Actually, I might give this one a try. See how long it works out until it crumbles from plated knights on elephants.
Not saying we're doing it, but if we do, understand that:
- support will be almost nonexistant,
- same for updates,
- strategus obviously won't work with it either,
- website will be the old, horrible one
and some other things. We'll discuss it and see if it could hurt the cRPG we actually like to continue improving.
Gameplay mechanics have seem a huge improvement in strat from update to update, IMO. I think the problem has become trying to balance items and skills too much that it creates other imbalances. For example I think the turn radius on lancing from horseback is a good gameplay mechanic. Constantly tweaking and changing the skills needed to ride horses, how fast horses ride, etc...is not a good thing to focus on.
Tweaking slots of longer/bigger weapons from 1 slot for everything (like in native) to 2 slots for some items like Pikes and Long spears was good, I think making items not-sheathable if they are very large was good too. Making them 3 slots went overboard however (but would still fit into gameplay mechanic tweaks). If you were to start changing the variables for damage and swing speed then I'd think it would fall under trying to balance skills/items.
To me, that is the big problem a lot of people have with the c-rpg updates. Not the part about tweaking gameplay mechanics for what you developers see as "in the best interest of the game". But trying to tweak all the equipment and skills (and stats for both) to keep all the classes "balanced" has just created more problems and is a constant adjustment to "re-balance" the classes.
The classes will never be "balanced". They will always have strengths and weaknesses...and as far as I can tell, there has never been an "overpowered" class to the point of needed to tweak skills and equipment to nerf them.
The slower speed allows for more tactical thinking in combat, and chambering for all. The faster speed meant sub-25 ping was an instant win button. It really does punish our west coasters, and people with shitty internet. Even though I personally had more fun in high speed duels (you may recall my whine about the current speed) and such, I believe cRPG's current version is far more balanced than anything it used to be- even if we're talking about the sub-35 levels of the old version.
You really only notice blocking problems due to ping if you're over 120'ish. 150 makes it really hard to block on medium speed you have to basically block immediately as the enemy is pulling back, any delay and you won't get your block up in time.
Good manual blockers have a really easy time on medium speed for c-rpg, especially if they have under 40'ish ping. So you're damned if you do, damned if you don't. I'd rather keep it medium and give people who are connecting from the far coasts a chance to still be somewhat competitive. And if people from other continents connect they still have a small chance of blocking, on fast combat speed I don't think they'd have any chance (even considering that block speed would also be faster).
