Dev Blog #83: Enemy Factions

Oct
14

Dev Blog #83: Enemy Factions

With work on the last big update now on the way, let’s take a look at what we’re going to do with enemy factions on the worldmap in order to make the world more interesting and dynamic, and how it’ll affect you as the player.

Enemy Factions

Enhancing the presence of factions for a more dynamic world is one of the goals of the upcoming update, and this includes enemy factions. Previously, enemy locations, like bandit camps, just got different banners assigned randomly, which then were also used by any parties created by that location, and that was it. Now, we’re going to introduce actual independent sub-factions, like orc clans and goblin states, which occupy territories on the worldmap and seek to expand them.

Orcs, goblins, bandits and undead each received half a dozen or more new banners on par in quality with the new mercenary banners introduced not long ago. You’ll be able to see by those banners on the worldmap where a faction holds power much like you currently do with noble houses. Take a look below to see a very strong orc faction fond of grates in the southern part, smaller goblin and orc factions bordering them, and a strong goblin faction to the north.

subfactions

Factions are most active near their territory – sending out patrols, hunting or raiding parties, and actively defending their territory against intruders. While this was somewhat the case before already, it now also applies to contracts. In previous versions we often had to spawn locations and enemies all around the world artificially as part of contracts, just to give you enough to do. With a steadily increasing number of different contracts, however, we can now go back to having contracts appear when there is actually a specific threat in the vicinity, safe in the knowledge that there’ll always be some kind of work to be found.

For example, settlements bordering orc territory are now much more likely to require your help in fighting off orcs, and conversely, destroying that single orc camp near a town will erase that threat, and thereby the need for contracts against orcs, for good. Or at least until other orcs make their way into this part of the world. If you prefer to stay clear of orcs for now, you’re advised to just travel to a different part of the land where orcs have less of a foothold. Of course, those orcs may then expand their territory and grow stronger while you’re not there to keep them in check.

combat_banner

To underline further that you’ll be fighting not just randomly spawned parties, but parties actually belonging to factions and doing their part in helping theirs to expand, the combat engage screen now shows banners of all enemy factions involved in a battle in full detail on the right, and your own banner, as well as the banners of all allies taking part in the battle, to the left.

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8 comments

  • Avatar photo
    Plosnita
    Oct 14, 2016 @ 14:29 pm

    Will the faction be able to conquer/destroy human towns?

    • Avatar photo
      Mleko
      Oct 14, 2016 @ 15:19 pm

      – Will they be able to fight each other?
      – 1v1v1?
      – If we are going to someday get at war with noble house we should also be able to ambush them while they fight for example orsc (some 1v1v1 mechanics should be made? or this may be way to help them and win thier favour back.)

  • Avatar photo
    Sarissofoi
    Oct 14, 2016 @ 15:38 pm

    Its the best news in this month.
    |Amazing.

  • Avatar photo
    Martin
    Oct 14, 2016 @ 16:34 pm

    Well that is a nice improvement, but everybody wants to know if and when are you planning to implement some troop’s positioning before the battle on the actual battlefield. Also, what about a veteran’s hall?

    Regards,

    Martin

  • Avatar photo
    mrbunnyban
    Oct 14, 2016 @ 16:45 pm

    Very nice! It’s really taking shape.

  • Avatar photo
    Anonymous
    Oct 14, 2016 @ 18:38 pm

    Nice job gues.Thanke you for all you doing.But how long will we wait till opne beta test?I just want to try all this nice staff right now ^_^

  • Avatar photo
    Holy.Death
    Oct 16, 2016 @ 19:12 pm

    “Build me an army worthy of Mordor!”.

  • Avatar photo
    Primeless
    Jan 4, 2017 @ 20:53 pm

    now I know why are we the only mercenary party in this part of the world :S

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