Pre-Cataclysm and Sentient Artifacts

from Elemental Forums

Given the nature of the cataclysm and technology research are there any plans to incorporate "ancient technology" that is more powerful than anything to be discovered since the re-settling of the earth?  This was done to a degree in GalCiv2 but was mostly event driven where I would think Elemental would be more conducive to tying their discovery to quests or encountering/defeating a channeler with said "artifact".

Also, any plans to incorporate sentient weapons?  Was partially inspired to ask this when responding to the "looting corpses" post and thinking about taking a magical weapon from a defeated foe that ends up being sentient and that doesn't like you.  Would open up some interesting side-quest options.

Idea: have a sentient artifact embure a normal non-channeler hero with channeler-like capabilities.  If a channeler attempts to wield the artifact have something really bad (though not instant death causing) happen - though weaking or exposing the channeler in such a way as to make them an immediate target for any non-channeler heros nearby.  Maybe have the channeler's magic capabilities neutralized for a number of turns and a silent "call" emmitted by the artifact that can locate and notify high-level heros within a given range.

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Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

This is a great idea.  A wide rage of object with varying effects (both good and bad) would really be wonderful.

You give a creative example but I personally would not like to see such a harsh effect on the channeler.  There are lots of good examples of enhansed artifacts (take a look at the 100s of items in Dominions for example).  And it would be great to have the ability to mod your own.

Here is another example-a rather silly one but it would certainly change up the gameplay:

The Ring-if carried by any non-channeler, increases ability levels by 2 (whatever that means).  There is also a 2% chance each turn of the player loosing control of the unit (computer AI takes over).  If carried by a channeler, he/she will have a significant increase in essence (magical power or whatever its called) and gain2 levels in death magic.  However there is a 5% chance each turn that the channeler will loose  the ability to cast one of the non-death magic spell types.  Therefore over time he/she will eventually (despite the best intentions) only be able to cast death magic spells.

-i know, i know, there is all sorts of things wrong with this for a standard game but at least it illustrates how a few well place and well thought out artifacts could really change the flavor of the game.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Perhaps the eventual Custom Champion tool can be expanded to include inanimate objects as 'body types?' It's pretty hard to imagine a satisfying Elric mod without some way to make Stormbringer appropriately demonic.

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

I am sure super powerful artifacts will exist eventually.  I'd imagine most of them found in dungeons and such are pre-cataclysm (or how else would they get there?)    And there is talk of super rare items  and monsters that you'll only see once in a months worth of playing or so, this likely includes items that make heroes as powerful as channelers.   This would be the type of item that seriously tilts the balance of the game at the end.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Well, again, with mods no reason you couldn't create these type of things post haste.  Also even with powerful artifcats people can die and lose them...although I remember having a hero back in the hayday of MoM (I havn't been able to do it playing now..sad) that had a ton of awesome items and could destroy stacks by himself (I'm pretty sure I just sent him around map by himself..it was a long time ago).