Combat System
Understanding how combat works in Guilds of Valor
Overview
The combat system in Guilds of Valor simulates turn-based combat between characters and NPCs. Combat results are displayed in the text box as a blow-by-blow account until one participant reaches 0 HP.
Key features of the combat system:
- Turn-based combat with alternating attacks
- Character stats influence combat outcomes
- Equipment bonuses affect combat performance
- Detailed combat text provides a narrative experience
- Health points are reduced during combat and regenerate over time
Stat Influences
Character stats play a crucial role in determining combat outcomes. Each stat influences different aspects of combat:
Strength
Primary influence: Damage
Strength determines the base damage a character can inflict with physical attacks. Higher strength means more damage per hit, which is then mitigated by the opponent's constitution.
Dexterity
Primary influence: Dodge/Parry
Dexterity affects a character's ability to dodge or parry incoming attacks. Higher dexterity increases the chance to avoid damage completely.
Intelligence
Primary influence: Critical Hits
Intelligence influences a character's ability to find weaknesses and land critical hits. Higher intelligence increases the chance of dealing critical damage through clever technique.
Constitution
Primary influence: Health & Defense
Constitution directly determines a character's health points (1:1 ratio) and provides natural damage reduction against physical attacks.
Combat Mechanics
Combat in Guilds of Valor follows these steps:
- Initiative Determination
Combat begins with an initiative check based on dexterity to determine who attacks first.
- Attack Phase
The attacker makes an attack roll, which is compared against the defender's dodge/parry chance.
- Damage Calculation
If the attack hits, damage is calculated based on the attacker's strength and any weapon bonuses, minus the defender's constitution-based damage reduction.
- Critical Hit Check
A check is made based on the attacker's intelligence to determine if the attack is a critical hit, which multiplies the damage.
- Health Reduction
The defender's health is reduced by the calculated damage.
- Turn Alternation
The defender becomes the attacker for the next turn, and steps 2-5 repeat.
- Combat Resolution
Combat continues until one participant reaches 0 HP or below, at which point they are defeated.
Health System
Character health is a vital component of the combat system. Health points (HP) represent a character's ability to withstand damage before being defeated.
Key aspects of the health system:
- Health Calculation: Base health = Character's constitution (1:1 ratio)
- Equipment Bonuses: Equipment that provides constitution bonuses also increases health
- Health Display: Health is displayed next to the character name in the UI
- Health Reduction: Health is reduced during combat as damage is taken
- Health Regeneration: Health regenerates at a deliberately slow pace, encouraging the use of healing items and strategic planning
Combat Text
Combat in Guilds of Valor is narrated through text displayed in the Text Box. This provides a blow-by-blow account of the battle, creating an immersive experience.
Features of combat text:
- Combat text appears one line at a time with a slight delay between lines
- Text describes attacks, dodges, parries, and damage in a narrative style
- Critical hits and special moves get more dramatic descriptions
- Health loss is applied gradually as combat text unfolds
- The final text announces the victor and any rewards gained
Example combat text:
Thorne lunges forward with his sword, striking the goblin for 8 damage!
The goblin swings its crude club, but Thorne parries the attack!
Thorne finds an opening and delivers a critical strike for 15 damage!
The goblin falls to the ground, defeated. Thorne gains 25 experience and 5 gold.
Rewards
Defeating enemies in combat provides various rewards:
- Experience Points: Gained after each victory, used for character leveling
- Gold: Currency that can be used to purchase items and services
- Items: Enemies may drop equipment, consumables, or crafting materials
- Quest Progress: Combat may advance quest objectives
Reward amounts are based on the difficulty of the enemy and any active bonuses from guild perks or special events.