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BB_Ravel
14.11.14, 12:17
Colonies and PvP - Dev's Diary - Information about the new Colony / PvP mode.



http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_09_25_SP_PvP/header.jpg

The new Colony (including PvP) mode brings a lot of new features to "The Settlers Online".
The first iteration will be available on Tuesday, 25th of November.


First things first: Don't worry - your island stays safe!
PvP won't affect your home island. It's an optional feature.

What are the new features?


A PvP mode (Conquer Colonies)
A new and interactive combat system (only on Colony islands)
Gathering resources by conquering Colonies
Automatically generated Colony maps
PvP Colony maps with player defences
New buildings, generals, units and items
Valour Points: Reward for defeating player units on Colonies;
Can be used to get items for the Colony mode (i.e. special defences, units, etc.)

The Colony mode comes with a new Battle System. However, the new system is only used on Colony maps.
Hence, the current system will stay in place.
However, there will be some changes. They are listed >here (http://forum.thesettlersonline.com/threads/29601-Dev-Diary-Colonies-and-PvP?p=268422&viewfull=1#post268422)< .

Exactly what is changing?
While the current Battle System will be rebalanced and optimised, the game mechanics will stay the same.
The new feature "Colonies" will be based on a new additional Battle System. PvP is part of "Colonies".




http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/header_summary.png


Let's get started with a general overview of the new Colony feature.

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_09_expislands_sp/pvp_teaser.jpg


Colonies are special adventure islands that can be found through explorer search.
They have to be conquered, can be defended and may be stolen by other players.


The Combat Academy and the Combat Armoury are used to produce the new Colony soldier weapons and units
6 new weapon types and 7 new unit types can be produced with these new buildings
In order to adjust the home island for the new production chains, it will be temporarily possible to move buildings free of charge

Bandit camps and their positions on Colony islands are generated randomly. It's possible to conquer a fresh Colony adventure island or attack an existing one that belongs to another player. After a Colony island is conquered, defences can (and should :p) be built. An island is safe from attack by other players until the "Make it my Colony" button is clicked and confirmed. It will however not produce any resources until then.

After claiming an island as the Colony and confirming the warning pop up, defences can't be adjusted and it cannot be visited by the owner anymore. The reward production will start. A cooldown period follows to make sure that the new Colony cannot be stolen immediately. During the first 12 hours the island cannot be attacked by other players. Defences are rebuilt automatically.

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_09_25_SP_PvP/UI_mockup.jpg



Additional Battle System (in Colony mode)

The current Battle System will stay in place. There will be some changes though, but the mechanics remain the same. The new Battle System will be additional and it will only be available on Colony islands.

As mentioned above, the new system will consist of many new items. For the first time players will be able to influence the fight directly. Each combat can be watched while it's happening on the map. It is also possible to change the attacking unit type during battle.

Each enemy type should be attacked with the appropriate unit type. I.e. Cavalry attack Archers, Archers deal most damage to Infantry etc. Bandit camps and Marshals can carry different types of units. During a battle, the attacking unit type can be changed; the change will take place only after one of the previous battling units is defeated (and the next one in line is up).

For the first time, Blocking will be a featured tactic and 4 special block units (3 x "Heavy", 1 x "Special") are introduced with the new Battle System.

This is how the battlefield looks:


http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_09_25_SP_PvP/fight_battlefield_2.jpg



1) The Battlefield
The blue units are attacking units, the red ones are the defending units.
On both sides stacks represent the number of units currently fighting.
The red number above the stack indicates how much damage a stack has received.

2) Unit selection
The centre of the piece shows the unit type that will be deployed with the next batch.
Clicking on it opens a circular menu to choose the next unit type from the units the general is carrying.

3) Enemy deployment
This indicates which unit type is currently deployed and which unit type will follow.

BB_Ravel
14.11.14, 13:44
http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/header_buildings.png


2 new buildings belonging to the Colony mode will be added to the game:



The Combat Armoury
The Combat Armoury works much like a Provision House, using the same mechanics and interface.
It can be found in the Buildings menu.
Level requirement: 30
Limited to: 1




The Combat Academy
The Combat Academy works like the Barracks, using the same mechanics and interface.
It can be found in the Buildings menu.
Level requirement: 30
Limited to: 1



http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/buildings.jpg

The new unit types need different weapons. These can be produced using regular resources with the Combat Armoury.


http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/header_weapons.png


http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/weapons_icons.pngAttack Pike
Heavy Mace
Attack Bow
Heavy Crossbow
Heavy Lance
Attack Sabre





http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/header_attack_units.png

The Combat Academy is used to produce the 7 new attack unit types (described below).




http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_AttackInfantry.png Name: Attack Infantry
Type: Melee
Bonus: Deals most damage against Cavalry units
Description: Attack unit

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_AttackArcher.pngName: Attack Archer
Type: Ranged
Bonus: Deals most damage against Melee units
Description: Attack unit

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_AttackCavlary.pngName: Attack Cavalry
Type: Cavalry
Bonus: Deals most damage against Ranged units
Description: Attack unit

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_HeavyInfantry.pngName: Heavy Infantry
Type: Melee | Block
Bonus: No bonus
Description: Unit with many hitpoints. Intended for blocking.

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_HeavyArcher.pngName: Heavy Archer
Type: Ranged | Block
Bonus: No bonus
Description: Unit with many hitpoints. Intended for blocking.

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_HeavyCavalry.pngName: Heavy Cavalry
Type: Cavalry | Block
Bonus: No bonus
Description: Unit with many hitpoints. Intended for blocking.

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_guardsman.pngName: Guardsman
Type: Special | Block
Bonus: No bonus
Description: Deals more damage than regular "Heavy" units. Intended for blocking. Available through Valour Points.





http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/header_defence_units.png

For building defences, even more new unit types are available.
They don't have to be produced, they are available in the "Colony Defence Mode".




http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_MercenaryDuelist.pngName: Mercenary Duelist
Type: Melee
Upside: Deals most damage against Cavalry units
Downside: Lower base damage

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_MercenaryInfantry.pngName: Mercenary Infantry
Type: Melee
Upside: Constant higher base damage
Downside: None

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_MercenarySharpshooter.pngName: Mercenary Sharpshooter
Type: Ranged
Upside: Deals most damage against Melee units
Downside: Lower base damage

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_MercenaryArcher.pngName: Mercenary Archer
Type: Ranged
Upside: Constant higher base damage
Downside: None

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_MercenaryCharger.pngName: Mercenary Charger
Type: Cavalry
Upside: Deals most damage against Ranged units
Downside: Lower base damage

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/icon_MercenaryCavlary.pngName: Mercenary Calvary
Type: Cavalry
Upside: Constant higher base damage
Downside: None




http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/header_marshals.png

Marshals (Colony Generals) are needed to conquer a Colony.
They have unique skills and are capable of transporting new units to Colony islands.




http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/shopicon_marshal.pngName: Marshall
Max. units: 100 (transport + attack)
Availability: 4 at the Tavern, 1 at the Shop (Valour points)
Limit: 5

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/shopicon_fieldmarshal.pngName: Expedition Supplier
Max. units: 500 (transport only)
Availability: Shop
Limit: 1

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/shopicon_veteranmarshal.pngName: Expedition Quartermaster
Max. units: 1.000 (transport only)
Availability: Shop
Limit: 1



http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/header_buffs_items.png

A new shop category called "Expeditions" will be implemented. Colony related items are listed in this section.
Besides special Marshals, buffs and defence items will also be available.




http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/shopicon_buff_Boot-Camp.pngName: Boot Camp (Buff)
Description: Speeds up production of weapons in the Combat Academy
Availability: Shop
Costs: Gems

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/shopicon_buff_overdrive.pngName: Overdrive (Buff)
Description: Speeds up production of weapons in the Combat Armoury
Availability: Shop
Costs: Gems

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/shopicon_item_DefensiveCavalryStronghold.pngName: Cavalry Stronghold (Colony defence building)
Description: Can be placed on Colonies while setting up defences. Won't be counted against the colony’s defence point limit
Availability: Shop
Costs: Valour Points

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/shopicon_item_DefensiveMeleeStronghold.pngName: Melee Stronghold (Colony defence building)
Description: Can be placed on Colonies while setting up defences. Won't be counted against the colony’s defence point limit
Availability: Shop
Costs: Valour Points

http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/shopicon_item_DefensiveRangedStronghold.pngName: Ranged Stronghold (Colony defence building)
Description: Can be placed on Colonies while setting up defences. Won't be counted against the colony’s defence point limit
Availability: Shop
Costs: Valour Points


http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/shopicon_buff_medipack.pngName: Expedition Medipack
Description: Heals a Marshal on a Colony island. Can only be used a limited number of times per Expedition adventure
Availability: Provision house
Costs: Resources

BB_Ravel
14.11.14, 13:54
Some elements of the old Combat system had to be changed. The list below provides a brief overview of the adjustments.


Important: Basic combat mechanics, adventure unit deployments and low level units were not touched!



http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/header_combat_system_adjustments.png





Adventure loot adjustments
The loot will be changed completely. Instead of weapons, raw materials for producing weapons will be included and the loot will be adjusted to the losses of the particular adventure.
Epic Raid unit Rebalancing
Some of the units used in the Epic Raid adventures were rebalanced.
Hitpoints and Attack damage were changed, some units can deal out Splash Damage.
Also, the amount of XP for defeated units was adjusted in some cases.
Unit production times
Production times for Elite Soldier, Crossbow Man, Cannoneer and Cavalry were decreased.
Resource adjustments
Production times for Steel Sword, Titanium Sword, Canon, Gunpowder and Carriage were decreased. Furthermore, production costs for Titanium Sword and Canon were also decreased.
Adventure Types and Icons
Adventure types were adjusted and a feedback with concrete icons and colours
for type and difficulty was added for each adventure.
Adventure Loot Button
"Add to Star Menu" and "Add to storage" buttons were implemented for adventure loot mails as well.
Adventure Searches
The Adventure searches were adjusted.
Possibilities were changed and some adventures added / removed.
Adventure Shop prices
The shop prices of adventures in the shop were adjusted.
The selection in the shop was changed as well.




Please feel free to leave your feedback here (http://forum.thesettlersonline.com/threads/29602-Feedback-Colonies-and-PvP-Dev-Diary?p=268425&viewfull=1#post268425).

Happy settling!
BB_Ravel

BB_Ravel
26.11.14, 15:13
PvP (player versus player) Video Tutorial - Learn how to become a successful conqueror


http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/tutorialyoutubesettings_t.jpg (http://static.cdn.ubi.com/0034/archive/Forum_int/Pictures/2014_11_DD-Colonies/tutorialyoutubesettings.jpg)The new feature is quite big and the Game Design team created a tutorial video to provide you with a comfortable introduction. So just lean back and watch the video. You can activate subtitles by clicking the "Settings" button in the lower right corner of the YouTube control panel. Select the desired language in the drop down menu afterwards (see picture on the right).



Watch the entire video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_dXbfN6Vg)

Jump to different sections of the tutorial:

Getting Started (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_dXbfN6Vg#t=00m28s)
New troops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_dXbfN6Vg#t=01m02s)
Getting an Expedition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_dXbfN6Vg#t=01m51s)
About Expeditions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_dXbfN6Vg#t=02m49s)
The Maps (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_dXbfN6Vg#t=03m37s)
New Combat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_dXbfN6Vg#t=04m49s)
End of an Expedition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_dXbfN6Vg#t=07m15s)
Defence Mode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA_dXbfN6Vg#t=08m10s)



<center>Tip: Watch the video in high resolution & fullscreen mode

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KA_dXbfN6Vg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>