I was talking with someone on the IRC who felt the combat needed a little something to make it more exciting. I agreed. Although the combat is cool, and the weapon types at higher levels are very interesting I think the game could use a little something else. I looked to brogue and other rogue-likes like cataclysm dda to help me come up with some Ideas. I figured out that the main problem with the combat (for me) is each interaction/turn is its own entity and there are almost no weapons that last multiple turns. Without these semi persistent weapons the combat turns can feel disjointed and separate. Here is my solution, a short list of weapons that I think will make the combat much more enjoyable. Feel free to add to the list in the comments.
I will mention each weapon and talk about why it is good. Be sure to notice the theme of these weapons and upgrades making combat more strategic and making the turns flow together nicer.
The important thing to remember is all of these effects last multiple turnsSmoke Trail Emitter:Each turn consumes energy and Matter must be resource intensive so that only bigger bots can use it.
Ejects a smoke trail behind the cogmind obstructing opponents vision.
This makes Running a more legitimate tactic, and provides more fun in the "flight" part of fight or flight gameplay
If the player blows up a wall or something with a grenade it can also generate smoke which the player can use to escape as well.
Posion Gas:This can be in weapon form, but it is also a game object
The player can find a gas emitter and spray it down a corridor to damage and deter enemies from coming their way
The player can fill a room with gas and damage all enemies inside then while the gas is still active the player can fire into the room and depending on the type of weapon the player can either just pick off enemies or light the gas on fire.
This can also cause some sort of item damage along with core corrosion -
ArseFaceElectric Gas Emitter:Electric Field Emitter:Same Delio as the other gasses
When walked into it increases corruption and shuts down systems
concept
Gas blower:a way for enemies and the player to overcome their gas problems
Energy Wall Placer:The player can place a small energy wall energy from their power module. It blocks fire from opponents, but anyone can walk through it.
Certain types of ammo damage the wall more
The wall goes away when the player turns it off, runs out of energy, or exceeds a maximum distance from it
Acid/Lava Ejectors:Require large amounts of cooling to hold
When activated sprays liquid on ground
When stepped on applies heat
Would be great to combo with Th weapons to finish off enemies
would also be good for blocking off thin corridors
Blade Shooter -NEW
Similar to that of Quake
When shot the blade flies around several times a turn
Can bounce
dies after some period of time
Flame Thrower that sets ground alight -NEW
More of a Mod to the pre existing flame thrower
Has a small chance of setting ground areas alight
Other things:When different machines explode they can emit different substances such as gasses
like if a nuclear reactor explodes near a player or enemy it should emit something along the lines of the electric gas shutting down systems of nearby robots.
I feel this will add a bit more motion to the game's current combat system and give players a better strategic advantage. I love cogmind and I can't wait to see it get better. Thank you.
I can't wait to hear your responses positive or negative.
