Age of Wonders III coming later this year!

[Nefaro]

"....a unit gets it's action points refilled at the end of its turn...."

I don't like that.

AoW2 also used action points to regulate movement and combat.

Sorry, but I meant that I did not like having the action points refilled at the end of a unit's turn. AoW2 refilled the action points at the beginning of a unit's turn.

I ninja'd you. 

Doubt it makes a difference since you can't use them until next time anyway.  They may have to do it that way if some of the opponent's abilities can do Action Point "damage" and slow you down (and vice versa if you have such).

It will make a difference if the unit is attacked, especially by multiple attackers. Each unit get three movement/attack points. So if an enemy unit moves one square and attacks twice, the defending unit will retaliate twice and have one movement point remaining. If a second attacker advances two squares and attacks the defending unit once, the defender will use its last movement point to retaliate. So at the beginning of its next turn, the defending unit--having already exhausted the movement points it was given at the end of its turn--will be unable to retreat and will have to undergo another round of attacks which could result in its being destroyed.

If I'm reading it right, that method is unacceptable.

I see.

I didn't know that it expends your points when it's not your turn.  I understand the concern.

[FarAway Sooner]

This does make it easier to attack, I guess.  But it really emphasizes the importance of not letting one unit get too far out in front of the others, and of not parking it too close to opposing units who can then move one hex and get 3 attacks next turn.

It does suggest that certain units are much more likely to fill a "shock troop" role where casualties are expected and unit losses are high.  I enjoy games where a lot of the challenge revolves around keeping all your units alive so that they can level up, but I also think that doesn't have to be hardwired into a wargaming experience.

I think looking at that combat mechanic in isolation from others (e.g., how do Attack stats compare to Defense and HP stats?) seems a bit simplistic.  And, if a unit is completely embroiled in hand-to-hand combat with a nearby unit, how feasible would an easy withdrawal really be?

I'm not saying that this mechanic is superior.  I'm just saying that we ought to wait to see how it meshes with the other mechanics in the game (and the AI in particular) before jumping to conclusions about whether it works or not.

[Yskonyn]

It will make a difference if the unit is attacked, especially by multiple attackers. Each unit get three movement/attack points. So if an enemy unit moves one square and attacks twice, the defending unit will retaliate twice and have one movement point remaining. If a second attacker advances two squares and attacks the defending unit once, the defender will use its last movement point to retaliate. So at the beginning of its next turn, the defending unit--having already exhausted the movement points it was given at the end of its turn--will be unable to retreat and will have to undergo another round of attacks which could result in its being destroyed.

If I'm reading it right, that method is unacceptable.

I could have sworn that was exactly how it was done in AoW:SM. I seem to recall if your defending unit retaliated, then it would "use up" potential action points for the subsequent turn. This meant you could effectively "pin down" a unit with an assault (fairly realistic concept in warfare).

If this wasn't AoW:SW, then it was another TBS game that was fairly popular. I know I have seen the idea of burning up APs in defense before.

I am pretty sure you are correct,SoM.

[JasonPratt]

^^ Agreed.

[SgtRock]

A preview;

http://www.spacesector.com/blog/2014/03/age-of-wonders-3-preview/

- Still no mention of crafting or City Building/Improvements?
- Age of Wonders 3 does not use an initiative system for its units. The defender always goes first. - that seems odd?
- No Spell to reveal the map?

After what Russian developers did to Disciples III, I'll  need a lot more than a preview, hopes there's a demo!

[son_of_montfort]

Just to confirm regarding the AP and defense discussion, a friend on another forum posted this when I asked if counter-attacking used up APs for subsequent turns in Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic:

I've actually been re-playing Shadow Magic, so I can answer this.

Yes, if a unit counter-attacks more than their "free" amount, that's subtracted from their actions on their following turn. Every unit gets one free counter, and there's a unit special ability which allows unlimited counters for free. Otherwise, you get a total of four counterattacks, and any past the first reduces what you can do on the next turn. Use all four and you're sitting there like a stone. It's a good way to handle nasty enemy units if you outnumber them and have a couple high-defense units.

[Martok]

Here's a video showing off some gameplay, along with running commentary from the narrator.  The guy is a newcomer to the series, so a lot of what he says is retreading old ground for some of us, but it's perhaps worth noting he's obviously enthralled with the game so far, even in its beta state. 

I try not to be shallow, but I still can't get over AoW3's visuals.  It has to be the most stunning-looking fantasy strategy title I've ever seen. 

[W8taminute]

Thanks for sharing this!  I didn't have the time yet to view the whole video but if I thought I wanted this game before really bad I now claim that if I don't get this game in all of it's awesomeness I WILL DIE!   

CiV set in a fantasy setting with fully customizable faction leaders?  That alone other than the gorgeous eye candy* is enough to sell this game in my opinion.  I really am intrigued by that screen where he has his army arrayed in a beautifully neat and orderly formation as well.  This game looks way more deep than Warlock and Warlock is a rocking good game too.


*I'm with you on this Martok.  Sometimes it's ok to be shallow especially if there is substance to a game like AoW3 appears to have.   ;)

[Yskonyn]

I have always found the AOW games to be absolutely beautiful for their time! This one seems to be just like that.
I can't wait for releaseday!

[undercovergeek]

Have to say I honestly wasn't that bothered about aow3 but the 4 let's plays on YouTube have made me really want the game - it looks great

[Yskonyn]

To wait for a sale or not to wait for a sale...

[Martok]

Gods help me, I just pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition from GOG.  I'd promised myself I'd never pre-order a game again, but my willpower simply fails every time I look at this one. 

[undercovergeek]

Gods help me, I just pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition from GOG.  I'd promised myself I'd never pre-order a game again, but my willpower simply fails every time I look at this one.

im close

[Greybriar]

Gods help me, I just pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition from GOG.  I'd promised myself I'd never pre-order a game again, but my willpower simply fails every time I look at this one.

I will do the same later this week.

[mikeck]

Is there an advantage for pre-ordering? Of not, I will probably grab it from Steam