Better combat system please.

[HolyN'Evil]

I really enjoy this game but the combat to kill Bears and boars is really bad. throwing spear only option and takes about 10-15 spears for a boar. would like to be able to melee thrust it at least. after all game feels amazing

[originalstudios]

I've been trying all sorts of things to make the combat better over the development of the game and I agree it still doesn't feel satisfying at all. Do you have examples of combat in similar games that would work well in this one?

[tonythegardener]

I think the combat in Green Hell might have some similarity to this game. In a survival game it's better to rig up traps and such to help with attacking an animal. Humans are puny and easily injured in direct combat against claws, teeth and tusks. Bow is another options

[Old_Wolf]

One problem with combat in this game is the way you move. You have to hold the middle mouse button or F key to rotate your view. And have to hold the left mouse button or space bar to aim for attack. When you are aiming for attack it locks your rotate. So it makes it really hard to follow an animal like a coyote who is circling you, Is there a way to lock you rotate to you r aim so your point of view follows you aim?

[Repairman_Jack]

I agree with Old_Wolf. Entering throwing mode should be a toggle... not a button-hold. There should be one button (or button combo) to enter throwing mode, and something like LMB to release (throw)... all the while the normal camera controls should still work. And, as mentioned above... need some kind of melee spear. If I can make a throwing spear, I sure as heck can make a melee spear.

[Skwerley]

things like snares, bolas, throwing sticks, etc could work, maybe? Without too much of an overhaul. If you read/watch any "suvivalist" content, it's extremely rare to see them suggest a 1v1 with wild predators.

Maybe the "meta" for combat could be traps that debuff their movement or daze them. Like snare them in a net trap, hit them with some throwing sticks (boomerangs) and wear them down until you can walk up and kill them like you do with trapped small game.

Or some kind of chasing mechanic, persistence hunting style. Animals can sprint really fast but, they don't sweat. If we could somehow exhaust predators, either by making them chase us or chasing them, or as I mentioned above with nets and snares of different types. Maybe they would have to "struggle" more with each additional device, and after a certain amount they would be "exhausted" for a time, laying down unable to move since they can't cool down by perspiring.

[Skwerley]

Originally posted by Skwerley:

things like snares, bolas, throwing sticks, etc could work, maybe? Without too much of an overhaul. If you read/watch any "suvivalist" content, it's extremely rare to see them suggest a 1v1 with wild predators.

Maybe the "meta" for combat could be traps that debuff their movement or daze them. Like snare them in a net trap, hit them with some throwing sticks (boomerangs) and wear them down until you can walk up and kill them like you do with trapped small game.

Or some kind of chasing mechanic, persistence hunting style. Animals can sprint really fast but, they don't sweat. If we could somehow exhaust predators, either by making them chase us or chasing them, or as I mentioned above with nets and snares of different types. Maybe they would have to "struggle" more with each additional device, and after a certain amount they would be "exhausted" for a time, laying down unable to move since they can't cool down by perspiring.

Also maybe we could make terrain that they couldn't navigate easily. Think a net, suspended taught about 3 inches from the ground, that a boar or wolf might struggle to walk over without expending a lot of energy or moving very slowly. Maybe a sling, like the one from the bible story, essentially a length of cordage with a pouch in the middle. In the right hands, those things can send a pebble at some pretty incredible speeds.

[Fatherwow]

Yes the spear throw animation feels really bad.. instead of just clicking on the animals you have to like aim for a few seconds where the animal is.. however the animals move to attack you so by the time u throw your spear they normally already moved.. be great if u had a way to stun them, or a pit with spikes they can fall in.. something better then current system.

[Dextor]

Check out a game called Vintage Story. It has in depth crafting like your game and also the combat where difficult is manageable and reasonable balanced. The combat in your game feels bad because the interaction with your opponent lacks tactical interaction. Specifically, simply targeting your opponent is difficult because of the UI. My combat was only with wolves, but they seem far more maneuverable and responsive than I. Felt like I was a drunken kid fighting a boxer. Part of this is the inherit problem 3rd person perspective brings to games. That said, the wolf AI feels fine. Aggressive early (full health and/or hungry) then retreats when injured.

Suggestions to test: Reduce Wolf model size 10%, slow the wolf movement or increase player speed 10%. Perhaps implement a combat mode? zoom in and shrink model sizes to allow for combat "dancing"

[Doombringer]

Could try something similar to Tab targeting and pan the camera accordingly. It certainly needs something to make it more controllable and satisfying.

[SomewhatSolo]

Originally posted by Doombringer:

Could try something similar to Tab targeting and pan the camera accordingly. It certainly needs something to make it more controllable and satisfying.

I agree, Tab targeting, lock on to the target and fire away. Work difficulty balancing backwards, make combat easy to start and balance for difficulty from there. At least it's "working" while you figure things out.

[greedybeggar]

In my opinion, such a slightly lopsided combat system is ok. This is not a hunting game. The protagonist is probably not a professional hunter, but an accidental victim of the plague who suddenly has to cope in the forest. The environment is supposed to be the enemy and you should avoid fighting to survive, and the wolf or bear should be an extremely difficult opponent. Otherwise this game will turn into hack and slash. So the fact that one out of three spear throws hits the target is perfectly fine. It reflects the spirit of the story. I would even make it more difficult by adding damage zones. Headshots for the maximum amount of HP, body hits for 60% and legs for 30%.

[Skwerley]

Yeah please keep the spear throwing the way it is, I actually really like it. It's really satisfying to hit a moving target, also the range is perfect, so you can sneak up on animals.