Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Mounted Combat coming to WAR?

During part 2 of the G4 video (about 1:50 in), Jeff mentions that they have plans for RvR mounts that do "interesting special things." While it isn't necessarily in their plans for the Land of the Dead... it is something they may do. Could this mean that mounted combat is on its way to WAR? Maybe, maybe not. It is fun to speculate though. Here are some possibilities:

Armored. In the video he did say armored, that could be looks or function. An armored mount should be more difficult to be dislodged from. This would actually be nice, as it is very annoying to be riding along and someone pops you off the mount. Since it's armored, it may be slower. Not sure if they will actually put in drawbacks, as they are not 'fun' (I think the choices are). No one likes slow travel either.

This one seems the most likely, as it is the easiest to implement.

Melee Attack. Think of traditional mounted combat, the rider has to get into melee range. This would likely be similar to Age of Conan, where on your mount you have special abilities. As fun as it would be, it is hard for me to see it fitting in WAR. What can the mount do that current melee cannot? It needs a drawback or eventually everyone will be using them. Did AoC mounts have negative aspects?

As nice as it would be to see cavalries going at each other, it doesn't seem too likely to me.

Ranged Attack. The mobile siege cannon. This would be a steam tank or something similar. This mount could come in many varieties based on speed, defense and attack power. Maybe it could even be used to break down keep walls someday. There is a lot of potential here, but it may not make a whole lot of sense. One of the biggest complaints about WAR right now is the amount of AoE and this would just be adding more.

Seems more likely than a melee mount.

Defensive. During World War I, tanks were mostly used to get troops across the trenches while providing cover from machine gun fire. In War, ranged attacks can be potent, so maybe a mount could provide similar defense.

Unlikely that this will be implemented, not sure any fantasy game has such a beast.

Stealth. Imagine a stealth enabled mount. Ok, so this doesn't really make much sense and would probably be very overpowered. Just an idea :)

So what else could Jeff have meant?

5 comments:

I agree, I think some form of mounted warfare could well be on the way. It was implemented in Age of Conan, so it's feasible and the devs will be aware of that... and it's going to be in Rohan more than likely also.

Totally agree with the mounted combat. Maybe also a mount ability that knocks down attackers so you can get away?

If thats true, im not sure im all for it. There's already next to no rvr fights outside of the keeps, so this would just prevent it from happening even more.

Maybe mounts that will take you over keep walls?

Excited to see what he's talking about though!

Let's look at the tabletop.

Mounts have better armor and attacks. Charges can induce psychology effects. They're harder to maneuver than skirmishers (us) but about the same as regiments.

If they put mounted combat in, I think some sort of CHAAARGE attack should be available. Let the two sides clash and see who survives. I have to admit, Id love to see two engaged warbands and having an extra unit come up on mounts and charge into the fray.

To make it fair though, it'd have to punt you straight forward, otherwise you could charge and automatically stop your mount and start hammering the wounded.

"Defensive. During World War I, tanks were mostly used to get troops across the trenches while providing cover from machine gun fire. In War, ranged attacks can be potent, so maybe a mount could provide similar defense.

Unlikely that this will be implemented, not sure any fantasy game has such a beast."

Sure there are: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_tower

That definitely has a place in the WAR universe. I've seen them in-game in Reikland where you run up a siege tower ramp to cross a broken wall. Also, think way back to the Gates of Ekrun scenario. Destruction enters the keep through a big siege tower.

MM

Well I stand corrected :)

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