Techtree Contest #15 - Co-op Commanders [Optionally Paired]

[Wazzz]

Contestants are to create a techtree themed around a chosen Warcraft hero/character. Your submission must fit the theme of the chosen hero and ideally capture a style of gameplay attributed to them.

In this contest, I feel it is important to emphasize that entries can meet the minimum requirements to effectively be a campaign faction. Contestants are encouraged to think outside of the box, and there will be a scoring bias towards Creativity, especially if it plays well in the melee format.

• Entries that play well in the melee format will score higher than entries that do not.
• Entries that present a cohesive theme around the declared hero type or character name will score higher than entries that do not.
• Your faction must contain at least 6 non-hero units.
• Your faction must contain at least 1 hero unit.
• Your faction must contain at least 6 buildings (if your faction has more than 1 defense tower, they will all count as 1).
• Submissions must specify whether they are intended for HD or SD.

• Submissions must follow the Map Submission Rules.
• Submissions may not begin development before the contest start date.
  
• Finding voice actors, or testers to test multiplayer mode isn't considered as teamwork, and is allowed.
• You must download either of the provided template maps, make the edits, and resubmit it as entry.
• The map must be playable in battle net. (current max map size is 256MB, for example)
• Using imports is allowed as long as it follows Resource Submission Rules (Models, skins, icons, spells).
• The submission must be unprotected so that it's openable via the normal WorldEditor.

Breaking any of these rules may lead to punishment in the judgement score, up to disqualification from the contest, depending on the weight of the issue. In case of doubts towards a certain rule, you are very encouraged to discuss it in the contest thread so others and judges may help with sorting it out.

Helpful Links: Custom Race System, Design Guide for Fifth Race by MCV, How to create Full-working custom race, Guide to make a Race. (Provided by VeljkoM)

• 1st place: 75 reputation points
• 2nd place: 50 reputation points
• 3rd place: 25 reputation points
• Entry: 15 reputation points
• Judge: 15 reputation points per entry

The three winning teams will receive an award icon, representing the winning entry.​

• Wazzz
• Kam

Note: If you have any questions regarding how the contest is going to be judged, feel free to ask the Judges first hand to get their personal insights. Answers provided will not give you insight as to whether or not your entry is meeting that criteria, as that would be coaching.

Theme	How well the various elements of the Faction (including aesthetics, gameplay & design) fit together in a thematic manner such that they feel like they are representative of the given Faction, as well as that of the chosen Contest Theme. Well-fitting & polished aesthetics which complement a cohesive theme will be graded well; poorly-considered or lacking thematic elements will result in a poor score.	/25
Gameplay	How well the various elements of the Faction work together to achieve the tactical synergy & gameplay style the Faction has, as well as how efficiently each element performs its particular function. Strategic systems that endow an identity to the Faction, comprehensive & well-though-out roles which complement a cohesive Faction will be graded well; ill-considered, insufficient or over-compensating roles will lose points.	/25
Balance	Indicates how comparable the Faction is in terms of 'playability'; i.e. the ideal Faction should win/lose 50% of the time against default races. Overpowered or Underpowered units/heroes/abilities/etc. will result in a poor score; properly balanced elements will result in a good score.	/20
Creativity	How original the design of the Faction is in terms of innovative ideas, clever implementations, or creative concepts. Innovation and creativity will be rewarded; extensive re-use of existing elements in vanilla factions & poor originality will result in a poor score.	/30
		/100

Results calculation

• Judgement: 70%
• Poll: 30%

FinalScore = (30*Reached_Votes/POSSIBLE_VOTES) + (70*Average_Judge_Score/POSSIBLE_SCORE)

​

The contest shall begin on 29th of May 2020 and conclude on 29th of July 2020 GMT (day is included).

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Assigned Staff: @Mythic

Previous Contest | Poll | Results

 

[Daffa]

Can we talk about the scoring criteria? I think balance doesn't get the proper recognition it deserves. At least, it should be on equal ground with gameplay in my perspective.

Since we can ask personal insights now, may I hear your insight @Wazzz @Kam?

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Post edited by @Mythic

Contestants	Progress	Entry
Riki Martin	1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5	Grom Hellscream
MyPad	1 | 2 | 3 | 4	Mal'furion
Daffa	1 | 2	Cairne Bloodhoof
Ether	1 | 2	King Mrgl-Mrgl
GhostOfPast	1 | 2	Name
Footman16	1 | 2	Jaina
johnwar	1 | 2 | 3	Lady Liadrin
Moonman	1 | 2 | 3	Jaina
Astaroth Zion	1 | 2	Gelbin Mekkatorque
Directive255	1 | 2	Maiev
xYours Trulyx	1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5	Chen Stormstout
Leods	1 | 2	Garrosh Hellscream
SgtWinter	1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6	Kel'Thuzad
Bangsgaard	1 | 2	Arthas
AMarkov	1 | 2 | 3	Uther
The_Spellweaver	1 | 2	Cho'Gall
MrRious	1 | 2	Antonidas
MogulKahn	1 | 2	Falstad Wildhammer
Spellbound	1 | 2	Antonidas
The_Warchief	1 | 2	Archimonde
Mythic	1 | 2	Lord Garithos
Name	1 | 2	Name
Name	1 | 2	Name

 

[Wazzz]

@Daffa absolutely. And that's a good point - there has been less emphasis put on it in past, I think because of the difficulty associated with it, but maybe it can get some more recognition again.

How about... Balance being out of 10, and Creativity being out of 20? I'd be curious to hear people's thoughts on it.

 

[Daffa]

@Daffa absolutely. And that's a good point - there has been less emphasis put on it in past, I think because of the difficulty associated with it, but maybe it can get some more recognition again.

How about... Balance being out of 10, and Creativity being out of 20? I'd be curious to hear people's thoughts on it.

I'm up for this, either that or perhaps /15 on gameplay if people think that Creativity is being too high for /20.

 

[Wazzz]

That's true, and gameplay is pretty important. It would give quite a bit more wiggle room in the judging aspect as well, for putting an emphasis on how the faction actually plays.

 

[MyPad]

Hmm, it does seem weird that the banner states "Entry for the 14th Contest", and not 15th Contest.

 

[Wazzz]

Oh snap, that's a good find. That might need an update lol

 

[Riki]

Wow, I didn't expect this haha.

Can I choose the theme for my faction right now or should I wait a bit more?

 

[Daffa]

Best wait till its official.

 

[Wazzz]

You can definitely choose if you like - I think it is official to a degree, as in this is the theme we're going with, but the thread will be updated by @Mythic soon.

Hopefully this theme will be a lot of fun. I might even be tempted to make my own entry, which would have to be unofficial of course and done purely for entertainment purposes. I'll leave the actual competing to everybody else

 

[MyPad]

Contestants are to create a techtree themed around a chosen hero/character. Your submission must fit the theme of the chosen hero and ideally capture a style of gameplay attributed to them.

When selecting a character, are we restricted only to Blizzard characters (not exclusively warcraft), or can we go beyond that?

 

[Wazzz]

I'm tempted to say we can go beyond that, although I suppose my original thinking was Warcraft characters as a baseline, and maybe expanded Blizzard universe at most. I'd be curious to see what people's thoughts are on that, so I think for now I'll say it's strictly Warcraft.

We could potentially have an expanded Blizzard universe theme in a later contest, if the idea is popular enough.

 

[Riki]

I was thinking on a pair of ideas, but finally decided that my faction will be based on Grom Hellscream and the Warsong Clan, more precisely during their battle against Cenarius, so expect a very aggressive Orc faction

 

[Wazzz]

Ooh, I love that mission in the campaign

Very nice choice

 

[Daffa]

Time to think then. Let the think tank begins!

 

[Wazzz]

One thing I would definitely advocate doing would be either looking into the society of the faction you want to represent, or the tactics of the character you have chosen - ideally both if possible. From there, shaping ideas to fit in with the idea should come a little easier. That being said, you can also deviate away from that to branch out into your own ideas, but either way having that core design philosophy should help gear things towards the outcome you want.

I will be working on my own creation for it, although I'll hold off on revealing too much just yet in case somebody chooses the commander I'm wanting to explore myself - wouldn't want to steal their thunder

 

[MyPad]

Mal'furion is a Sith Lord.
That being said, I'm going with Furion, tree-hugging and all.

 

[Daffa]

Great! Grom, and Furion. What's next?

Let's see... I think I need to take my pick soon.

 

[MyPad]

Not actually the entry I'm going with, but a video containing a system that I'm going to use in this contest:
(A custom buff panel)

 

[Daffa]

Is this team optional contest or solo contest?

 

[Wazzz]

Teams are an option, but you can also go solo if you want as well.

Teams of two, I should specify. Optionally paired

 

[Daffa]

Coolio. Thanks!

 

[Wazzz]

Sooo I totally forgot to upload the actual template maps we'd be using. So that's been fixed.
Felt it was about time we had a contest in Barrens

 

[Daffa]

I think I'll go with Cairne Bloodhoof.

"I dream of this!"

 

[Wazzz]

Cairne sounds like a very interesting choice, it's definitely given me ideas for possibilities

 

[Vinz]

For more flexibility, both the minimum non-hero unit and building counts have been lowered from 8 to 6.

The criteria scores have been modified. The possible score now adds up to 100.

Theme: 25
Gameplay: 25
Balance: 20
Creativity: 30

That said, contest approved. Good luck, fellas.

 

[Ether]

I'm signing up for this exciting contest.
I pick King Mrgl-Mrgl.

 

[Wazzz]

I have no idea who that is, and now I'm intrigued and looking him up

Now I have looked him up I am /very/ happy to see him get some love <3

 

[FlameofChange]

Well, that's a bit of cheating because WoW fangirls have plenty of space.
Here in good old Wc3 we have few heroes and characters.
I'm in and i haven't found anything which isn't heretical to my beliefs.

 

[MogulKahn]

Already started? Damn, can't wait to see what guys have in store for us. Really like this theme.

 

[Footman16]

Hmmmm, tempted to join but still thinking of what to go with. Theres a very sexy Jaina Spellpack in the resource section that could be fun to use for a Dalaran type race or could go reforged with High Elves and Blood Elves using some of my custom resources for either Anasterian or Lor'Themar.

 

[Barorque]

Will I put myself through this again

Have not 100% decided if I'll pair up... after all, if someone does all the spells, I might not learn that much as I did with last contest.

I'm tempted to go for Kul Tiras Jaina (the WoW Jaina, after she makes ammends for her treason to her people and family).

My thinking:
- Kul Tirans allow for relatively simple skins of the buildings (no more 3-6 hours per texture... I hope).
- Many haven't played WoW or followed Jaina's character development, so why not show it off.
- If I really go for this idea, the map would be partially flooded (still allowing for walking, but giving ships an advantage).
- I would risk to start off with pre built bases on both sides, hopefully this won't require any work for AI.
- Might give the enemy a special hero as well, which will definitely lower my balance score... but it will be fun to play.

Alright, that's it, I'm hyped and definitely in! Lets call the entry:

Daughter of the Sea

 

[Shar Dundred]

Will I put myself through this again

Have not 100% decided if I'll pair up... after all, if someone does all the spells, I might not learn that much as I did with last contest.

I'm tempted to go for Kul Tiras Jaina (the WoW Jaina, after she makes ammends for her treason to her people and family).

My thinking:
- Kul Tirans allow for relatively simple skins of the buildings (no more 3-6 hours per texture... I hope).
- Many haven't played WoW or followed Jaina's character development, so why not show it off.
- If I really go for this idea, the map would be partially flooded (still allowing for walking, but giving ships an advantage).
- I would risk to start off with pre built bases on both sides, hopefully this won't require any work for AI.
- Might give the enemy a special hero as well, which will definitely lower my balance score... but it will be fun to play.

Alright, that's it, I'm hyped and definitely in! Lets call the entry:

Daughter of the Sea

I was thinking Kul Tiras too (not Jaina though, I was thinking more about her father), though my knowledge of WoW material is pretty much non existant due to never having played it, but I do not see myself participating in this contest anyway.
I am very curious to see what you will come up with still!

 

[Barorque]

I was thinking Kul Tiras too (not Jaina though, I was thinking more about her father), though my knowledge of WoW material is pretty much non existant due to never having played it, but I do not see myself participating in this contest anyway.
I am very curious to see what you will come up with still!

If we end up with 2 Kul Tiran and another Jaina (Dalaran) entries, this will truly be epic

I do hope more than 2 Reforged ones will be present. If nobody is able to play them, or give a good critique, that would be kind of sad.

 

[Daffa]

Never played WOW but have watched the Jaina story. Loved her arc.

I was thinking of switching out from Cairne, but let's see what I can find first. Kinda hard to work on the units department if we need lore friendliness.

 

[Wazzz]

Lore friendliness isn't a must, but rather theme friendliness is, if that makes sense.

So, for example, if someone chose Muradin and went full dwarves, they could make whatever style dwarves they want. On the gameplay side of things, I'd want to see what someone can come up with that sort of captures what someone thinks of when it comes to Muradin or even dwarves in general. So this might entail a more defensive playstyle gearing towards turtling, or a slow moving siege heavy playstyle, likely both.

Or you might think of a mission in the campaign, if the chosen commander is seen within there, where you felt the commander was thematically awesome. For example, if I were to go with Cairne, I myself would be thinking of the mission where you escort him and a slow moving caravan to the Oracle. Similarly, Riki is thinking of Grom in the mission where you oppose Cenarius. That sort of thing can help you decide on what style you want to build the faction around, while having more of a focus on gameplay and less of a focus on lore friendly units

 

[Daffa]

Ah, Theme friendliness eh. That gives me quite a number of ideas to work on.

 

[Wazzz]

Thought that might help contestants out a bit

Never played WoW myself beyond a brief time I tried it out on a free server. I do find looking up some if the lore, from time to time, is useful as a source of inspiration, but I wouldn't use it as law for what I can and cannot do.

Also, I am tinkering around with my own commander and hopefully should have something fun to show soon. Naturally, this won't be an official entry, but it's just too fun not to make a little something.

 

[FUJI]

Theres a very sexy Jaina Spellpack in the resource section that could be fun to use

Thanks for the compliment

With that being said, I'm always open for suggestions and improvements
to make the spellpack suitable for your wants and needs. (or exclusively)

 

[johnwar]

I'm going to try, sign me up.
My choice is Lady Liadrin and the Blood Elves.

 

[Yours Truly]

I have no idea what this contest theme is. That being said, I'll enjoy seeing you folks get absolutely butchered by the results.

BUT HEY, if someone somehow managed to explain to me what this theme actually is, I might reconsider.

 

[Barorque]

With that being said, I'm always open for suggestions and improvements
to make the spellpack suitable for your wants and needs. (or exclusively)

Oh.. eh.. wai.. wait, are we COMPETING for a Jaina now?
Screw you guys! I'm hiring Jaina's voice actress (looks at cash)... well, maybe not, I'll just get her voice from wowhead then.

 

[Astaroth Zion]

Greetings to all,
I would like to join (most likely with Gelbin Mekkatorque and the Gnomergan Exiles).

However I'm not sure about the WC3 requirements to join. I have WC3 1.27.b and just installed Sharpcraft WEX, however I am unable to open both of the provided maps for this contest.

 

[Xelos]

I'm a little confused, for example someone chooses Arthas (good) so he must created ability witch will exactli fit Arthas person, and his armie can consist with dwarfs, gnomes, blood elfs, hight elfs, or only humans, ?

 

[Cherrymage]

I have 1.31.1, but I cannot open both of the files attached there. Anyways, any way to resolve this? If I can't join this contest, then this will be a pity. I have some ideas, but I can't do anything if I can't even open the files.

EDIT : If I join, I'll be going for Maiev.

 

[johnwar]

Look for the Frozen Throne folder in Maps folder and look for "(6)Duststorm.w3x".

 

[Cherrymage]

Look for the Frozen Throne folder in Maps folder and look for "(6)Duststorm.w3x".

Ah, thanks!

 

[Wazzz]

I'm a little confused, for example someone chooses Arthas (good) so he must created ability witch will exactli fit Arthas person, and his armie can consist with dwarfs, gnomes, blood elfs, hight elfs, or only humans, ?

Something like that. If you choose Arthas, for example, you can do it in whatever style you see fit, so long as it has an Arthas theme. You could do him in the style of before he was possessed by Frostmourne, and from there you can have him follow classic Warcraft humans themes, or you could have him lead a group of young would-be knights and paladins on a quest for glory. You could also do him as Death Knight Arthas, if you so chose to, and have him act as the spearhead to the Scourge. Another possibility would be he could start our as a group of humans, dwarves and elves following his service, and as the techtree develops, he becomes more corrupted, and it impacts upon his followers to some capacity.

I suppose another example would be you could start with Furion, and have him hibernate for a time to become Mal'Furion. The core ideas could be incorporated into the gameplay to both follow the theme, and do something fun, but you're also not locked into being lore friendly/accurate, more so theme friendly

@Directive255 you had difficulty with the map files, too? Damn, sorry about that, I thought I resolved that issue but it might be outside of my capacity to do that after all. I'm glad @johnwar was able to help you out there, though

 

[Shar Dundred]

Oh.. eh.. wai.. wait, are we COMPETING for a Jaina now?

I tell ya, the contest will result in Jaina only entries. XD
That would be hilarious imo.

 

[Wazzz]

I have no idea what this contest theme is. That being said, I'll enjoy seeing you folks get absolutely butchered by the results.

BUT HEY, if someone somehow managed to explain to me what this theme actually is, I might reconsider.

I don't understand the need for such negativity here, especially when a number of options were presented to you other than making passive aggressive snipes in future contests where everybody else seems to be having a good time.

The theme itself is you pick a hero/character from Warcraft lore (can be whatever era you want, can be however minor you want, the universe is pretty expansive), and you try to build a faction around that theme.

I tell ya, the contest will result in Jaina only entries. XD
That would be hilarious imo.

All Jaina build time? Hell yeah