14 DAY TRIAL // The team at the Paradox Development Studio working on Runemaster is delivering a new diary for the video game that’s designed to give potential players a first look at the core mechanics that underpin the combat in the title.
On the official forums, the company explains that it is aiming to use a series of concepts that have long been associated with turn-based strategy titles and that they are introducing some new ideas that can enhance the gameplay.
Runemaster will use hexes and the commanding hero will fight alongside his troops in order to give them a boost in power and discipline.
Each unit can move first and then act, either attacking or using an ability, which means that fighting and running away is not a viable option.
Line of sight is required in order to launch an attack, but Paradox has made the decision that only enemy units will block attacks, which will make it easier to see the tactical disposition of the enemy even if an assault is impossible.
Hexes will create zones of control and the studio explains that, “If a unit enters the zone of control of a hostile unit, their move will automatically end regardless of how many movement points they still have left. It's still possible to move through another unit’s zone of control, but only one hex each turn. This makes it easier to protect second line units from melee attacks by spreading out a couple of front line units.”
Some units in Runemaster and spells will have abilities that tweak these rules in their own favor, which means that gamers will constantly have to adapt their tactics.
All units included in the game will have both health and armor stats and the first stat cannot be harmed until the latter is completely removed, which makes strategy on the battlefield and proper use of the various units crucial.
Terror is also important in Runemaster and Paradox adds, “Terror accumulates in a unit and each time new terror is added, the total terror + a die roll is tested against the unit's discipline to see if the unit panics. Panicking units will use one turn to move away from the closest enemy and the next turn to rally at the new position.”
Most armored units are also immune to terror attacks, although there are abilities that ignore that rule.
Runemaster should be out before the end of the year exclusively on the PC.