Messages : 2163 Quality Points : 843 Registration Date : 2014-12-12 Age : 32 Location : Turkey
Subject: Witch Faction Lineup 2015-08-06, 23:11
This thread is reserved for Witch lineup discussions. Here I present the planned lineup for H3SW. The upcoming version of the project may not feature some of these new creatures because of various reasons. Many graphic assets are considered as WIP (Work in progress) and Draft.
Level 1: Tribal Coming from Might and Magic VI, these creatures are based on Cannibal concept of MM6 and, partially, on Goblin concept of Heroes 1. The overall Witch theme is based on jungle/voodoo/snake cliches which allow the Tribals to fit perfectly. Background lore is with us here as well.
Level 2: Lizardman/Lizardman Warrior MM6, HoMM3 and MM8 feature these creatures just fine so everyone knows them. A nice Indian-styled outfit for Lizardmen Warriors also complement to the jungle setting described above. or
Level 3: Wasp This is a try to make the same HoMM3 concept look more common and popular. Heroes 2 don't feature Dungeons&Dragons concepts and creature names (unlike HoMM3 which is heavily based over D&D). So that making a giant wasp would complement to the said jungle setting and diversify the lineup gamma which was all green-ish and acid purple in the previous releases. We can also consider Wasps on Level 2 with Lizardmen to Level 3: there are too many similar Level 2 shooters in the game and this lineup switch would be fresh because it doesn't replicate HoMM3. We also lack Level 3 shooters, so discussion is appreciated.
Level 4: Toad This creature is not made by us: it is a cancelled concept of Heroes 2 by Tracy Iwata. I successfully contacted Tracy and got a proof that this creature was planned for Wizard instead of the Boar. Now the Toad will find a new life in the Witch lineup, where, frankly, it fits much more.
Level 5: Gorgon or Catoblepas or Copper Bull/Bronze Bull The same case as in Wasp's, the name change is a try to get rid of Dungeons&Dragons name. Gorgon was a hybrid of a bull with a medusa, and this name is not common for fairy-tales or mythology. or
Level 6: Evil Tree or Treant Similar to HoMM3 Dendroid, this creature is supposed to bear the same function, but have a little more evil design. The Treants have a good background lore: when Gem in her Heroes 3 SoD campaign arrives to the Contested Lands, she says that it was hard for her to get used to the Dendroids because of "some bad reminiscence". This may very well mean that Gem encountered moving trees in Enroth and she had not very good conversation experience with them, which fits our concept perfectly.
Level 7: Wyvern A lesser version of the Dragon, the Wyvern is supposed to have larger growth (similar to Paladins and Cyclopses) and have some other abilities. Fortunately, the Wyvern is almost as famous as the Dragon in mythology so we can put it to Heroes 2 easily without the name change. Level 7 also adds to the unique feeling unlike classic Level 6 of HoMM3 for them. or
Other creatures which appeared as a result of brainstorm on DF2:
Mantiss (generally an acceptable fantasy concept, but a bit hard to implement in Heroes 2 graphic style and present in the real world wildlife)
Raptor (A nice alternative to Dragons, but it's not a fantasy concept)
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Last edited by Orzie on 2015-08-07, 22:14; edited 3 times in total
Really cool! I especially like level 1 and 6, really fit the theme of Witch. However I ain't sure about Wyvern at level 7, graphic looks very nice but personaly I would prefer a Mantis
djenic Gargoyle
Messages : 19 Quality Points : 4 Registration Date : 2015-07-22 Age : 1534
Again another great thread Orzie. Always nice to get a overview of things.
I fully support the idea of the wasp going to be the second level creature. Both because we need 3rd level shooter (as you mentioned), but also because it could be fresh with flying units on the earlier levels (we only have sprites and gargoyle on level 1-2). The concept art of the wasp also looks about the strength of a second level creature.
The overall line-up presented here by you is the best one yet in my opinion. I imagine the wyvern being a great high growth 7th level creature for the Witch class. As I have said (at least to you) many times before I still don't think the mantis fits the H2 atmosphere (even though it is just concept), so I am all in on the presented line-up. Also I am glad we aim for a jungle/voodoo style Witch castle - it was just what I dreamed about
Orzie Master Modder
Messages : 2163 Quality Points : 843 Registration Date : 2014-12-12 Age : 32 Location : Turkey
The Tribal looks very nice, I cannot wait to see his upgraded form. He looks really promising, seems like fit to the Witch faction like the guards of any of the Witch heroines or the queen of the Witch kingdom or member of a tribe group inner the fort. Actually this is the feeling what I get when I see the Tribal. A very nice looking H2-ish character it seems with my eyes, what it seems like with yours guys? As I take a look at the name my guess is the upgraded Tribal will be Tribal Chief. Much better than the Gnome and Gnome Leaders were, they were much like Goblin copies.
Orzie Master Modder
Messages : 2163 Quality Points : 843 Registration Date : 2014-12-12 Age : 32 Location : Turkey
It can be either Tribal Chief or Cannibal, actually. But I don't know yet about the upgradeability of this creature. First we should finish the static forms of standard creatures.
Frog hasn't got wings or some kind of magic vortex, so I'am afraid it will freeze in the air and fly like a superman...
On a short distances (4-5 hexes) it shouldn't be noticed, so probably flying frog could work as a slow, but tough unit. However, with haste on a battlefield, strange things will be happening
Orzie Master Modder
Messages : 2163 Quality Points : 843 Registration Date : 2014-12-12 Age : 32 Location : Turkey
Don't worry, they are acceptable. I'm waiting for Feanor's response to a small problem with animation speed. After that I'll present a demo video of frog moving animation. It seems to look very good in the game.
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Orzie Master Modder
Messages : 2163 Quality Points : 843 Registration Date : 2014-12-12 Age : 32 Location : Turkey
Okay, I was not able to wait any longer until feanor arrives, so I go to sleep. Here is the animation test, looks pretty fine. The flight speed of the toad is adjustable via programming, if I recall everything correctly.
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Sir Albe Mage
Messages : 852 Quality Points : 452 Registration Date : 2015-07-16 Age : 28 Location : Aalborg, Denmark