Re: [Wesnoth-dev] Three level units

[David White]

Thank you for bringing this issue up.

I would like to say that most of these units are units that no explicit 
decision has been made about. That is to say, we have explicitly said 
that some units will be 'capped' at level 2 intentionally as a design 
decision. However, there are only relatively few units that this 
decision has been made about. Most of the other units don't have a level 
3 because of resource issues more than explicit design decisions. That's 
not to say that they should have a level 3, it's to say that it's 
something we have to decide.

> --Drakes--
> Drake Gladiator
> Drake Slasher
> Drake Warrior
> Sky Drake

I think these units probably should. Drakes should be able to grow 
rather powerful.

> Lancer
> Javelineer
> Troll Rocklobber
> Deathblade
>
> These units have been deliberately added to a tree as a "trade-off" 
> branch - more utility in the short term at the cost of long term power.

Right. These units should not have a level 3. That's already been decided.

> Outlaw
> Trapper
> Bandit
>
> Outlaw units (with the exception of the Thief->Rogue->Assassin line) 
> supposedly do not have three levels to reflect their "not proper 
> soldier" status. However, several user campaigns include third level 
> Outlaws, and I believe that the third-level Outlaws are widely enjoyed.

I'm personally not really in favor of third level outlaws, but don't 
have a strong opinion on the matter.

> Dwarvish Beserker (Neorice has created some good graphics for a third 
> level beserker. I think we should include it)

I concur: if you can get a beserker to survive this long, you deserve to 
get a good unit.

> Goblin Pillager (Should this be a "branch" line? I'd rather like to 
> see a Goblin Firestarter or similar)

I think a decision was made to make this a 'trade off' unit.

> Duelist (Francisco drew concept art for a Swordmaster, and I think the 
> Duelist definitely deserves

I think this unit should have a third level.

> Gryphon Master (I have some graphics ideas on this score)

This unit as well...

> Saurian Icecaster/Soothsayer (Didn't Antwerp create three levels for 
> these guys? I'd like to see them in use)

Yes, I think this would be good...

> Ogre (A third level "Battle Ogre", anyone? ;-)

I agree; I don't have any problem with a third level ogre -- after all, 
these are powerful creatures. Personally, I also don't have a problem 
with just calling it a 'Giant'.

> Orcish Crossbowman (The "Slurbow" has both graphics and support)

I don't think this unit should get a third level: I don't think orcish 
archers are that powerful or respected enough among the orcs to warrant it.

> Orcish Slayer (See my recent thread in Developer's Discussions)

I concur with this.

> Necrophage (Whatever happened to the Gorger?)

I have no opinion.

David