Melee System and Shadowsoul Added news - Dungeons of Daggerhelm

Hello everyone!

We have been on a role during the past few weeks. Not only is our major content being added for the initial pre-alpha v0.01 demo download, but we are coming up with some new ideas that will spice the Dungeons of Daggerhelm world even more.

Let's talk about the melee system.

Here is a picture of our paladin sprites. He was our first melee class designed.

Before we had him outfitted with a sword and shield, he was just a regular unarmed civilian. But once we gave him something to defend himself, he looked much more suited for combat. Except... he couldn't do anything.

Well, we finally trained him in the art of swordcraft to be able to wield his sword properly and begin slashing and hacking at enemies. We also gave him some extra health and resistances to make sure he survives the fight.

The Battle-Mage was likewise trained, except she deals slow attacks that deal more damage, and she is a little bit less defensive than her counterpart melee class.

Melee combat works in the same way as ranged combat, except you need to bring your character much closer beside your enemies to attack them. Melee combat also increases your risk of being hit by projectiles, which is why melee characters have significantly higher health and resistance to damage (armor rating). While their attack is on the weaker side, their ability to soak up damage makes them effective tanks.

One more issue we are working out is having enemies walk slower than the player to make sure melee character have an easier time catching up with them. Currently, they both are the same speed, which would make for an incredibly annoying game of tag.

Remember this guy? We're making him into a melee enemy. Yup, you heard correctly. With the addition of melee combat, and a simple chaser method, the dark paladins will now begin pursuing you across the map and attacking you if they get too close. This adds a new (and someone annoying) dynamic to the game we have not yet introduced.

One last thing to keep your appetite satiated:

We have added Shadowsouls as well! Firing large dark orbs that could kill, these shadowy wraiths are ready to defeat any trespassers that come across their turf. They are found primarily around portal areas, drawn by the energy needed to sustain portals. They behave sporadically, wandering around players one minute and chasing them the next. You never know what they might do...

That's all for now! We have TWO more things to implement before we can talk about releasing the pre-alpha demo: health potions, and GAME MUSIC! (cue Ryan Camus' entrance!!!!)