small fee of 4 gold, you can have the game pre-randomize the traits and show you what traits will be used next.

The way I've always understood the present system is that war is very taxing upon manpower and resources, and you don't have a lot of time to sit around and wait for the right person for the position you want to walk into the recruiting office. You're kind of stuck with what you have at the time of need. A more intensive study of a potential recruit would cost a bit more of your resources, so the 4 gold fee reflects extra time and money put into training a unit for a specific cause.

[Phoenyx]

As an alternate idea: it could be handled exactly as it is now only Wesnoth tells you what the traits of the available unit are before you buy it. The name and traits of the available unit would be randomised each turn (so if you're not happy with the available unit, you can wait and hope it's better next turn.

I thought that was the original proposal! *head spins*

I don't like this. Inexperienced players might begin recruiting based solely on these traits. A mindset occurs where more emphasis is placed upon the trait than the unit itself. The traits are being treated like unit upgrades, and I feel that makes the unit less unique.

Now I think I'm understanding it a little more. Your saying that instead of saying "I need a mage", new players might be saying "I have an intelligent unit, what should he be?" Correct?

I think that the "list of next traits", be it a list of one item or three, should be on a per-type basis. It could even be a per-scenario option. In places where there should be a lot of choices, like cities/castles, or at the beginning of a campaign, you could be given a choice from 3 potential recuits. But when you are out in the middle of no-where, you get what you get.

Granted, I also like the "peasent" units, and sometimes feel that more factions/scenarios should encourge the recruiting of level 0 units that have to be trained into fighter/archer/mage/etc.

[YbeRn00b]

As an alternate idea: it could be handled exactly as it is now only Wesnoth tells you what the traits of the available unit are before you buy it. The name and traits of the available unit would be randomised each turn (so if you're not happy with the available unit, you can wait and hope it's better next turn.

I thought that was the original proposal! *head spins*

It is the original proposal.
I also like some the other twists by irrevenant, it will add even closer connection between the player ant the personality of each unit, and even in a stategic way that I think could work well in multiplayer too.

[zol]

As an alternate idea: it could be handled exactly as it is now only Wesnoth tells you what the traits of the available unit are before you buy it. The name and traits of the available unit would be randomised each turn (so if you're not happy with the available unit, you can wait and hope it's better next turn.

Of all the possible permutations of giving the player more control of trait assignment, this idea is the most acceptable to me.

As of yet I'm unsure as to whether or not it's actually a good idea for the game.

Ditto. Possibly even more unsure.

As long as there's only one of each unit type, then strategic concerns take precedence over decisions that you possibly don't care about. I don't think the traits should change within the same turn except when a unit of that type is recruited, and only for that unit type.
For example, you need a fencer now. Do you wait another turn for better traits? or is timing more important? Do you keep recruiting them until you get one you like?

But overall, it looks like more work for the developers only to make gameplay feel more complicated. As it is, new players can ignore things until they're ready for them. Lack of control is the essence of simplicity.

Besides which, units get killed, XP gets misplaced; you don't always have much choice at the pointy end.
What are the ideal traits for an Elvish Marksman? Alive, and Ready to level-up.

[Elvish_Pillager]

Hmm... I might end up just buying all the available Resilient units, at first.

[irrevenant]

Hmm... I might end up just buying all the available Resilient units, at first.

And that's certainly a valid option. IMO, it's not the 'best' option, however, since the 'best' option depends a lot on playstyle. Some players might prefer a very mobile or rapidly advancing army instead. (Or a more well-rounded one, of course).

[JW]

What are the ideal traits for an Elvish Marksman?

Sorry for OT, but they are Dextrous + Resiliant.

[Dragonking]

No.

Agreed...

[turin]

No.

Agreed...

I don't think there was ever any question among the informed that "no" was the answer.

[Zhukov]

So does that mean that the uninformed are going to finally put a sock in it? Please do.