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Shifters v.1.12c

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Shifter's Book, part 16'th:
...and the great tournament is held once in 100 years to find the most deserving shifter to take the High Shifter's title and the Horn of Power...


Gameplay
Tired of playing one hero all the game?

Shifter is a druid who devoted most of his life researching the art of transformation (or shifting). He uses his soul to change his body.
You can become a ferocious bear, a vicious wolf or a cunning tiger. You can learn and evolve your forms. If your knowledge is enough high, you can morph into a lot more powerful and dangerous creatures - a giant turtle, treant, dragonspawn. You can become one of four elements and mix two of them together. You try a devastating daemon or a powerful celestial form.
Of cource, shifter is not limited by only transformations. He can equip himself with magic artifacts, such as staffs and robes or learn druidic spells that can bind power of nature to your will.

So you can pick such of following:
- 4 animal forms
- 5 beast forms
- 4 elemental forms and one mixform
- 3 greater forms
- elder form for each, even your original one!
- 11 active druidic spells, that can be used with your original form; and also some upgrades.
- 9 different types of staffs (like staff of water, fire, agility or poison...) and 6 types of robes (like robe of heat, frost, mirrors...), which have 4 levels of power, from lesser up to high one. With that level increasing they gain new properties, new active and passive abilities.
- different support items, simple scrolls and potions and special ones, like "Disform wand" or "Mirror wand".
- some secrets and even more interesting things!

You can choose game modes, which include:
FFA - as simple as ever.
Team - in that mode you are randomly divided into two teams that fight together.
Hide-and-seek - try hide-and-seek game using lovely temporary form to shift into trees and critters!
Extra modes: Wandering spirits, Double life

It is not easy to survive through all the battles. Your speed, strength and skill are to match in this tournament.


Special tnx to Hive modellers.
Map is protected.



- new minimap preview.
- some design changes.
- fixed an issue with player’s “disappearance” from multiboard.
- hint for Player 1, about rounds number command.
- when you damage someone, you’ll see a hint about “preybind” timer.
- “Clayslow” (Clay elemental) chance increased from 24% to 30%.
- fixed an issue with bots staying in a human forms and not shifting.
- fixed a bug with all consumables having cooldown at the same time.
- hotkeys for Scrolls of Saturation changed.
- floating text with bounty now appears at the position of dying hero.
- now bounty decreases by 20% (15% before) when killed and bounty-gaining factor increased from 25% to 30%.
- improved decoration of “Stony Canyon” arena.
- some code optimizations.



I’m making a short changelog from an extremely long one.

New:
- better translation.
- a new form – Swamp Beast form (level 6). Has quite unique parametras, especially for team mode.
- arena with portal labyrinth replaced with a new one – “Magic garden” arena.
Magic garden:
* advantageous for Celestial, Daemon and Astral spirit forms
* spell aftermath effects
- new minigame – “Hit the bear!”
- new extra mode – “Wandering spirits”. Many different spirits are spawned through arena, killing them induces various effects.
- removed loadscreen and optimized many models, thus map size reduced.
- some forms’ abilities remade.
- new models for ice and smoke elementals.
- various landscape improvements.
- one of 5 various “Hell” effects when “Hell” timer reaches zero.
-

Bugfix:
- many ability bugs were fixed.
- some abilities’ abuses were fixed.
- bug with incorrect bounties for Horn victory fixed.
- some bugs with AI were fixed.

System:
- many code optimizations.
- a lot of leaks were removed.
- some fatal errors fixed.
- AI slightly improved.

Gameplay:
- “preybind” timer was reduced to 1.5 seconds.
- illusions aren’t counted at victory check anymore.
- “Marble and Lava” arena now advantageous for fire and lava elementals and disadvantageous for ice one.
- “Snowy forest” is now advantageous for ice elemental and disadvantageous for fire and lava ones.
- “River” is no more disadvantageous for Fire elemental.


Balance:
- a lot of balance improvements. Units, items and spells now have a much better balance (about hundred various changes were shortened into this).

Minigames:
- minigame “Arrowpush” – now has a “fake” arrow.
- minigame “Critters rush - now there's 4 lives, not 2
- minigame “Battle with Kael” – now money is added over time.
- descriptions and design of some minigames slightly improved.
- some bugs with minigames fixed.


Other:
- execution, design and description improved (again a lot changes were shortened into one phrase).
- some sound backgrounds added.
- some new names and ondeath messages.


Keywords:
Shifters, Druid, Arena, Morph, Shift, Transform, Mini-Game, Elements, Werewolfs
Contents

Shifters v.1.12c (Map)

Reviews
15:14, 13th Aug 2010 ap0calypse: Approved
Level 14
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
1,568
Well, that sounds nice. Testing.

The terrain. Well the terrain could use some tile variation and hills. It was flat and there were lots of blizzard cliffs. Make it better.
The Gameplay. It was pretty fun, and there is AI. I didn't test all the morphs so i don't know if its balanced.
Other. There were typos, you might want to fix them. The game was lagless, but in the start i had HUGE lag spike. The description at hive is good i think.

Fun map with some things that needs to be fixed. 3/5, vote for approval.

EDIT: Oh, where did you get that Angel model? It's awesome.
 
Level 3
Joined
Oct 17, 2008
Messages
38
i try to play this after sauna
description sounds cool
hope its not to confusing^.^
 
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
Well, I'm not landscaper. Maybe later... Still I've thought about making river nicer.
Huge lags in start - maybe, but there is also 60-100 sec before first round.
Valo, map is quite confusing at the first time.

Angel? Downloaded here=)
 
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
Keh, try purchasing a staff, +2 to speed or Thunder at beginning. If your reflexes are good, you might end with 100% kills anyway. Though wolf form magnificently counters human form...
Well, 12 druidic spells are rather powerful.

Try morphing in a tree or a critter! It's fun when you're playing humans.
 
Level 7
Joined
Jul 9, 2006
Messages
227
Ye, I'll try to go full humie next time... I think it's better to research speed twice at the start, though, it gives you +55 movement speed, and that outruns wolves (if I'm right...?).

Also, I suggest making the leveling up go slower, or make the host able to set how fast it goes, make the host able to select the number of rounds, and putting more time in between rounds, because if you've gained a lot of gold and you're 'noob', you have extremely much choices to consider, and 1 min usually is not long enough...
 
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
No, wrong, wolves have rushing strike. This ability totally counters roots.

Host is able to decide the number of rounds, just type -XX at beginning, XX - number of rounds. Though 10 is default.

Noob can just die (zomg) and there will be a plenty of time, you can purchase things after death.
Levelling up is constant, every item has its own "lvlup" parameter.
 
Level 1
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
539
i really enjoyed your game...but the mixed elementals arent that strong as i thought( i.e. a full upgraded water elemental would probably bash an ice elemtal)
so how about... if both norm elementals have been upgraded to elder...the mixed form should become "elder" form too
would be actually pretty nice =3

btw how about a changelog?_?
 
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
I guess mixed can be empowered a bit...+some damage + some attack speed +some HP probably would do it
so how about... if both norm elementals have been upgraded to elder...the mixed form should become "elder" form too
Mmm...really. But their power should be at least as full-upgraded higher one (demon). Because that'd cost ALOT of money. And it will take some time to make 6 new abilities.
btw how about a changelog?_?
What do you mean
 
Level 1
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
539
I guess mixed can be empowered a bit...+some damage + some attack speed +some HP probably would do it
hope so

Mmm...really. But their power should be at least as full-upgraded higher one (demon). Because that'd cost ALOT of money. And it will take some time to make 6 new abilities.
well the ice elemental actually isnt.
as i said, water elemental would easily bash it.

What do you mean

a change log is some kind of "list" where you post thestuff that has been changed from map version to map version.
look at some other maps and you should know what i mean.
 
Level 9
Joined
Apr 11, 2008
Messages
515
too easy for me:/
i just buy everything i can with wolf(starts with 500 gold and DM) then i easily pwn the most coz of speed you can basicly just rush strike run away get more mana repeat(also coz of hunger your guaranteed leetness) then when you can get gnoll thing and upgrade full get mantle of heat,staff of fire upgrade to max = 1337ness since gnoll warden have a great ranged attack:D and if you loose to much hp shift to wolf rush strike away and find a healing thingie:D

ima so gonna play this at my next lan xD
 
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
Well, it's actually one of good strategies. But there is A LOT more good ones.
AI can help you to understand game a little, but it is not match for good players. Playing humans is a lot more entertaining.

And I've updated map only once.
 
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
easy receives 100% gold
normal 130% insane 160% or smth like that

AI have to play REALLY good to make easy one play easier. Some players don't agree but I think AI is meat. It's actually hard to make ai in map where your speed and intellegence makes difference...
And i've taught them to climb elevators and don't walk in lava too often=)

Smbd knows good model as a "shift" effect?
 
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
I usually buy +thunder (starting money 100©), +bear form (to live), +2 to speed, +temporary form + balance +3 bear defence +2 energy+3 meditation. After that buy smth to raise lvl up to 30, buy +2 30 lvl spells and epic shifter.
Upgrades like "meditation" and "regeneration" are useful even if you do not use human form. You can always morph into human and regenerate much faster...
 
Level 7
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
317
The description I am reading looks pretty nice. I'll be trying it now.

EDIT: Great map but the Tree is rigged, he's really really strong, attacks super fast and has lots of HP. Should nerf him a little. The game name really sucks, no body joins a game called shifters so I had to change the name when I hosted from "Shifters" To "The S.H.I.F.T.E.R.S", which got A LOT more attention, I recommend you rename the game :)

I have also had people in my game saying the Game Screen icon (In the game lobby, top right), sucks, which should be changed if you rename your game.
I had to get my friends to fill up most of the slots because of the boring name of the game, however, a lot of work has gone into this game.

My Rating: 4.5/5.
 
Last edited:
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
Rename? Well, I guess, that could be done. In russian that sounds much better though. =)

Map preview really sucks, but I do not have any worthy and fitting picture to replace it.

And more... It's unnecessary to fill all the slots. 8 players is enough most of the time. If you want to fill all the slots so badly, you can always use AI, it's pretty clever and moves quite good at every arena, including lava one.
 
Level 9
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
576
hey i played this many times last version and yes no one joined, but it is a really great map !! many possibilities that makes the game replayable a lot, but maybe it goes too quick to the final forms.
There were some bugs too but i don't remember.
I used to play as the original form a lot, it's a cool strategy.
There are secrets things ? o_0 never found anything
I'll replay this so, ty for the tip Azndragon as for the title of the map !
I'll rate this map 4.5/5 too due to the entertaining potential and the quality of spells, items etc...
 
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
Queer word usage? Well, I'm still learning english (through anime subs 0_o), so there's nothing to be surprised.

yes no one joined
Any ideas about new name and preview?
many possibilities that makes the game replayable a lot, but maybe it goes too quick to the final forms.
There are secrets things ? o_0 never found anything
Well, there are some secrets like critter eating; some special tricks during minigame and gameplay.
I could use your help to improve this map. =)
Still I have a great orpg with thousands of text lines that are not easy to translate, but I can spend some time improving Shifters...
 
Level 9
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
576
I don't know what i can say to make the map become better ^^ but i guess the level gain (when you buy and use items) should be lowered because, as for example : i bought upgrades for my druid form during round 1 (with 250 gold) so i went to level 6, then, in round 2, i bought turtle form, and at round 4 i had the elder turtle form and my level was around 25-30 don't remember, in FOUR rounds o_0

And the time to buy items needs to be increased by 30 seconds too !
What do you mean by critter eating ? we can eat critters ? ^_^' or we can make them eat something lol it's weird
 
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
Lower the level gain? Why? You must have a decent amount of money to turn into "DAEMON ALL KILL STYLE!"
Level gaining is fast if you're winning, that's natural.
What do you mean by critter eating ? we can eat critters ? ^_^' or we can make them eat something lol it's weird
Animal forms can kill (eat :D) critters. Bloody splash effect means that you've recovered some health by killing it.
 
Level 9
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
576
yes but when you play pub, i always own them easily :p
I would lower the level gain from some forms or elders forms because it's really easy to level up in my opinion.
lol imba secret in animal form ^^

and i played agaisnt AI this time, they all did the same thing, buy a staff and a powder, one of them upgraded his staff until greater staff and one of them bought the bear form, the other the dragon form, and that's all. Most of them didn't ugprade their staff more than once, and didn't even shifted one time ^^
the bear sucked but it's ok it's AI
During this AI game, i found a bug, when you kill a player (or maybe it only happens when you kill an AI player), it shows sometimes the wrong name and you earn 0 gold.
The other bug, i guess, is that the root spell, the active one, the first spell, in original or epic shifter form, never works !!! on critters, on players or during mini games, it never works ! i remember it worked well before.
And you should (no YOU MUST -please xD-) show a message at start, or a dialog box in order to change the number of rounds !! I always forget to write -20 or smthg like that !! 10 rounds is too less (i guess it's 10)


EDIT : i forgot something : the regeneration item and meditation item, does it do the same effect ? mana regeneration ? i thought in vers 1.09 one was for life and the other for mana, not both for mana.
 
Level 4
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
32
During this AI game, i found a bug, when you kill a player (or maybe it only happens when you kill an AI player), it shows sometimes the wrong name and you earn 0 gold.
That's not a bug, there is "killer bind" function. When you damage someone, for 1.5 second this enemy is bound as your prey so he wouldn't be stolen.
and i played agaisnt AI this time, they all did the same thing, buy a staff and a powder, one of them upgraded his staff until greater staff and one of them bought the bear form, the other the dragon form, and that's all. Most of them didn't ugprade their staff more than once, and didn't even shifted one time ^^
the bear sucked but it's ok it's AI
Well, they must do different things. But I won't teach them to use human form tactic though.
And you should (no YOU MUST -please xD-) show a message at start
Can be done, tnx. I forget about it (both rounds and adding a message) too. =)
EDIT : i forgot something : the regeneration item and meditation item, does it do the same effect ?
I could've made a mistake... Of course one for mana and one for life.
 
Level 9
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
576
Cool "killer bind" function !!
But when you don't know it exists, you keep trying to kill them and you say "OMFG WTF ITS BUGUED" !!
Yesterday, i found a bug, a player in the scoreboard wasn't shown (it was blakc instead) but at start he was scored in...

So, in my opinion, next update should fix this bug, the mistake about regeneration and meditation item, add some tips automatically shown at start like how to change the number of rounds, and one which explains the "killer bind" function because when you know it, your gameplay will change (you won't try to steal others).

And we can't mix water and fire elemental, am i right ?
 
Level 9
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
576
Ok but it didn't work last time i tried it.
I bought elder water form first, then elder fire form and then i bought the epic shifter but it didn't mix anything...
And the golem elemental (i mean earth + water) was boringgggggggg i prefered a lot water one, because he had no actives abilities.

PS : i can't have a fullhouse, this sux :x Find a new name or make pub about your awesome map pplz :p
 
Level 9
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
576
Ok i know why it didn't work last time, i forgot to buy the mix form spell xD
And COOL A NEW VERSION !
I read the changelog and it roxx that u changed the cooldown on every consumable etc... it was really annoying and i forgot to tell you !

Ah !
But i also forgot to mention that the Demonic Form (lvl 45 required) which is blue and can't regen without attacking, is overpowered, it can do 800 dmg in one spell i guess, it's the swap spell, distance*4.8 is really high, even in a melee fight i could do 500 dmg i think i don't remember. You have to change this spell !! (i'm really annoyed because you already updated it)
 
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