Droid Engineer Archive
Thread: Drashk, how about looking into some little love.
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Straker_Atrella
Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:48 pm
#1
I know JTL, Combat Revamp, and many other things come first. Were not a huge priority right now, that's fine, I understand.
Yet there is one very small thing that could be done, that "should" be very simple to do.
For the love of Vader, balance out Droid HAMs.
Our Combat Droids are fine, their HAM is balanced and where it should be. The HAM on everything else is really way to low. This really came to my attention when people were complaining about their Power Droids getting smushed, while working in a "tank" droid group. A power droid can wear armor, and should be able to recharge droids in the group, yet it's low HAM makes it totally impractical.
The HAM on a BLL is just silly.
I can't think of a single balance reason other chasis shoudl not have HAM at least close to what our combat droids do. It would at least open some more options. A Stim BLL for example 
Low priority? Yea. Yet, it "seems" like this should just be a couple of simple code changes. Shouldn't be that hard at all.
RasalTheWise
Wed Oct 13, 2004 4:12 pm
#2
Power droids should get "smushed" in combat situations. They're not built for combat, like the other non-combat chassis. I think the HAMs for the other chassis are fine. If ANYTHING needs to be done with power droids, its their power recharging issue. They should RARELY need charging...
Straker_Atrella
Wed Oct 13, 2004 4:15 pm
#3
What makes a Power Droid less of a Tank then an R3 or an LE? By looks, shape, and simplicity, a power droid should be tougher then an R3.
_KernMist
Fri Oct 15, 2004 4:16 am
#4
Plus you have the problems of other HAM related issues like Protocols with Entertainer modules. A 45 HAM does not make many special effects for customers...
Jjiaah
Fri Oct 15, 2004 4:58 am
#5
Straker_Atrella wrote:
The HAM on a BLL is just silly.
I have to agree with this whole proposition, especially the BLL. There's something wrong whena metal behemoth ofthis size and apparent durability (ie load lifter) can get spanked down by the lowliest of newbie creatures.... in just a single hit. When translated even fantastically to the realworld, the BLL would only be able to move things like styro-peanuts or small rolls of bubble-packing. Anything heavier than a Poptart would break the dang thing in half. In it's current state, the BLL should be a Chef item as it's got all the stamina and solidity of a sugar sculpture. And that's being generous. 
Message Edited by Jjiaah on 10-15-2004 05:03 AM
Drashk
Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:13 am
#6
Here is the one thing that needs to be pointed out in this thread.
Power Droids, MSE, Treadwells, Surgicial Droids, Protocol Droids, and BLLs are not intended for combat, the way the system is set up. No matter what the HAM value of these droids, they will still not be useful ina combat environment. Increasing the HAM values of non-combat droids won't matter, since the droid will still run away by default.
Only Combat Droids are designed to withstand damage and stand up in combat. If we really want to push this issue, then the route to go would be to push for combat capabilities in all droid types.
Jenden
Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:19 am
#7
Drashk wrote:
Here is the one thing that needs to be pointed out in this thread.
Power Droids, MSE, Treadwells, Surgicial Droids, Protocol Droids, and BLLs are not intended for combat, the way the system is set up. No matter what the HAM value of these droids, they will still not be useful ina combat environment. Increasing the HAM values of non-combat droids won't matter, since the droid will still run away by default.
Only Combat Droids are designed to withstand damage and stand up in combat. If we really want to push this issue, then the route to go would be to push for combat capabilities in all droid types.
I think one of the concerns isn't so much combat, its other droid capabilities. I know quite a few musicians that would like an Protocol droid as their music droid, but can't due to the HAM (whenever you have the droid flourish it takes up HAM).
Drashk
Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:45 am
#8
Jenden wrote:
I think one of the concerns isn't so much combat, its other droid capabilities. I know quite a few musicians that would like an Protocol droid as their music droid, but can't due to the HAM (whenever you have the droid flourish it takes up HAM).
I didn't know about the HAM use on entertainment droids. I guess I need to do some testing.
Speaking of which, I'm guessing that following is incorrect information then? Looks like I need to update the Issues thread, if this is the case.
- Playback Module
- Only works once in a Protocol, Surgical, and/or LE Repair Droid. After the first use, the module no longer functions.
Jenden
Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:56 am
#9
Drashk wrote:
Jenden wrote:
I think one of the concerns isn't so much combat, its other droid capabilities. I know quite a few musicians that would like an Protocol droid as their music droid, but can't due to the HAM (whenever you have the droid flourish it takes up HAM).
I didn't know about the HAM use on entertainment droids. I guess I need to do some testing.
Speaking of which, I'm guessing that following is incorrect information then? Looks like I need to update the Issues thread, if this is the case.
- Playback Module
- Only works once in a Protocol, Surgical, and/or LE Repair Droid. After the first use, the module no longer functions.
Yea, thats no longer correct. They function great now, but whenever you use /bandflo to make them flourish it takes HAM.
Straker_Atrella
Fri Oct 15, 2004 3:44 pm
#10
Drashk wrote:
Here is the one thing that needs to be pointed out in this thread.
Power Droids, MSE, Treadwells, Surgicial Droids, Protocol Droids, and BLLs are not intended for combat, the way the system is set up. No matter what the HAM value of these droids, they will still not be useful ina combat environment. Increasing the HAM values of non-combat droids won't matter, since the droid will still run away by default.
Only Combat Droids are designed to withstand damage and stand up in combat. If we really want to push this issue, then the route to go would be to push for combat capabilities in all droid types.
Drashk I understand that, I wouldn't want them to be anywhere close to a combat droids value, them running also makes sense.
However, I must ask this then. If they are not intended for combat, why do they have spots for Armor? The BLL has 3 slots. Even if you put level 6 armor on a 45 HAM droid, a butterfly will still one hit it.
I'm not asking for HAM to equal combat droids, for non-combat droids to fight or not run from a fight. All I am asking is that any Droid that has a Defensive module slot to actually be able to take a hit or two. Otherwise, what is the point of the armor?
Drashk
Fri Oct 15, 2004 4:19 pm
#11
Straker_Atrella wrote:
If they are not intended for combat, why do they have spots for Armor?
I wasn't in SWG Beta, but the buzz word that I recall is that all droids were originally intented to have combat function, but as the game was developed this option was removed.
When the Combat Revamp Sandbox opens up, I'll be sure to bring up a HAM adjustment for all droids,since we couldsee one happen to our combat droids.I think that we would have a better chance to see a little bump on HAM values then, then right now during JtL crunch time.
Straker_Atrella
Fri Oct 15, 2004 4:36 pm
#12
Heh, I wasn't expecting it now man, I know they are busy, and things move slow. I just wanted to get the idea out and see if you could float it a bit, just because it can't be WORKED on now doesn't mean it can't be TALKED about now. If the right people agree, it could be added to the right "list" somewhere.
psikobunny
Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:48 pm
#13
I agree. I posted about consistent HAM values a few months ago myself. My motivation was the HAM cost for music flourishes. (Wanted a musical Power Droid once....)
http://forums.station.sony.com/swg/board/message?board.id=droid_engineer&message.id=88576&highlight=hidden#M88576
However,disagree withDrashk's assertion that we would "need" to make all the droid types into Combat capable droids in order for this to go through. I think its a simple matter of consistency. An object, whether intended to fight or not, should be as tough as it looks. Vehicles get consistent HAM values, bikes are weaker than speeders. I think I can safely say the bigger ships in JTL will be able to take more damage than little ones.
Don't droids become vulnerable in TEF situations? Yeah they are going to run, but so what?
Simple logic dictates that MSEs and WEDs would be the weakest flimsiest droids, and BLLs the toughest. As itstands, the toughest droid we make looks like it was made with inch and a quarter steel pipes, some salad bowls,and copper wire.
edit- added the URL for my old post
Message Edited by psikobunny on 10-16-2004 03:54 AM
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