SE units-unit traits

[nikivdd]

I have some personal requests for Panzer Corps 2 not only from a modding point of view, but also as being a potential campaign creator.

- Each Wehrmacht unit should have a SE counterpart, thus not only restricted to tanks or infantry. Having this SE database expanded, leads to the next request.
- Add a "unhistorical" flag/nation (to avoid problems in certain countries) which have all the SE units. The use of this flag/nation allows SE units to be purchaseable This opportunity opens the road to create pure "SE" campaigns.
- Add a feature which allows for a prototype award, for example a unit that will only become available within 6 months/a year. In the scenario designer, besides number of SE units, also number of prototypes could become definable.
- Add more traits for units, unlockable when a unit reaches a certain number of kills and/or gained a certain amount of experience. This trait could be random but interesting to the unit in question (so no spotting for artillery for example).
Under new traits, i would gladly see the PG2 all weather trait for fighters and bombers, bridge engineer trait, extra ammo, spending less fuel in movement, initiative, close defense, tank killer,...
- Able to define for AI player (in scenario editor) which priority to give in the purchase of what kind of units, including air planes.
- Able to switch on/off purchase of naval units (in scenario editor)

Ideas from others are welcome of course

[Mark50]

- Able to define for AI player (in scenario editor) which priority to give in the purchase of what kind of units, including air planes.

In addition to establishing purchase behavior I would actually like to be able to define exactly what units and numbers can be recruited in a scenario for each factions (only if desired; otherwise, the field could be left blank and everything is available). For example defining a recruitment pool:
1x150mm Z artillery
5x Z Infantry
etc.
This would help situations where a scenario covers an entire nation or scenarios where certain equipment types should just not be available because they are in small quantities and are already involved somewhere else.

[asuser]

As a unit icon modder I have despite the pre-critisism to the eventual 3 D eyeycandy the wish for a better identification of SE units. This could be basic camo patterns, special markings or kill marks. Probably with a new 3 D technology it is more difficult to design such SE units by myself.

[Rudankort]

Thanks for suggestions guys, keep them coming.

Some comments.

- I'll definitely need to make purchase behavior more configurable. Still thinking what options exactly would be useful, we may want to discuss it in a separate topic.

- Unlockable unit traits when reaching a certain kills threshold sound very similar to heroes. Do we need any new mechanics here?

- Regarding SE units, it sounds like we are talking more about looks here than about their special properties. Main properties of SE units in Panzer Corps are that they a) appear randomly, b) do not take up a core slot. With such rules, it sounds like full-blown campaign based on SE units does not make sense. But if we only stick to their special appearance then yes, this is possible. As I said elsewhere, Panzer Corps 2 should provide much better options to apply various "skins" to units, which includes camo patterns and insignia.

[KeldorKatarn]

Skinning sounds cool yes. If you try to simulate a panzer corps with let's say 2-3 divisions one could fit each division's forces with their own skin for easy distinction. Howver there should also be always some kind of base skin that shines through somehow, like the regular color scheme. Just to make sure the units don't become hard to spot or it's easy to miss an enemy unit because the skin looks too similar. A proper middle ground needs to be found. I didn't like a lot of the mods for PzC 1 with unit graphics exactly for that reason, it was no longer easy to spot one's own units on the map. Ergonomics are certainly also an issue there, so I'd suggest making skins optional or supply a way to hide the skins with a keyboard shortcut. As a person with eye troubles now I can definitely say that too crazy skins make the game at times unplayable because it hurts the eyes having to search concentrated for the units instead of being able to easily spot them.

[Rudankort]

We will have to check how well the units "stand out" from the map when using various skins, but I've put down your note on ergonomics, and will keep it in mind.

[KeldorKatarn]

It's kind of a brainfuck anyway lol. After all camoflage patterns are DESIGNED for the specific purpose of NOT being able to clearly detect the outlines of the tank/plane/ship whatever. So having them in a game on a map and NOT act like camoflage is actually a bit messed up

[captainjack]

camoflage patterns are DESIGNED for the specific purpose of NOT being able to clearly detect the outlines

I'm afraid you reminded me of the lame joke:
I bought some camouflage trousers - but they are so good that I can't find them.

But slightly more seriously, you have to make some compromise with camouflage patterns or you might as well omit unit icons completely.