Stormcaster

[Lonely Tylenol]

All right, guys, here's the newest addition to my CAU collection: The Stormcaster.

I know it may sound like a bomb unit, based on its attack, but I hope with a simple explanation you will think otherwise, and actually enjoy this unit.

Name: Stormcaster
HP: 40
Power: 18* (unblockable)
Armor: 0
Blocking: 56%/28%
Recovery: 3

Movement Range [teleport]:
0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 X 0 X 0 0 0
0 0 X 0 X 0 X 0 0
0 X 0 X 0 X 0 X 0
X 0 X 0 S 0 X 0 X
0 X 0 X 0 X 0 X 0
0 0 X 0 X 0 X 0 0
0 0 0 X 0 X 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 0

Attack Range:
0 0 0 X 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 X 0 0
0 X 0 X 0 0 0
X 0 X S X 0 X
0 0 0 X 0 X 0
0 0 X 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 X 0 0 0

*The Stormcaster's Chain Lightning attack will take 10 attack power from the Lightning Ward.

**The Stormcaster may only move on squares divisible by 2; as a direct result, it will never be able to hit any squares it can land on, as a direct result of its attack range.

Second attack: Static Field (activated like Mud Quake)
Attack range: 8 (unblockable)
Power: Reset to 0 for the duration of the attack

The Static Field ability does no damage to HP-based units; however, it will destroy all shrubs and defocus all Focus units within a range of 8.

When Static Field is activated, the Stormcaster will take damage equal to one times the number of spaces away the affected unit was, for each unit/shrub within its range (See diagram below).

C G 0 0 0 0
0 D M 0 0 F 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 2 3 4 0 0 0
0 0 0 L 0 0 5 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 S 0 0 0 0 0 0
S = Stormcaster; C = Cleric; F = Furgon; G = Stone; D = Dragon; M = Mud Golem; # = Shrubs; L = Lightning Ward

In this diagram, the Stormcaster will take a total of 20 damage from the shrubs (three from #2/5; four from #3; five from #1/4), 6 damage from the Furgon, 6 damage from the Stone Golem, 7 damage from the Cleric, 5 from the Mud Golem, 6 from the Dragon Tyrant, and 0 from the Lightning Ward, totaling 50 damage; the damage by each unit is added individually, instead of adding up together before deducting armor (in the event of stoning).

The Static Field attack may only be used if there is not a Lightning Ward on your side of the field (might remove this extra).

Tactics:

The tactics of the Stormcaster are very simple: It is granted a high-powered attack, but in return, has limited overall use of it. While it is true that the basic "rush in and attack" sequence has limited benefits when using this unit, doing a significant amount of damage requires the Lightning Ward, which has no major significance in a rush or bomb game.

The primary Chain Lightning attack has extended benefits in turtle games, for the same reason the Dragon Tyrant has its purposes; when applied with two Scouts and a Stone Golem, the threat of a Stormcaster finishing unit can be quite a threat.

Also, just like the Lightning Ward, this unit would make an efficient deterrent, but my different means: If you think about it, having this unit active and safe just a distance away from enemy units will have a psychological effect on your opponent--after all, they will be limited to only half the squares for options that do not involve being crushed by the Stormcaster.

Of course, with its high attack power and moderate range, it also does have merit as a rush-in-and-kill unit; however, in order to have a lasting impact on enemy units, redirection of enemy units and prediction of their movements is key, or they will be able to avoid you fairly easily.

The secondary attack, true, does have a range of 8 and can defocus units; however, using it implies that you are without your Lightning Ward, which means you are compromising your attack power for the sake of a long-range defocuser, which might even die after applying the attack.

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions? Flames? Nah. No flames. But the rest are welcome.

Also, sorry if someone's done this.

[Mithrandir]

I love it, easily your best unit since the Blitzkrieg, probably your best unit since the Amplifying Golem. Ladies and gentlemen, look out, LT's back. :cool:

[Calos]

i like it, but who would go without the lightning ward, when its just a potential one shot; focus, shrub barrier killer?

[Lonely Tylenol]

i like it, but who would go without the lightning ward, when its just a potential one shot; focus, shrub barrier killer?

For the same reason people would use a no-armor, no-blocking, 2 recovery unit that can coincidentally hit with an area of effect of 3; this would mean that, should the situation arise, you could destroy a shrub wall, defocus a Stone Golem or Frost Golem, or other crucial units.

If you think about that second attack, it's the ultimate defense breaker; however, with that power, comes a great cost--the loss of a unit completely, and the possible defocusing of all your own Focus units (if applied poorly).

[Mithrandir]

A unit of this high quality cannot drop to page 3 without notice. All ye who did not comment on this unit before, read it! :mad:

[Zhou Yu]

Definately one of your Best so far, LT. =) A decent addition and well balanced focus breaker.

My rating on Stormcaster: 7/10

It has some flaws but with good strategic uses, he can be a vital unit in certain cases.

[Cross Punisher]

Everyone's units keep looking more complicated and drawn out than what they could be.

[imagination]

i like it, i wouldnt use it but i like it. lots to think about for this one. im to tired so i cant think about how to abuse it atm.

[Lonely Tylenol]

i like it, i wouldnt use it but i like it. lots to think about for this one. im to tired so i cant think about how to abuse it atm.

When you find away to make a unit that can only span half the field abusive, you let me know. :)

Everyone's units keep looking more complicated and drawn out than what they could be.

I don't think it's that complicated... It can only move on half the field, and can only attack the other half.

That's the entire concept; the rest of the unit is balance.

Definately one of your Best so far, LT. =) A decent addition and well balanced focus breaker.

And:

A unit of this high quality cannot drop to page 3 without notice. All ye who did not comment on this unit before, read it!

I wuv you guys. :bigsmile:

Thanks to both of you.

[Mithrandir]

Everyone's units keep looking more complicated and drawn out than what they could be.
I'm sorry you feel that way because there have been some great units in the last month or two. Have you seen CRX's Gargoyle? Sure it's complicated but it's great too.

This is why I went on a versatility binge a while ago and made some basic melee units. For the most part they went unnoticed. I did that, now I personally am interested in swinging for the fences.
Definately one of your Best so far, LT. =) A decent addition and well balanced focus breaker.
I'd say your best since the Amplifying Golem, MAYBE your best since the Grapnel Warrior.

[Lonely Tylenol]

So I'm using this unit as my example for my CAU Certification Examamajiggy, and while the PM is really only going to Serge, I figure it would be an honor to share this unit with you all again.

Plus, the whole "second anniversary bump" thing kinda went awry, so there's really no point in waiting until October anyway.

Enjoy. :)

[Kyir]

We needed an example?

I guess I should read things more carefully.

LT. New Unit.

Or else the cat gets it.

[Lonely Tylenol]

We needed an example?

I guess I should read things more carefully.

LT. New Unit.

Or else the cat gets it.

:eek:

I had an idea for a unit, but Walrus already made the exact same thing!

Big frickin' surprise, huh?

That kinda discouraged me from making a big flashy comeback. I'm just too drained to come up with something completely original, revitalizing, and thought-provoking anymore.

Edit: Also, it was question 3.

[Kyir]

Oh, I used my Blade Golem for that.

[map13]

i like it!!! in fact... i love it!!! y didnt i think of it!!! now im sad... =( but still great unit!!!

[Cross Punisher]

ok so why does the attack range only go in counter-clock-wise and not have the option to go in a clock-wise direction?

[map13]

actually it should be unpredictable of the path of the lightning (but in the direction u chose of course)

[shurtugal]

yeah thats too over powered but i LOVE IT! id like a unit like that but golds would just own any1 that way

[Lonely Tylenol]

ok so why does the attack range only go in counter-clock-wise and not have the option to go in a clock-wise direction?

1) Because it's confusing that way
2) Because the singular pattern (CCW) gives the user a preset idea of how they try to use the unit, as well as the opponent a preset idea of how they want to counter it (like, not leaving their units in a CCW triangle, for example)
3) Because it's otherwise a fairly insignificant difference (in almost every instance, you can hit that panel by moving diagonally to the right and attacking to the left, or by moving the opposite direction and keeping the same targeting)

Otherwise... I dunno. I made this unit two years ago, I don't know what my thought process was behind it that forced me to think CCW. :(

[Alevera]

holy crap.
i love it i love it i love it!
you're my hero.