Version 1.7.2 progress

[Variaz]

This sticky post is dedicated to important changes done so far in 1.7.2. And I will begin by announcing that options are now saved in a separate file in the currently unused "pref" directory, and not in actual save files! This means that you can create as many characters as you want, you just have to fix the options once and for all!

There we go, the feature everyone requested is here now!

[Variaz]

I am now changing the damage formulas of weapons to something completely new, and that will make stats more importants.

I changed the melee formula to the following:

1. Initial Damages = Bases roll from weapons.
2. (Base roll) * Weapon Skill
3. Damages + (Damages * to_d%)
4. Damages + (Damages * Strength%)

Let me explain. Now, you first get a base roll from your weapon's damages(let's say a longsword.). Assuming we have a Swords skill of 50 and a Strength of 30. The damages would be the following:

1. Roll of 10 on 2d5.
2. 10 * 50 = 500
3. Strength of 30 gives us +150 to_d, so it's 150% bonus(yes, to_d has been change not to give percentile bonus to damages). This makes a total of 1250 damages.
4. Then, the total damages are increased by another 30%, because we have 30 str, so we get total damages of 1625 per blows.

With the current formula(1.7.1), you are getting something like this:

1. Roll of 10 * 5 = 50
2. 50 * 50 = 2500
3. 2500 * 2(Strength multiplier) = 5000
4. 5000 + 150 = 5150

So yes, the new formula gives much less damages at the beginning. However, later in the game when you get high strength and lots of +, you will still get pretty high damages. And of course, the game will be adapted to the new formula as well(such as the resistance to physical damages from monsters might now progress a bit slower).

But overall, expect to do a bit less damages with melee attacks. Melee characters are too powerful right now, so woth the new formula, you will actually need to have a good AC or good melee abilities to do big damages. There will be an actual fight now!

That said, the same formula will apply to ranged weapons(will use Dexterity instead of Strength), thrown weapons, martial arts damages and friendly monsters damages(will use Charisma instead of Strength). Martial arts base roll starts at 1d3, and both dice number and sides will increase by 1 for every 15 points(so at Martial Arts 15, the base roll will be 2d4. At 30, 3d5. At 45, 4d6 and so on).

This change will standardize the formulas for attacks, and make stats play a much more important role now(In the previous formula, there was almost no difference between having a Strength of 30 and a Strength of 59. This is no longer true!). And as you probably figured out, multipliers will disappear!

Feel free to comment on these changes! And of course, there will be more formulas and mechanics changes(AC calculation comes to mind, then magic damages... these must be improved).

[Variaz]

The debate for whether intelligence or wisdom should get skill points bonus has been solved: both stats helps you getting the skills. You gain an extra skill points for every 12 average points of stats. So if your intelligence is 19, and your Wisdom is 5, the average is 12, and therefore you gain 1 skill points. This way, being both smart and wise helps you learn stuff!

Also, concerning wisdom...

-- NEW FEATURE!!! --

By using the 'p' command, you can now use wisdom to cast a spell! Wisdom-based spells(you could also call them prayers I guess) do not cost mana, so you can cast any spells. The disadvantage, however, is that success rate is not guaranteed. The more costly the spell is, the lower the success rate, and if you try casting a VERY costly spell with a low wisdom... the spell may backfire! Here's the formula I made for wisdom-based spellcasting:

Wisdom >= spell's cost

If your wisdom is equal or higher than the spell's cost, you get
automatic success.

Wisdom < spell's cost

A Casting Strength is determined, and will be rolled against the
spell's cost.

Casting Strength = (Wisdom - 5) * 5

Two random numbers will be returned. The first number is a random
number between 1 and the Casting Strength. The second is a number
between 1 and the spell's mana cost. If the first number is higher
or equal, you win the roll, and the spell is cast. Otherwise,
you fail casting the spell.

Spell's cost is more than three times the casting force:

If you try to cast a very costly spell with a low casting strength,
be aware that the spell becomes "risky". If you fail casting a risky
spell, you will take damages equal to the spell's cost, you will
be confused for 5 turns and your wisdom will be lowered by 5 points.


Hope you will enjoy this feature! Also, the Priest's "Forbidden Ritual" ability has been removed, and replaced by "Improved Wisdom Casting", which improves the success rate of wisdom-based spellcasting, and allow you to try bigger spells without them being "risky"!