so the Martyr subclass has gone undeveloped for a while now. I had some thoughts as to how that might be worked out.
1. The Martyr can choose to preach to armies in order raise the moral and cohesion of any troops that are led by a member of their religion. In addition they have the ability "Last rights" in which they are present at battles seeing that dieing members of their faith receive proper death rites. They must activate this ability before the battle. This raises moral and cohesion even more but carries with it the risk that the Martyr will be killed in battle.
2. The Martyr functions much like a normal troop leader, however when telling tales there is a slight chance that they will convert a few peasants to their faith as well as raise moral. However they will not have any of the other priest abilities.
Also I'd suggest calling it something other then Martyr. I'd go with Battle Abbot for option 1 and Paladin for option 2.
There is no "unfinished Martyr subclass."
"Martyr" is just another flavor-name for hero.
But the Priest Hero combination as far as I know has no difference from a regular priest, so it's not a very attractive combination to take.
It actually takes away one of the defining characteristics of a hero (the ability to die in battle) since priests can't participate in battles.
A Priest/Hero can still tell tales. ;)
You are correct, though, in that the combination has no particular merit. I've always been a fan of allowing priest/heroes to die if they get too bad of a beating when preaching or performing other priest actions. Maybe compensate by giving them a slightly higher conversion rate when preaching.
We do have plans to improve the Hero subclass generally, and its synergy with various main classes; however, it's not high on the list.
And I'm afraid even when it is improved, it'll still just be called "Priest/Hero"...not "Battle Abbot."
How do they tell tales if they're never in battle?
Tell tales of battle long ago? Expound on the exploits of other heroes of the faith?
I meant gameplay wise as a hero you need to have been in a battle recently to tell tales right?
I never bothered to track that.
Oh, I played a hero for a while and I'm pretty sure you get the ability more often if you've been in a battle.
Quote from: Indirik on May 25, 2013, 08:50:28 PM
I've always been a fan of allowing priest/heroes to die if they get too bad of a beating when preaching or performing other priest actions. Maybe compensate by giving them a slightly higher conversion rate when preaching.
Sounds cool.
Then the Martyr RP label would be appropriate!
Quote from: pcw27 on May 25, 2013, 09:24:14 PM
I meant gameplay wise as a hero you need to have been in a battle recently to tell tales right?
No
Quote from: Tom on May 26, 2013, 11:46:34 AM
No
*yells out loudly to the other gunners* Let's go people! The Aircraft Carrier Cannon isn't going to load itself!
Quote from: Indirik on May 25, 2013, 08:50:28 PM
I've always been a fan of allowing priest/heroes to die if they get too bad of a beating when preaching or performing other priest actions. Maybe compensate by giving them a slightly higher conversion rate when preaching.
And yeah, this is a good idea right here.
Quote from: pcw27 on May 25, 2013, 08:34:45 PM
But the Priest Hero combination as far as I know has no difference from a regular priest, so it's not a very attractive combination to take.
It actually takes away one of the defining characteristics of a hero (the ability to die in battle) since priests can't participate in battles.
Priest/Hero is a badass class combination. It gives the priest all of the heroes' perks and none of its drawbacks (ability to die in combat). Well, it does leave you with one drawback, the inability to change subclasses again...
Also the gather recruits ability disappears since you don't have a unit, although this might change if the idea of priests being able to buy an entourage gets traction.
I think the only ability you keep is the Tell Tales. Other than that... you really don't get anything at all.
Quote from: Indirik on May 28, 2013, 10:34:01 PM
I think the only ability you keep is the Tell Tales. Other than that... you really don't get anything at all.
Which is definitely unbalancing because you remove the only drawback but keep a perk.
Quote from: pcw27 on May 30, 2013, 09:53:04 PM
Which is definitely unbalancing because you remove the only drawback but keep a perk.
You can't recruit a unit, I believe...
Quote from: pcw27 on May 30, 2013, 09:53:04 PM
Which is definitely unbalancing because you remove the only drawback but keep a perk.
I wouldn't call it unbalancing. It's a rarely used option, and of not that much utility. In addition, having the hero subclass prevents you from taking the other vastly more useful subclass of Diplomat/Ambassador.