Balance Update, First real iteration on AMUN!

[chilko]

Hello everyone!

We have been working like crazy.
Everything that we look into has a nastier bug or conceptual problem below .
Here is the latest report of the stuff you can try NOW on AMUN (Only a PART of what we are working on for the upcoming update)

GENERAL COMBAT MECHANICS

Removed fixed iterations for combat and changed to a weapon charge and weapon cool-down time model.

This means:

• No more waiting for the next swing iteration when engaging into attack range.
• Almost no more phantom swings (they should only appear on nasty network scenarios)
• Charge time (which is the time you have to wait standing) depends on weapon's speed.
• no charge time for warriors (as they can attack while moving)
• no more cheating attack speed by switching from and to combat mode.

Note: charge time is not definitive yet.

All of this coped with new network code and lag compensation should make all of Regnum feel more real-time for players with all kinds of pings

We also changed from a Casting time to a casting speed model, for both normal attacks and spells.
Arcane devotion has been increased by 2 to cope with this new non-linear model. Other speed altering spells will be adjusted like this soon.
Some bugs with the armors has been fixed so some items will have better protection. Now the tunics also protect the legs.

MAP

Afer over 160 man hours our map editor has revived!!!
We have already uploaded to AMUN a fix to the access of Algaros Fort.
More changes like this are coming to balance (as intended) the distance between certain Forts, Altars in some areas of the War Zone (specially for Alsius)

SPELLS

We have tweaked and changed a lot of spells some Auras changed into Area spells for better server performance and to allow caster more flexibility (now a knight will be able to go and attack after assisting his team-mates)
Many other spells are being changed.
As discussed This is the list Changes to spells so far (more are comming and archers have not been touched yet).

Mages:

• Silence: Duration reduced to 3 segs and progression of middle level was adjusted.
  
• Splinter wall: This power has been changed from Aura to an Area, Now it works as a constant Damage.
• The damage values and duration have been modified.
  
• Time master: Chances added from level 1 to 5 in terms of progresion (70, 75, 80, 90, 100%) and duration (4, 6,
• 8, 10, 12 seg.).

Conjurer:

• Major healing: This power has been changed from Aura to an Area, Now it works as a constant healing to the allies in the area when casted.
  Duration of the power has been set at 30 seg.
  Power level progression fom 1 to 5 is: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 pts.
  
• Tremor: Chances have been enhanced from 1 to 5 in terms of progresion (50, 60, 70, 80, 90%) and duration 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 seg.

Warlok:

• Sultar´s terror: Chances have been added from level 1 to 5 in terms of progresion (50, 60, 70, 80, 90%). Damage bell reduced for Splash damage.
  It's a linear equation of distance from 100% at the target to 35% at the end of the area (this is not new, it just was 100% to 80% before - ridiculous-).
  
• Frozen Storm: Enhanced chances from levels 1 to 5 in terms of progresion (50, 60, 70, 80, 90%).

Warriors:

• Typhoon: Enhanced chances from level 1 to 4 (50, 60, 70, 80%) and reduced at level 5 (90%).
  
• Mind squasher: A bug has been corrected that might prevent this spell to work as intended
  
• Thunder strike: Adjusted Stun Chances from level 1 to 5 (50, 60, 70, 80, 90%).
  
• Martial reflexes: A bug has been corrected that might prevent this spell to work as intended

Knights:

• Heroic presence: Aura has been reduced to 6 (in RADIUS) mts for performance reasons (before: 10 mts.).
  
• Shield wall: This power has been changed from Aura to an Area, Now it works as a buff in a 360° Area. Mana cost reduced in all levels and Cooldown increased
  
• Stars shield: This power has been changed from Aura to an Area, Now it works as a buff in a 360° Area. Mana cost reduced in all levels and Cooldown decreased
  
• Deflecting barrier: The area has been increased to 360°

Barbarians:

• Thirst for blood: It can be cast regardless of the weapon round.
  
• Rage of the earth: Chance of knock down progression changed from levels 1 to 5 (50, 60, 70, 80, 90%).

AS YOU KNOW: THIS IS A PRELIMINARY VERSION, THINGS MIGHT CHANGE BEFORE WE RELEASE IT
AND THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE (LIKE WITH ARCHERS)

Constructive criticism is the only way to help us make Regnum a better game.
Please it out try out and comment in this thread.