Heroes of Might and Magic Community
visiting hero! Register | Today's Posts | Games | Search! | FAQ/Rules | AvatarList | MemberList | Profile


Age of Heroes Headlines:  
5 Oct 2016: Heroes VII development comes to an end.. - read more
6 Aug 2016: Troubled Heroes VII Expansion Release - read more
26 Apr 2016: Heroes VII XPack - Trial by Fire - Coming out in June! - read more
17 Apr 2016: Global Alternative Creatures MOD for H7 after 1.8 Patch! - read more
7 Mar 2016: Romero launches a Piano Sonata Album Kickstarter! - read more
19 Feb 2016: Heroes 5.5 RC6, Heroes VII patch 1.7 are out! - read more
13 Jan 2016: Horn of the Abyss 1.4 Available for Download! - read more
17 Dec 2015: Heroes 5.5 update, 1.6 out for H7 - read more
23 Nov 2015: H7 1.4 & 1.5 patches Released - read more
31 Oct 2015: First H7 patches are out, End of DoC development - read more
5 Oct 2016: Heroes VII development comes to an end.. - read more
[X] Remove Ads
LOGIN:     Username:     Password:         [ Register ]
HOMM1: info forum | HOMM2: info forum | HOMM3: info mods forum | HOMM4: info CTG forum | HOMM5: info mods forum | MMH6: wiki forum | MMH7: wiki forum
Heroes Community > Heroes 7+ Altar of Wishes > Thread: Beastman faction
Thread: Beastman faction This thread is 2 pages long: 1 2 · NEXT»
Mediczero
Mediczero


Famous Hero
Warlord of the sea
posted November 15, 2016 05:13 PM bonus applied.
Edited by Mediczero at 13:25, 27 Nov 2016.

Beastman faction

An idea that have been floating around in my mind for quite some time is the concept of a beastman faction. Though similar to the classical barbarian faction and to some degree or the old swamp fortress faction, I believe a faction centered around wild mamalian and avian beast could be a worthy addition to the faction rooster.

Town theme: Big sky
Native terrain: Steppes. (similar to the dirt terrain of heroes V)
Core races: Satyrs, Centaurs, Harpies
Hero class: Chieftain (might)

Lore:
The origin of the beastmen is lost, even to themselves. Some believe they where creation of an ancient empire, meant to be workers and slaves. Other think they where once human, but was changed by wild storms of magic in ancient times. The beastmen themselves care little of this. All they know they wander the wild steppes they call home and have always done so. Always will.
However, when met with a treat to this freedom, they will meet it with jagged teeth and sharpen horns. One thing is certain, the beastmen will never surrender their freedom.

Faction skill: Totemcraft
Totems are carved wooden pillers imbued with magical powers, showcasing the beastmen gods and legends in their designs. The beastmen deploys these sacred totems on the battlefield to win the favor of their beastial gods and to impower their own troops.
Totems can be deployed on the battlefield by your hero and gives a buff/debuff to the units in it's area of effect, however they cost resources to deploy. However, the enemy can attack and destroy your totems.
Basic totems
- Totem of life:
Heals ally units when they start their turn within it's area.
- Totem of might:
Boost the attack of units starting by the totem for 1 turn.

Advanced totems:
- Totem of Rage
Boosts attack and speed of nearby units, but lowers their defense.
- Totem of dread
Lowers the morale and luck of all enemy troops within the totem's area.

Expert totems:
- Totem of storms
Boosts the attack, speed, and innitiative of all units within the totems area, and allows them to do additional lightning damage when attacking.
- Totem of doom
Deals damage to all units standing by the totem at the start of their turn, including allies.

Units

Satyr/Satyr Skirmisher
Satyr are probably the most common variation of the beastmen. The half men half goats are not only found in the beastmen steppes, but also in smaller tribes all around the world. Male satyrs are notorious for being perverts and drunks, and will grap any chance they get for a drink or a trip in the sheets with a young woman.

(u) On the battlefield, Satyrs makes the core of the beastmen armies.  However they are mostly asigned to the role of archers due to only few other creatures among the beastmen is capable of using a bow and arrow. Here they let loose a rain of arrrows to quickly take down many opponants.

Abilities:
Shooter: Unit can attack at range.
Rain of arrows: Active combat ability. Allows the unit to attack all targets in a 3X3 area, but divides the damage between those targets.
(u) No melee penalty: Unit suffers no penalty for melee combat.


Harpy/Fury
Harpies are half bird half women, nesting in and around the beastmen encampments. They are swift and agile creatures, capable of attack and retreating in a mere instant. There have been no reported cases of male harpies, leading some to believe that they are in fact all female.

(u) Furies are harpies trained in the art of arial combat. These fastmoving creatures strike hastely from above before quickly retreating from melee before the enemy even have a chance to react. This makes them a deadly adversary for almost all opponants.

Abilities:
Flier: Unit can fly over obstacles, castle walls, and other units.
Strike and return: After the innitial attack, the unit will return to it's starting position.
(U) No retaliation: Unit suffer no retaliation upon attack.


Boar
Boars are not an uncommon sight around the world, but nothing compares to the brutal boars of the great steppes. A horrid mess of horns and tusks, these boars are highly aggressive and territorial, and even the beastmen struggles with taming these untirable beasts. However once they do, they make for efficient mounts and warbeasts.

Abilities:
Bash: Gives a chance to bash the enemy, making the loose their retaliation and some initiative.
Unlimited retaliation: unit can retaliate to attacks an unlimited number of times.


Centaur/Centaur marauder
Centaur are easily reconised, having the upper body of a man with the body of a horse in place of legs. Together with the satyrs they make up the majority of the beastmen. Like the satyrs, they are herbivores, but they also shares the same taste for fine and strong alcohol, in paticulary wine, whenever they can get their hands on it. The female centaurs, though more peaceful than the males, are still as strong is battle. They are also noted to be very well equipped in order to feed the large centaur babies.

(u) Centaur marauders are a cast of centaurs that have choosen the path of war. Armed with heavy spears and light armor, they charge relentlessly into the enemy lines to run down them over. They are even noted to get themselves drunk before battle, making them unpredictable in combat.

Abilities:
Charge: unit's attack increases the longer it had to travel to reach it's opponant.
Enrage: Boosts attack when an allied stack dies.
(u) Druken craze: Gives the unit a chance to deal an additional attack, but also a chance to fail their innitial attack.


Auroch
Aurochs are a fairly common sight on the great steppes. These peaceful herbivores rarely posses much of a threat, but if provoked they can easily charge down and trample any foe. The beastmen often uses them as cattle, beasts of burden, or heavy cavalry in times of war.

Abilities:
Charge: unit's attack increases the longer it had to travel to reach it's opponant.
Horn attack: May lower the enemy's defense when attacking.


Chimera
Much like the beastmen, no one knows for sure where the chimera came from. Old legends states that the first chimera was the child of a horrible goddess with the tail of a snake in the place of legs, though some theorize that it might have been a magical experient gone wrong. One thing is for sure, only the beastmen seem to be able to control this horrible, firebreathing cross between a lion, a goat, and a snake.

Abilities
Fire breath: The unit has a chance to use a firebreath attack, dealing fire damage to it's innitial target and any unit behind it.


Thunderbird
Held in a nearly godlike regard by the beastmen, the magical thunderbirds are undoubtly the greatest predator of the great steppes. Capable of literally calling down lightning from a clear sky and blowing up storms with it's wingbeat, in addition to its massive size, the thunderbird rules the sky and steppe with an iron fist. Only a fool would challenge such a powerful and deadly creature.

Abilities:
Flyer: Unit can fly over obstacles, castle walls, and other units.
Lightningstrike: Gives a chance to cast thunderbolt on the enemy when attacking.
Thunderstorm: Once per battle, the creature can deploy a thunderstorm in an area, dealing lightning damage to all creatures in that area.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
kiryu133
kiryu133


Responsible
Legendary Hero
Highly illogical
posted November 15, 2016 06:43 PM

I really like this, like, a lot. The Warhammer inspirations are clear as day but it's very much it's own thing and you've managed to make them feel complete and part of the same group. I'm quite impressed! I have two critiques however.

The Boar and Auroch are conceptually very similar and seem to inhabit the same role. I would propose changing one of them. Secondly, the Chimera seems somewhat random here and I can't help but feel there are better fitting creatures not to mention it's ability is underwhelming. You can do a whole lot better than a "fire-breath". I can also see how it does fit in, being a mix of different creatures but the lore description don't fit the rest of the presentation.

Might I recommend changing the faction ability slightly to at least have reduced effect on enemy creatures? it's cool that they affect both friend and foe but at the same rate could make the thing very disadvantageous and that's not a good thing me thinks.

Quote:
They are also noted to be very well equipped in order to feed the large centaur babies.


Really? Was this necessary information? It really just makes me curious about the size of the schlongs, you know.

all in all, I really like it. Simple abilities with a lot of potential uses, thematic cohesion and mostly good choices. Not to mention it seems finished which is a nice change of pace...
____________
It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that the cis are at it again.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Mediczero
Mediczero


Famous Hero
Warlord of the sea
posted November 15, 2016 07:59 PM

Hmm, I shall try and see about those, though I'm keeping the chimera, I do like it here and think it fits well. Giving it a second ability though and maybe an inproved lore.
Also, if you have any suggestions for alternative unit/abilities, I would love to hear them.

As for the totem thing , I'm not sure if it's needed. Only the totem of doom affects both, and it is meant to be a duel edge sword.

As for the final bit, lets just say it's an odd reference Im pretty sure no one will get. And it is entertaining.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
MattII
MattII


Legendary Hero
posted November 15, 2016 08:53 PM

A pretty good faction overall, but...
Satyr/Satyr Bowman - this name makes little sense, the base unit has a bow as well. Perhaps swap the abilities (make 'rain of arrows' the base ability and 'no melee penalty' the upgrade one), and change the upgrade name to Satyr Ranger.

Boar - the lineup lacks any creature with really tanky abilities, so maybe this is the place for them. Drop 'unfettered', and replace it with 'infinite retaliation'. Oh, and maybe swap it with the Centaur.

Centaur/Centaur Marauder - feels slightly too high to me, so swap it with the boar. Also, is the bow in the picture going to be used.

Chimera - Doesn't quite fit IMO, maybe could be replace with Lamasu?

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Mediczero
Mediczero


Famous Hero
Warlord of the sea
posted November 15, 2016 09:07 PM

MattII said:
A pretty good faction overall, but...
Satyr/Satyr Bowman - this name makes little sense, the base unit has a bow as well. Perhaps swap the abilities (make 'rain of arrows' the base ability and 'no melee penalty' the upgrade one), and change the upgrade name to Satyr Ranger.

Boar - the lineup lacks any creature with really tanky abilities, so maybe this is the place for them. Drop 'unfettered', and replace it with 'infinite retaliation'. Oh, and maybe swap it with the Centaur.

Centaur/Centaur Marauder - feels slightly too high to me, so swap it with the boar. Also, is the bow in the picture going to be used.

Chimera - Doesn't quite fit IMO, maybe could be replace with Lamasu?

Hmm, good point about the satyr, I'll follow it. Maybe a different name than ranger.

The problem I found with centaur in many of the past heroes games (I-V) is that the centaur was too low tier. I mean, it's a man with the behind of a horse, it must could do better than tier 1. I like it in tier 4, and this is to stronger male variant so it shouldn't be less that the boar.
Talking about the boar, I did actually think of giving it unlimited retaliation, or maybe some sort of tough hide ability. Might change that.

The chimera stays for now, unless you can come up with something better than a lamasu (how the **** that fits more is beyond me)

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
PandaTar
PandaTar


Responsible
Legendary Hero
Celestial Heavens Mascot
posted November 15, 2016 09:50 PM

kiryu133 said:

The Boar and Auroch are conceptually very similar and seem to inhabit the same role. I would propose changing one of them. Secondly, the Chimera seems somewhat random here and I can't help but feel there are better fitting creatures not to mention it's ability is underwhelming. You can do a whole lot better than a "fire-breath". I can also see how it does fit in, being a mix of different creatures but the lore description don't fit the rest of the presentation.




Firstly, good line up, in my point of view. The overall feeling it gives is rather nice and it feels balanced.

Secondly, I concur with Kiryu's words. I would make Auroch having bash ability too and change the boars to something else. Probably would also not give charge to Centaurs, to allow only Aurochs having it. And give Chimera another touch.

All in all, the combined units have an elegance about them. Keep it up.
____________
"Okay. Look. We both said a lot of things that you're going to regret. But I think we can put our differences behind us. For science. You monster."
GlaDOS – Portal 2

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
MattII
MattII


Legendary Hero
posted November 15, 2016 11:49 PM

Mediczero said:
Hmm, good point about the satyr, I'll follow it. Maybe a different name than ranger.
I'm not tied to the name, it's just a sort of go-to name for me when I describe a unit like that.

Quote:
The problem I found with centaur in many of the past heroes games (I-V) is that the centaur was too low tier. I mean, it's a man with the behind of a horse, it must could do better than tier 1. I like it in tier 4, and this is to stronger male variant so it shouldn't be less that the boar.
Fair enough.

Quote:
The chimera stays for now, unless you can come up with something better than a lamasu (how the **** that fits more is beyond me)
I chose the Lamasu because I felt that the Chimera was a bit typhonic for a faction that seems to have an otherwise fairly neutral (on the good-vs-evil scale) feel to it.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Mediczero
Mediczero


Famous Hero
Warlord of the sea
posted November 16, 2016 07:16 AM
Edited by Mediczero at 07:18, 16 Nov 2016.

MattII said:
I chose the Lamasu because I felt that the Chimera was a bit typhonic for a faction that seems to have an otherwise fairly neutral (on the good-vs-evil scale) feel to it.

I can see where you where coming from, yet it is still not entirely fitting. The chimera was meant to be this savage apex predator, and you would have to suggest something fitting that role as it's replacement.
Though are right about the good-vs-evil thing, they are meant to be neutral in that regard.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Minastir
Minastir


Promising
Famous Hero
posted November 16, 2016 01:30 PM

I like this faction, all the creatures fit quiet nicely altogether, making Satyrs, Centaurs, Harpies the core races of this faction was a smart move, they are all different enough from each other but still they are similar.

The only thing I don't like (just like my predecessors) is having both Boar and Auroch in the same line-up, they are both quiet similar in terms of visuals and play style (oh by the way, onlt beastMan only have upgrades ? because only Satyr, Harpy and Centaur have upgrades the rest of them doesn't). Out of these two I like Auroch better so I would remove the boar and add something else, if you want smth in place of boar at tier 3 then maybe Digmaul ? If some higher tier then maybe an Oliphant ?

Overall your factions are getting better

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
kiryu133
kiryu133


Responsible
Legendary Hero
Highly illogical
posted November 16, 2016 06:37 PM

for some ideas, maybe change the Chimera lore to have it have some sort of natural bond with the beastmen instead of it being "controllable" only by them. the wording makes it seem like they subjugate it in a way that seems off compared to their presentation.

some abilities would be poison or, stealing from my version:

  -Bash: The goat head pushes the enemy unit one hex forward and follows. Still suffers retaliation. Any unit larger than "large" in unaffected by this.
  -Poison: The snake head target is poisoned for 3 turns.
  -Rend: The lion head ignores 20% of target armor.
  -No bonus effect.

Breathing fire isn't exactly a goat, lion OR snake thing.

Alternatively, manticore (with a mans face) is a pretty obvious replacement if you decide to go that route however I prefer the Chimera. done right it could really fit in.

Wording for totems makes it seems advanced totems and up are all usable by both sides, which I think would be very cool with some reduced effect for enemy units.
____________
It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that the cis are at it again.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
MattII
MattII


Legendary Hero
posted November 16, 2016 09:42 PM

Minastir said:
The only thing I don't like (just like my predecessors) is having both Boar and Auroch in the same line-up, they are both quiet similar in terms of visuals and play style (oh by the way, onlt beastMan only have upgrades ? because only Satyr, Harpy and Centaur have upgrades the rest of them doesn't).
Not necessarily, you could easily play the Boar as medium-slow tank and the Aurochs as a medium-fast charger.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Mediczero
Mediczero


Famous Hero
Warlord of the sea
posted November 16, 2016 10:07 PM

Actually, in mythology the chimera was said to be able to breathe fire, which I decided would be a nice ability as a nod to the source material.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
ANcientDRuids
ANcientDRuids


Famous Hero
(Andruids for short)
posted November 24, 2016 12:25 AM
Edited by ANcientDRuids at 00:35, 24 Nov 2016.

Beastman faction is a great idea. In my "next possible iteration of heroes game" I imagined it as one of the 5 factions, along Humans, Wood-dwellers (Elves and magic creatures), Undead and Summons (Academy's Genies and Phoenixes, but also demons).

I love everything about totems.

However, placing Thunderbirds, boars and aurochs in the line-up is, in my opinion, a huge waste. Why use beasts in a beastmen faction? Leave them to be pets or workforce and let the real warriors wage wars. Bulky Bearmen, Minotaurs and Wolfmen, swift Dearmen, Jackalmen and Tigermen or venomous Lizardmen, Antmen and Scorpiomen. I'd also move Chimera to be the champion. Then again, it could be more humanoid. Breath of Fire 3 design would make a beautiful inspiration.

In my vision, beastmen are savage natives. They are innately powerful, but constantly fight for territory with other 'clans' (species). That's why they're being constantly pushed back by other factions. It would take a smart and powerful leader for them to unite.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Mediczero
Mediczero


Famous Hero
Warlord of the sea
posted November 24, 2016 07:13 AM

ANcientDRuids said:
Beastman faction is a great idea. In my "next possible iteration of heroes game" I imagined it as one of the 5 factions, along Humans, Wood-dwellers (Elves and magic creatures), Undead and Summons (Academy's Genies and Phoenixes, but also demons).

I love everything about totems.

However, placing Thunderbirds, boars and aurochs in the line-up is, in my opinion, a huge waste. Why use beasts in a beastmen faction? Leave them to be pets or workforce and let the real warriors wage wars. Bulky Bearmen, Minotaurs and Wolfmen, swift Dearmen, Jackalmen and Tigermen or venomous Lizardmen, Antmen and Scorpiomen. I'd also move Chimera to be the champion. Then again, it could be more humanoid. Breath of Fire 3 design would make a beautiful inspiration.

In my vision, beastmen are savage natives. They are innately powerful, but constantly fight for territory with other 'clans' (species). That's why they're being constantly pushed back by other factions. It would take a smart and powerful leader for them to unite.

Thank you, but that was not not my vision for this faction. See despite the name (which is really only a filler name in lack of better) Rather, it would be more accurate to call it a counterpart the heroes III's fortress (mainly centered around a large number of reptilian beasts), but with mammals and birds instead. Filling it up with too many beastmen could give something even more awkward than heroes V's fortress (too many dwarfs). And the chimera you proposed look a little too much like something out of final fantasy
I could however, consider to replace the boar with another type of beastman.

The part I do agree with however, is the last bit
Quote:
In my vision, beastmen are savage natives. They are innately powerful, but constantly fight for territory with other 'clans' (species). That's why they're being constantly pushed back by other factions. It would take a smart and powerful leader for them to unite.

This is just what I imagined when I thought them up. Various tribes, often of different species, fighting among eachother until a single powerful chieftain unites them to face a shared threat.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
ANcientDRuids
ANcientDRuids


Famous Hero
(Andruids for short)
posted November 24, 2016 10:30 PM

Mediczero said:
Various tribes, often of different species, fighting among eachother until a single powerful chieftain unites them to face a shared threat.


I know. That's also what makes them great antagonists or just enemies, instead of Orcs and Demons, which are so, so overused in Fantasy.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Mediczero
Mediczero


Famous Hero
Warlord of the sea
posted November 25, 2016 06:55 AM

ANcientDRuids said:
I know. That's also what makes them great antagonists or just enemies, instead of Orcs and Demons, which are so, so overused in Fantasy.

An exellent alternative so to say, though I prefer them to be more neutral.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
moonshade
moonshade


Known Hero
posted November 25, 2016 04:30 PM
Edited by moonshade at 21:06, 27 Nov 2016.

My idea of a Beastman faction

That's how I would do it:

Satyr
Harpy
Dire Boar

Centaur
Werewolf
Peryton

Roc
Behemoth

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Mediczero
Mediczero


Famous Hero
Warlord of the sea
posted November 25, 2016 05:04 PM

moonshade said:
That's how I would do it:

Satyr
Harpy
Gnoll

Centaur
Minotaur
Dire Boar

Wendigo

Well it isn't bad, though I left out the minotaur simply because it is too iconic to the warlock faction, and the gnoll because it didn't fit the whole temperate environment of the faction.
I did consider the Wendigo, and looking back at it I might replace the chimera with it.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Cortes
Cortes


Adventuring Hero
posted November 27, 2016 09:49 AM

Looking good, I like it, especially the boar.

And I aggree such a faction could be a worthy addition to the faction rooster.




 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Rakshasa92
Rakshasa92


Supreme Hero
posted November 27, 2016 02:57 PM

Why would anyone want to replace the Chimera? The best chosen monster in this faction? Wendigo is a nice monster, but you have enough humanoids.

I really hate factions with mostly humanoids.

 Send Instant Message | Send E-Mail | View Profile | Quote Reply | Link
Jump To: « Prev Thread . . . Next Thread » This thread is 2 pages long: 1 2 · NEXT»
Post New Poll    Post New Topic    Post New Reply

Page compiled in 0.0825 seconds