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| Thread: Creatures Names |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 · «PREV |
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Cepheus
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Far-flung Keeper
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posted December 07, 2010 12:21 AM |
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One of the problems with Bone Guard is the ambiguity in it regarding status. It's not easy for a newcomer to tell from the name alone whether Skeleton or Bone Guard is the upgrade.
This is a problem with the Lilim too, but isn't really as bad (I think) since Lilim has some significance in myth. Bone Guard means nothing whatsoever.
Know what a Bone Guard is?
Guards your bones. 
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"Those who forget their history are inevitably doomed to repeat it." —Proverb, Might and Magic VIII
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FuntimeManchop
Adventuring Hero
Adventure!
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posted December 07, 2010 12:24 AM |
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Skeletal Spearman/Bone Guard. Whatever. I'm gonna call it what I've always called it; Bonebag.
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Aosaw
Promising
Famous Hero
Author of Nonreal Fiction
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posted December 07, 2010 12:26 AM |
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Edited by Aosaw at 00:27, 07 Dec 2010.
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Skeletal Spearman seems silly, since "skeletal" and "spearman" start simultaneously with an "s"-sounding syllable. 
Bone Guard isn't quite right either, but it's a lot better than something you'd be likely to see in a Dr. Seuss book. Also, they're not "skeletal", they're skeletons. If something is skeletal, it has a similar look to a skeleton, but isn't one. These units are bones and armor and nothing else inside; there's no reason to adjectivize the name.
But you're right; Skeleton upgrades have traditionally had the word "skeleton" in the name. But Spearman doesn't sound right. So what are some synonyms that don't start with S?
Skeleton Skirmisher starts with S, and in fact it starts with SK, but it would probably be a more accurate name for the unit.
The trouble with Spearman is that the word "Spearman" does nothing to describe how the new unit is different from its base. A Skeleton is still a spear-throwing skeleton, and calling him a Spearman when you upgrade him doesn't convey any new information.
Skeleton Skirmisher still sounds kind of silly, but at least it's a better name for the creature's upgrade.
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SwampLord
Supreme Hero
Lord of the Swamp
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posted December 07, 2010 12:28 AM |
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Skirmisher doesn't fit the rank-and-file nature of Skeletons either, though. They aren't used to skirmish with enemy armies; they are the bulk of Necromancer forces.
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Jabanoss
Promising
Legendary Hero
Property of Nightterror™
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posted December 07, 2010 12:32 AM |
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Javelinmen, now there you have it 
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"You turn me on Jaba"
- Meroe
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Azagal
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Smooth Snake
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posted December 07, 2010 12:39 AM |
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You're the man Ceph... then again you've always been so no big news.
Still while you may be right that the name "Lilim" doesn't really make it too clear that it's an upgrade it doesn't matter the name is simply toooo sweet. The lore makes them the best succubi contenders there are. The snow children of eve and an Archangel? Ooooh the heresy is so delicious it truely is... Temptress wasn't bad at all but Lilim is a lot hotter than Temptress!
I also enjoyed the Ravenger and Excruciator changes (still think Dreadnaught would have been THEAWESOME but yeah still good).
...I'm scared to ask but why don't I see "Mother Breeder" in the change list? If they'd change that I'd debase myself for ubi. Anything but "Mother Breeder".
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"All I can see is what's in front of me. And all I can do is keep moving forward" - The Heir Wielder of Names, Seeker of Thrones, King of Swords, Breaker of Infinities, Wheel Smashing Lord
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blighboy
Hired Hero
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posted December 07, 2010 12:40 AM |
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But again, aren't the unupgraded skeletons also javelinmen? I can't really think of anything that isn't just an extra word, like "elite skeleton/javelineer/skirmisher" or something like that.
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veco
Legendary Hero
who am I?
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posted December 07, 2010 12:42 AM |
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Javelinmen sounds like a western cartoon from the 90's
how about Javelin Tosser?
I love it!
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none of my business.
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Jabanoss
Promising
Legendary Hero
Property of Nightterror™
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posted December 07, 2010 12:44 AM |
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Edited by Jabanoss at 00:46, 07 Dec 2010.
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Skeleton Spearman => Skeleton Javelineer
maybe....
Quote:
how about Javelin Tosser?
better then sisters at least XD
____________
"You turn me on Jaba"
- Meroe
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Azagal
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Smooth Snake
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posted December 07, 2010 12:46 AM |
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I think Skeletonthrowingwoodstaffswithspikypossiblyhazardousmetaltippings would make a great name. Gives you a perfect idea of what the creature is doing.
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"All I can see is what's in front of me. And all I can do is keep moving forward" - The Heir Wielder of Names, Seeker of Thrones, King of Swords, Breaker of Infinities, Wheel Smashing Lord
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Aosaw
Promising
Famous Hero
Author of Nonreal Fiction
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posted December 07, 2010 01:01 AM |
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Well, there I take issue with the concept altogether. Because an army could never sustain itself if five-hundred of its units require multiple four-foot throwing spears in order to function. I know that realism isn't necessarily what they're going for, but if we're saying that the skeleton can't be a skirmisher because there's so many of them, then we need to examine what exactly the spear-throwing skeleton is doing there in the first place.
Spear-throwers are, generally speaking, skirmishers. They move quickly so that they can throw their spear and then retreat into hiding. They function best in short-range, short-duration combat.
Granted, these Skeletons are part of an army that does better when the fight goes on for a long time. But I still think that Skirmisher is a better fit for the upgraded skeleton than Spearman.
...Partially because every time I type it, I want to type "Spearmint" instead...
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SwampLord
Supreme Hero
Lord of the Swamp
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posted December 07, 2010 03:17 AM |
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Quote:
Well, there I take issue with the concept altogether. Because an army could never sustain itself if five-hundred of its units require multiple four-foot throwing spears in order to function. I know that realism isn't necessarily what they're going for, but if we're saying that the skeleton can't be a skirmisher because there's so many of them, then we need to examine what exactly the spear-throwing skeleton is doing there in the first place.
Spear-throwers are, generally speaking, skirmishers. They move quickly so that they can throw their spear and then retreat into hiding. They function best in short-range, short-duration combat.
Granted, these Skeletons are part of an army that does better when the fight goes on for a long time. But I still think that Skirmisher is a better fit for the upgraded skeleton than Spearman.
...Partially because every time I type it, I want to type "Spearmint" instead...
Check out the big wallpaper-sized pic that got released a while back. The Skeletons aren't throwing spears, they're engaging in melee combat with them.
So regardless of whether they hurl spears ingame, they still engage hand-to-hand en masse in the lore.
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Zenofex
Responsible
Legendary Hero
Kreegan-atheist
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posted December 07, 2010 09:00 AM |
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Quote:
@Zenofex:
The Skeleton has always upgraded to something with Skeleton in the name in the past: Skeleton Archer, Skeleton Warrior, Skeleton Warrior (again ). It's not exactly like calling it "Skeleton ________" is a new trend for Heroes.
Yes, but at least it used to make some sense. Skeleton to Skeleton Warrior or Skeleton Archer is like Human to Human Warrior or Human Archer. The upgraded versions indicate the "profession", even if they are not incredibly imaginative. And there was some change in the stats/abilities/appearance to make these changes sensible. Skeleton to Skeleton Spearman is no change simply because the basic Skeleton has exactly the same spears (and they are actually javelins) as the upgraded "Spearman". The upgraded model just receives some more armor and green - does this make it a "spearman"?
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Danny
Famous Hero
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posted December 07, 2010 09:17 AM |
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I would seriously prefer Nun instead of Sister 
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Sister was justifiably "necessary" for two reasons, though I can't tell you why yet; sorry.
religious reasons or another unit with similar name, like a elvish nature pristess perhaps?
I'm sure one of the reasons is Priestess being a hero class, but interesting to know there will be another unit similar to it, I guess it'll be something like Shadow Priestess or the name of the entity it worships.
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Properkheldar
Famous Hero
Keeper of books
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posted December 07, 2010 09:44 AM |
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Quote:
Quote:
I would seriously prefer Nun instead of Sister
Quote:
Sister was justifiably "necessary" for two reasons, though I can't tell you why yet; sorry.
religious reasons or another unit with similar name, like a elvish nature pristess perhaps?
I'm sure one of the reasons is Priestess being a hero class, but interesting to know there will be another unit similar to it, I guess it'll be something like Shadow Priestess or the name of the entity it worships.
If the new faction indeed is a swampbased sanctuary of sorts its possible that the priestess now is residing in their creature lineup. They might have tied in the old sorceress-faction and made it matriarchal with spiritual high priestesses as leaders, and therefore also a hero class. Thats two reasons right?
Personally i fell the word priestess more connected with tribal or "older" religions like the roman and greek mythologies. Sister might sound strange on its on, but the full name is actually "The Sisters of Elrath"...and that (to me) don´t sound to strange. It´s a religious sisterhood.
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Danny
Famous Hero
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posted December 07, 2010 10:07 AM |
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Quote:
If the new faction indeed is a swampbased sanctuary of sorts its possible that the priestess now is residing in their creature lineup. They might have tied in the old sorceress-faction and made it matriarchal with spiritual high priestesses as leaders, and therefore also a hero class. Thats two reasons right?
Personally i fell the word priestess more connected with tribal or "older" religions like the roman and greek mythologies. Sister might sound strange on its on, but the full name is actually "The Sisters of Elrath"...and that (to me) don´t sound to strange. It´s a religious sisterhood.
Dungeon is matriarchal already, they can easily switch the Shadow Witch with the Priestess. I'd imagine the Naga would be matriarchal too, but as others said, it could be a "female druid" for the Elves, or even a new Orc Shaman? Academy is the only one I don't think it would fit. And yes you're right, Sister fits better the "organized religion" aspect of Haven, while priestess is more pagan.
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Paiazza
Known Hero
لىخ ضل
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posted December 07, 2010 01:16 PM |
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Edited by Paiazza at 13:17, 07 Dec 2010.
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Cepheus
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Far-flung Keeper
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posted December 07, 2010 10:42 PM |
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I appreciate and approve of the petition guys, but I doubt it will be of use (besides showing you're passionate about quality of course). The process would have been longer if it were my decision, but preliminary localisation started and it was lucky we succeeded in improving the names we did - or turning them into "an even bigger crap" - whatever your preference
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"Those who forget their history are inevitably doomed to repeat it." —Proverb, Might and Magic VIII
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