Re: LoC 2024 - Development Thread

[Bumbleguppy]

Ha  ha, she really looks rather plain now doesn't she

[nargil66]

Ha  ha, she really looks rather plain now doesn't she

Hehe, just wait till i get to her

Ported some more hairs, i think they will fit well for our Blade Maiden ladies:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Thanks to @icefreeze for his idea to add more thematic hairs, as well as the original creator of the hair models.
I think 15 hairstyles is more than enough. + they may come useful for other nymph types.

[nargil66]

Ok, what is done today:
1. Ported the new hairs, and removed long hairstyles from the melee nymphs (i think shorter/braid/ponytail is better for a blade maiden). I'll leave them for the Sylvan Nymph instead.
2. Made the 2 tiers much more distinguished by look, by removing the mask, shoulderpads and tree bracers from the lower tier. Preview:

On the sides - 1st tier, middle - 2nd tier
3. Reduced the size of second tier a bit so they are still smaller than human. Also, they laugh more often while running (because i like it)

Also, i had an idea to rework one of their skills:

My idea is to add a Tree Form skill there (similar to Stone Form, makes them immobilized for 6 seconds, but greatly increases Dmg Absorbtion and Regeneration). What do you say @Bumbleguppy ? They will be less offensive this way on low HP, but sturdier... you can see the skill in action here:
https://youtu.be/O7lI0RA7ayE?t=459
Only that tree mesh is too big and bulky, i think our forest ballerinas deserve a more graceful tree to turn into

[Bumbleguppy]

Okay, I feel like their other healing skill is more redundant now? Anyway, I love it and yes, the tree needs a pruning lol

[nargil66]

Here is a new concept for Tree Form:

I got inspired by some more classical paintings of dryads being merged with their tree.
Basically she will get in that pose, and simultaneously her soulbound tree will grow to protect her

Edit - ok, after some hours and some failures, here is the skill in action:

[nargil66]

Today's changes:
- The Tree Form skill is finished for the most part. Donno how balanced it is, can't say before real playtesting. But im happy with the visuals at least, it became an interesting skill that fit well with the Dryad theme. Here is what it does currently:

At first level


At ultimate level


Ignore the reduced cooldown, i just have equipped Bumble's artifact which gives max recharge.

Another small thing - i changed the swords of the Dryads with another type, shorter and more elvish looking:




Also, i think to rearrange the Nymph names in Nature mastery a bit. My idea is:

For melee nymphs: Dryad ~ Blade Maiden (lower tier) - > Hamadryad (alternatively Elder Dryad) ~ Blade Dancer/Blade Mistress (higher tier)
For ranged nymph: Forest Nymph ~ Grove Keeper(lower) - > Sylvan Nymph ~ Grove Warden (higher)
Another option is - melee nymphs to be strictly called Hamadryads (tree-bound nymphs), while for Sylvan Nymph to use the more general Dryad (forest nymph)

What do you think about the new names Bumble? English is not my native language, if you have other ideas, please let me know.

Edit - with a bit of help from @Amaryllis, here is a more refined version:
Melee: Hamadryad ~ Blade Maiden (lower tier) - > Hamadryad ~ Blade Mistress (higher tier)
Ranged: Sylvan Dryad ~ Grove Keeper (lower tier) - > Sylvan Dryad ~ Grove Warden (higher tier)

[nargil66]

Ok, change of plans. I decided instead of another forest nymph, to make something more interesting...
Coming from the muddy marshlands of Phocis, i present to you, the Swamp Naiad:



In difference to the Sylvan Nymph, i plan to make her a staff user. I'll tweak some of her skills (mostly the visuals) to fit more with the theme. She already summons will-o-the-wisp, which in legends is usually seen around swamps... + i still remember the Bog Dwellers in previous versions of LoC. I think it doesnt go astray of the Nature mastery theme

Some hair variations for our upcoming sorceress:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Edit - she is ported, and i found a fitting staff for her:

[Amaryllis]

All the nymphs are looking quite good!

[nargil66]

Thanks!

[nargil66]

Here is the new Swamp Naiad in action:



All is still WIP.

[nargil66]

Latest changes - I decided to make the nymph a bow user again. Here is her new look:


Edit - A video with latest changes:


I think to rename her Overgrowth skill to Song of Overgrowth, since she's using a Pan's flute to cast it now.

Edit2 - Finalizing the nymph's visuals:

[nargil66]

Ok, some updates - i reorganized the new files for Nature mastery the last few days, because it was a real mess. Another thing is, Sylvan Dryad's butterflies are now reworked to an effect and not a mesh:

I made an experiment, using animated texture for the effect. Wasn't very sure if it will work, but it does just fine.
Also i started a more legit character to playtest the new changes. With so many pretty girls around in Nature mastery, i finally want to play as a male, hehe. Only there is no Greek skin pack for him, i may do one soon.
I'll upload the new source files on Nexus tonight probably.

Edit - just met Thanatos, Lord of the Dead and damn... couldn't beat him, died several times... until the game crashed. And so my Nth hardcore attempt in LoC ended. Gonna try again tho.

[nargil66]

My new Champion character arrived at Megara today. I found this hat, which is quite nice:

But i think to rework the model before wearing it because right now it's floating above the character's head. The new character textures are bald, which makes it even worse, lol:

[Amaryllis]

Its honestly kinda perfect like that lol

[nargil66]

Its honestly kinda perfect like that lol

she looks like a medieval monk, hehe.
Anyway, fixed for both characters: