Using Cover

[Einhander]

i htought up this ideafrom this strategy game I was playing, say when All the features are implemented. Why not we have rocks, trees, and etc. as cover?

Example:

An Oak Tree provided 20% Damage reduction against arrows for those standing around it, and -20 Against Fire Based Spells, 30% Reduction against Earth Spells. And so on.

DIfferent Cover require different attributes, and the player has a choice to \"use cover\" if desired, if not, he will not gain the damge reduction.

*please Comment

[Karyuu]

So basically characters will be able to use the various elements of the landscape to avoid damage from attacks? I like it. It is realistic, and sounds a lot more fun, too - characters will be able to select a \"battleground\" that will provide maximum protection from their targets (e.g., in a guild war), and strategize on how to use the environment most efficiently. Or elements of the landscape could enhance attacks. An earth-based spell, when you\'re hiding behind a boulder, may augment itself through the stone and use the stone itself in a physical attack as well as magical energy. Characters will have to be much more aware of where they are and how things can be used :)

[DaveG]

I like this idea allot... though we have to get rid of the ability to shoot magic through anything and everything, first.  

This would be even more interesting when projectile weapons are implemented.

[Kiva]

Sure and we could make the fighting turn based as well. Err...


Anyway, standing at an oak tree shouldn\'t necessarily provide any protection what-so-ever, but standing behind one would give you some cover.

However, there\'s a thing I don\'t understand about your suggestion. Why would people only gain a percentage of protection from hiding somewhere? I mean, an archer doesn\'t get terribly bad at shooting arrows simply because you\'re half hidden, or simply because you turn your back at him or something. Either you\'re covered, or you\'re not. On the other hand, it might decrease someone\'s chance to hit you, but damage reduction? Not a chance. If you hide behind a tree and someone shoots at you. He might miss a lot more because there\'s a tree standing in the way, but if he hits, you still get just as much shot as if the tree hadn\'t been there at all. Ouch.

[Einhander]

Thats why I said players have the ability to \"USE\" cover when doing so.

[Darkblade]

Cover wouldn\'t provide damage reduction, just make it harder for both sides to hit.
After all, if you stand behind a tree, what are the chances that you can hit someone on the other side of the tree, or vice versa?

Either you\'re covered, or you\'re not.

I\'d go a bit farther than that.
Either you have partial cover, or full cover, I say.

Partial, would be peeking out from behind a tree, and so, you could hit others will a slight inconvenience (They have more room to dodge attacks,) while you have a better chance of not being hit.
Full cover, is more like where you cannot see your opponent (And therfore can\'t hit them), and they can\'t see you (And can\'t hit you).

But I don\'t think cover justifies a damage reduction.
Sure, it\'ll affect hit chances, but if I hit a player who has, say, 20% cover from a tree, it\'s not going to hurt less, as Kiva has said.

Thats why I said players have the ability to \"USE\" cover when doing so.

Ability to use cover? As in choosing? Like I choose whether to use this wall which covers me from my opponent, if not, it acts as if it doesn\'t exist?

In general, with some objects, that\'d work, like bushes.
But, for solid objects which present a physical barrier, I\'d think that, regardless of whether you choose or not, if you\'re fully covered, or even partially, you\'d get the cover if they attacked you.
Especially if it was like a surprise attack, another player cannot, or should not, be able to attack through a wall and hit a player, unless the attacker had some ability that allowed him to.

All in all, I think it\'s a good idea, but I do agree with Kiva in the fact that standing near an object shouldn\'t necessarily provide cover, or provide damage reduction.

[Jackers]

The system should work as it works in real life. If your behind a tree, lets say a really big tree, then archer has no chance to hit couse he cant see you. Eventually he can shot at the tree but thats pointless. But then if the guy behind the tree want to take a look at the archer, sticks his head out and in that moment arrow hits him in the head, then \"another one bites the dust\"  . So landscape give cover, but you cant calculate bonuses like that (this is not Civilization   ). It would be useful when youre low on HP and need to hide for a moment to heal or stuff like that.

[DaveG]

Ok... you\'re all missing one key point, here.  You can\'t, how should I put it... AIM...  So, because of the targeting based system, hitting/missing would be randomized based on distance, movement, and various stats.  Now, say half of of you is behind a tree (from the attacker\'s perspective), then you\'d only get 50% of the cover effect from the tree.  (fully behind, and yeah, full cover)  Now, say the attacker is using a powerful magic that might penetrate the tree, and you\'d need to add another chance for that.  So, yes, percentages would be needed to calculate cover.

To make things more advanced, it could take into account what individual body parts are covered and what aren\'t.  (aka a head shot is more damaging than a leg shot)

[Jackers]

But if our character is like uhm one whole and tkes same damage no matter what body part was hitted, then beeing 50% hiden behind a tree doesnt lower the damage by 50%. About that that magic: but on what base would be those calculations made? Type of wood or stone?    Just kidding    Eventually some offensive spells should have the ability to penetrate obstacles, and the damage dealt the the persone behind obstacle should depend from anything that affect spellcasting power (skills, etc.). That would be the only calculation.

[Shasta Soda]

OH, and lets say if you have a really high magic level, you can steer your magic around some object to hit an enemy.