Under the Burning Suns

[scott]

Some units are intentionally distorted to fit the environment. The same problem exists with the L3 outlaws. The highwayman used to beat an iron mauler.

[quartex]

Some units are more powerful than others. Since ambush is useless in this campaign, I thought backstab would be a better idea. I don't want to give them skirmish becuase the desert hunters/sentinels/prowlers already have skirmish. I'll take a look at the ranger/avenger stats and perhaps weaken their backstab ability. But in my experience, combat in UTBS is difficult enough that you need all the help you can get.

[scott]

The Desert Avenger almost takes the place of the red mage or archmage. Its high HP means it's a frontline unit and it makes up in damage what it lacks in accuracy.

[breversa]

Since ambush is useless in this campaign, I thought backstab would be a better idea. I don't want to give them skirmish becuase the desert hunters/sentinels/prowlers already have skirmish.

Sure, but have you ever tried to backstab with a sword ?

[quartex]

Since ambush is useless in this campaign, I thought backstab would be a better idea. I don't want to give them skirmish becuase the desert hunters/sentinels/prowlers already have skirmish.

Sure, but have you ever tried to backstab with a sword ?

Watch out. You're starting to argue about realism. And Wesnoth is a fantasy game. It's not supposed to be realistic.

More importantly I won't be restricted by trying to make everything realistic. I will gladly make decisions that make no sense according to reality or science, but improve the gameplay and quality of the campaign.

[breversa]

No offense, I just wanted to point out that backstabbin may not be the most mind-springing ability an avenger would have.

But I wouldn't have pointed that out in the first place if nobody did.

[quartex]

No offense taken. I didn't mean to jump on you, I just wanted to cut off any arguments over realism.

And to answer your question, perhaps they wield smaller swords. Also when hunting foes in the harsh wilds, learning to surprise your enemies and backstab them when they are vulnerable could be very useful. Overall, I think it works pretty well.

[Tolesnikov]

I had another look on the statistics. Desert Champion seems to be as powerful as Desert Avenger. I still have a feeling (which is based on my experience in UtBS campaign) that Desert Avenger is much more useful - but this is just a feeling.
Considering Desert Elves are lawful and have additional source of light (Stars) they are more powerful than stardart ones. I don't see how it can make any harm to the campaign.
Looking on the Nightgaunt (10-3 backstab; no ranged; only real advantage - flight) made me to think if exist more than one third level (one significantly weaker than another). Am I going off-topic?
Elves are considered to have many (they are dexterous and skilful) relatively weak attacks. I don't insist but maybe 6-4 (or even 6-4 with ranged 11-4) will be more suitable? Another approach: more or less stardart Ranger/Avenger statistics and "nightstalk" (which works pretty funny with their alignment). I think this approach is worse because it will significantly change current campaign.
Don't forget some (not all) my Desert Avengers have "ambush". While "ambush" is almost useless in UtBS I still think this bug is better to be fixed.
Sorry, if all the discussion I began is unnecessary.

[breversa]

Another approach: more or less stardart Ranger/Avenger statistics and "nightstalk" (which works pretty funny with their alignment).

Hey, why not ? It would allow avengers to hide during the night were they are less effective and strike unnoticed when they are in a good position.
But that might make them too powerful in caves (I don't know if nightstalk works underground - does it ?)...

Anyway, I've never had any real problem with backstabbing, except that I sortof forget to use it since it does not spring to my mind when using avengers (as opposed to thieves - absent in UtBS).

[torangan]

I guess removing ambush where the description is probably linked to forest is the most usefull idea mentioned here unless Wesnoth will be changed to allow ambush for a selected terrain. Then the desert eleves could have it in desert, maybe some drake on lava...

[dtw]

There is a string bug (I think) in the manual pages for the desert avenger. It says: Abilities: UNTLB ability_backstab

I like this campaign but the horsemen do often cause you to trigger more events than you can handle in one go on the second level - maybe you could have a subtle warning at the start? Like there is about not over recruiting

[quartex]

There is a string bug (I think) in the manual pages for the desert avenger. It says: Abilities: UNTLB ability_backstab

Thanks, I fixed this bug.

[quartex]

UTBS 1.0.2 is now available on the campaign server. It's a minor update, I wanted to fix a few bugs and include the stanard GPL text with my campaign.

1.02 changelog:

scenario 8
-fixed bug where dark sorcerer Hekuba would appear at turn 16 but not disappear after she delivered her dialogue

-fixed missing help page for backstab ability
-fixed other small bugs
-added GPL copying information

[illan]

This is probably off topic considering I haven't been following the discussion, but this compaign is one of my favorites. The missions are very original.

[quartex]

This is probably off topic considering I haven't been following the discussion, but this compaign is one of my favorites. The missions are very original.

Compliments are never off topic. Thank you. I'm glad you enjoy it.