Bugs Thread

[Zechnophobe]

Originally Posted by LegendMaker

@camelotcrusade:
I tested it quickly just to verify, and I can't seem to be able to "Backstab" any other objects; I tried on both wasp nets and ice walls ("Murder" doesn't work either). To be more specific, I can't backstab my own ice ball, but enemy Assassins can.

All the in-game evidence I have seen suggests the Ice Ball is really handled as a unit, not an object or an obstacle. It even has its own unit info screen complete with all its stats, which says it's a Level 3 unit (an 800+ HP lvl 3 unit!), of the "Neutral" class, and that it has the built-in Ability "Ice Creation" (just like the Ice Spider).

Overall it works as it's supposed to, even though a few things aren't very consistent, like the fact that it can be poisoned (it has a high poison resistance, but still, poison shouldn't affect animated ice at all, which was true in The Legend). I also strongly suspect it has some kind of in-built "Target" effect, although you can also cast the "Target" spell on it (even without casting Target, most enemy stacks will attack it over flesh and blood units, even ones they could finish off in one blow).

The backstab thing is a bit different: it's not just that it's not logical that a ball would have a "back", it's also that your unit has a secret weak spot which you cannot see, let alone take measures to protect, but the enemy assassins always know where it is, and can target it. So it's a bit "unfair", and looks like an unnoticed issue rather than a deliberate game feature.

Mind you, it's not a big deal, far from it. WotN's Ice Ball is insanely badass and powerful as it is, and I'm loving it! The original KBTL one was already great, then the AB/CW was unfortunately weakened to the point that I no longer used it. But what we have now is by far the fiercest version of the Ice Ball ever. Besides, it's not like I was up against Assassins all the time.

Backstab on the ice ball is a bit weird, but I don't think a bug. It should have a 'back' facing counter to whatever direction it moved last.

As for 'target', it feels like enemy ai tends to attack 'small' stacks generally over large ones (though it is a weighted chance). I believe this is what causes it to zero in on summons, of all types, and things you mind control with rabid.

[LegendMaker]

Originally Posted by Zechnophobe

Backstab on the ice ball is a bit weird, but I don't think a bug. It should have a 'back' facing counter to whatever direction it moved last.

Thanks, this could be it. I'll try to verify the next time I'm up againt assassins (I overwrote my save after that fight). But based on what happened in my last fight, it means the ball appears with its back to the right side of the screen, contrary to other summoned creatures who have their backs to the left side (that's with your enemy at the top and you at the bottom). I summoned the Ice Ball at the beginning of a round, in front of another unit; before its first turn, the Assassin's turn came, and it backstabbed my ice ball from the right. Anyways, if it really works like that, then I guess it's not so much a bug as an odd and impractical feature.

As for 'target', it feels like enemy ai tends to attack 'small' stacks generally over large ones (though it is a weighted chance). I believe this is what causes it to zero in on summons, of all types, and things you mind control with rabid.

You're probably right. I've seen creatures walk half the screen to reach a "Loki-touched" stack. Then, it's not a perk exclusive to the ball, it's just that it happens to enhance its natural tank/target role. If it does the same for Chaos Dragons or Phoenixes (assuming they're still around, I haven't seen either yet), I don't suppose it's equally good news (depends on one's strategy, of course).


Edit: The Ice Ball's "back" apparently isn't placed as you thought. I just saw an assassin backstabbing my ice ball from the bottom-right hexagon around it, when the ball's last move prior to that had been to the front (so its "back" spot would have been straight "behind it" according to your hypothesis, but it was actually one hex to the right from that spot). So either it's a more complex calculation to determine where the ball's "back" is, or it really is a bug and assassins can attack it from any side they want, and call that "the back".

[camelotcrusade]

Well, I agree it would be more realistic if they didn't target the ice ball with backstab. But since the whole point of the ice ball is a big giant distraction (tell me you don't cast if or the damage... lol) I'd much rather have an assassin waste its backstab on my iceball. Man they are annoying and I'm afraid to move my units out until I have a plan to deal with backstab.

It's a nice little strategy to use on assassins... thanks for the tip. I wonder if those annoying shamans cast river of blood on it, too. Bleed ice ball, bleeeeed.

PS - if you want me to bug it, I could, just to see if they change it. Or, we can all continue to use, abuse it, and <3 it.

[LegendMaker]

@camelotcrusade: Same here. I'm practically traumatized by this dreaded backstab, and the ball trick does actually help with that. It just seemed odd, so I pointed it out. But you're right, I suppose it's not necessarily worth reporting to the devs.

Of course, I use it primarily for its awesome ability to keep enemy troops as seating ducks at the other side of the screen, giving me rage without hurting my actual army, and neatly gathered for maximum Gudriga's Rage efficiency (it doesn't affect the ball, since it's a friendly unit). That said, if it gets the chance to do a complete roll across the screen while blessed, it can deal some serious damage (I play Warrior, so it has lower base stats than with a Mage, but my hero's stats more than make up for it). Come to think of it, it might be most effecient with the Skald's high defense. But I'm derailing, sorry.

Thanks for your replies!

[camelotcrusade]

I finally got Regina's messenger and I'm not seeing this bug anymore:

Regina's Messenger golem has no name: This valkyrie rage ability spawns a lava golem that does not have a name, instead it has a tag that says [cpn_lava_golem5] NF.

Zech, did you fix it in your language mod or do you think it was with the patch?

Incidentally, I see the stun graphic going off when that golem wails on skeletons, but they are still attacking me. Can somebody remind me what "stun" does? The tooltip simply says he stuns creatures under level 5, but not what stunning does.

[camelotcrusade]

I've noticed I can't use my Soothsayer's Arcane Healing to heal my hurt stack of maidens. Is it working for anyone else? I Know it won't resurrect them because they are level 4, but the tooltip implies it should still heal all units regardless of level. I swear I've used it to heal my royal griffons before, but maybe I am mistaken.

[RCDOWN]

Hent's Heritage quest is bugged:

The designated spot in Verlon Wasteland don't react when you "dig" on it.

The only one working for now is the one in Nordling i think.

Originally Posted by camelotcrusade

Ugh, sorry to hear that. A savegame would be good so we can see if others get this crash. Curious - can you see if the combat has an units you've never fought before? Maybe one of them is a bad one. I haven't fought any demons yet but I did just get demon portal. Imp seems OK to summon, at least.

Turn out that the crash happen only one over 3 and expecially when you zoom in and out during the dialog.
I managed to pass the point after 2 try.

[LegendMaker]

Originally Posted by camelotcrusade

I've noticed I can't use my Soothsayer's Arcane Healing to heal my hurt stack of maidens. Is it working for anyone else? I Know it won't resurrect them because they are level 4, but the tooltip implies it should still heal all units regardless of level. I swear I've used it to heal my royal griffons before, but maybe I am mistaken.

I can't confirm for maidens or griffins (the only maidens I had in my game were during training, and I haven't found any griffins yet), but it definitely works on my level 4 soothsayers themselves, and even on my level 5 trolls (it just cures them, though: no resurrection, just like the tooltip says).