Enhanced Battle System and PvP - Sneak Peek - Brief information about the latest test server update
Sneak peek is a brief information about one of the upcoming game versions and may not reflect the final status of the content.
After the game version is finalised, a corresponding Dev Diary will be published.
The new
Player versus Player (PvP) Expedition Mode brings a lot of new features to "The Settlers Online".
The first public test version will be available on the international
test server on Thursday (early evening).
Don't worry - your island remains safe! PvP will NOT affect your home island. It's an optional feature.
What are the most important new features?- A PvP mode (Expeditions)
- A new and interactive combat system (in PvP mode)
- Gathering rare resources by creating colonies
- Automatically generated maps
- New buildings, units and generals
Although PvP comes with a new Battle System, the current system will stay in place.
However, there will be some changes.
Current Battle System adjustment overview:- Adventure loot will be restructured.
- Production times and costs for high level units will be adjusted
- Enemy types used in Epic Raids will be adjusted
- Weapon production times will be adjusted
- The basic combat mechanics, the content of low- and mid-level adventures (other than the loot)
and the low level units (i.e. Recruits) will not be changed.
Exactly what is changing?
While the current Battle System will be rebalanced and optimised, the game mechanic will stay the same.
The new feature "Expeditions" (preliminary name) will be based on a new additional Battle System. PvP is part of "Expeditions".
,
PvP: Expeditions & Colonies
Expeditions are special adventure islands. They have to be conquered, can be defended and may be stolen by other players.- Combat Academy (New Barracks) and Combat Armory (New Weaponsmith) are introduced
- 6 new weapon types and 7 new unit types can be produced with these new buildings
- In order to adjust the home island, it will be possible to move buildings free of charge
The Expedition islands are generated randomly. It's possible to conquer a new Expedition adventure island or attack an existing one that belongs to another player. After an Expedition island is conquered, defenses can (and should 
) be built. An island is safe from attack by other players until the "Make it my Colony" button is clicked and confirmed.
After claiming an island as the Colony, defenses can't be adjusted and it cannot be visited by the owner anymore. The reward production will start. During the first 12 hours the island cannot be attacked by other players.
Additional new Battle System (Colony islands & PvP)
The current Battle System will stay in place. There will be some changes, but the mechanics will remain the same. The new Battle System will be additional and will only be available on PvP / 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's possible to change the attacking unit type during battle.
Each enemy type should be attacked with the appropriate unit type. I.e. archers attack cavalry, etc. Bandit camps and generals 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).
This is what it looks like:
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 center 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.
A detailed description will be provided with the Dev Diary once the game version is finalised.
For feedback, please go here.
Happy testing!
BB_Ravel
