I actually fixed those issues already, sorry I didn't find the time. Now I do
The new resource system:As suggested, having only being able to bring out powerful cards late-game (as I've realized now) is bad. But to keep the idea of level-up powerups, here's the new system.
You have the option of putting a card from your hand to the resource pile. Cards have a play cost, and is paid through that resource. It's replenished every turn. Ergo, it's basically MTG's Lands system without colors and resource card types.
HOWEVER, you can permanently use a resource (i.e. it won't be replenished next turn) to build a building, the powerups. E.g. you have 5 resources, meaning each turn you can play cards with a combined cost of up to 5. But, if you build a "Sentry Tower. Build Cost: 3. +1 attack to one creature of your choice every turn", you'll get its benefits throughout the game but now only have 2 resources remaining (the 3 is placed under the Sentry Tower, basically out of play).
The new combat system:1. Pick a target, attack with as many Attackers as you want.
2. Going one-by-one per Attacker (if it's a group attack), place dice on top of that card = Attack value.
3. Opponent removes dice from attackers = target's Defense value. If it's a group attack, opponent may choose whose to take
4. Attacker rolls remaining die one-by-one per Attacker, to check their individual rolls for Triggers. Apply effect of Trigger if any, then move on to next Attacker if any. ALL die rolls count as hits, not misses this time.
What is a Trigger?Lots of abilities in combat involve Triggers. Let's say you roll 2 dice to attack, resulting in a 3 and 4. That should do 2 damage, but your ability says "Trigger 4. +2 attack". You have at least one 4 in your rolls, meaning that ability triggers, causing 4 damage instead.
Note that some Triggers are bad for you (e.g. misses), some may say "Trigger 4 OR 3", some even "Trigger 4 AND 3". Some may have several Triggers, e.g. a Flamethrower ability is "Trigger 4. +1 Attack. Trigger 3. Burn target", meaning the example roll will net an attack boost AND a burn.
There was a suggestion on rewarding combinations, like "no penalties when paired with a Level 1". I'd thought of that, such as giving creatures traits (Attacks with teeth, claws, tentacles, is flying, etc) and rewarding combinations through abilities (e.g. If paired with something with claws, +2 attack). This adds yet more mechanics to the game.
Using Triggers means I'll be using the already implemented dice rolling. Your strategies in combos comes down to this: You roll a 4, 5 and 6. Creature half A's ability is a Trigger 4, and its attached half B is a Trigger 3. That means you only get A's ability to trigger. BUT, if both halves are Trigger 4, that two abilities happen.
It's a choice between versatility and safety (e.g. If A's doesn't trigger, B's may trigger) and sheer force through luck (e.g. when you get lucky, both A's and B's will trigger at the same time).
I hope it's an adequate replacement for "rewards through certain combinations"
Possible rule on defending against group attacks:Possibly to avoid shut down of a single target when defending, an additional rule of "remove 1 die from each attacker in group first, THEN remove remaining die for anyone you choose". E.g. A group of 3 has a total of 8 die, 2 die from creature A, 2 from creature B and 4 from C. The defender can remove 4 die, but instead of removing 4 from C, you must first remove 1 from A, 1 from B, 1 from C then the defender's choice
NoteUsing the word 'Trigger' just screams 'Japanese CCG' for me XD Small issue though.
Oh and I'd like to remind everyone that it's no longer about gods, I'm returning to my first idea of mad scientists as it's been suggested anyway.
The StoryIgnore this part if you're only interested in the mechanics right now.
You are an evil villain who'd just bought a piece of real estate to build your secret lair & doomsday device. Turns out your neighbor across the road is also a villain trying to do the same thing. Goal of the game? Build your doomsday device before the other villain, ensuring this by destroying the opponent's resources to do so using your minions and inventions.
An apologyI must come off as a "all talk and no action" guy since I have nothing to show for but improving mechanics for weeks now. As I said, uber-busy, and I hope despite this you'll stay tuned for the playtesting (God knows when). Just... expect looooooooooooooong delays before that.
