Time for another new topic!
This one is for talking about the playable characters themselves:
What types of characters, what species, and what each character can do!
Each class (longneck, threehorn, etc.) and each species (apatosaurus, diplodocus, etc.) will have unique abilities.
We need to come up with as many ideas as we can for abilities that our playable dinos will develop as they gain levels.
Eventually we can also decide on the maximum possible level, at what levels each skill is learned, ways to learn secret skills, what actually happens when you reach a new level, and so on.
Anyway, we'll start with something Malte came up with: a list of playable character classes and a few species available to each class:
Malte says (4:13 PM):
Longneck: Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, Brachiosaurus
Swimmer: Saurolophus, Lambeosaurus, Corythosaurus (more possibilities here)
Malte says (4:13 PM):
Flyer: Pteranodon, Rhamphornychus (spelling), Guido
Malte says (4:14 PM):
Threehorn: Triceratops, Pachyrhinosaurus, Chasmosaurus
Malte says (4:14 PM):
Spiketail: Stegosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Nodosaurus
Also, fast-runners will be a playable class of dinos. Fast runners will include dinos like Ruby.
Size classes:There are two size classes, "Small" and "Large". All "Small" Dinos share some abilities while all "Large" dinos share other abilities.
Brief stats on each class, still up for discussion.
Stats are on a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest:
Longneck:Size: Large
Strength: 7
Threehorn:Size: Large
Strength: 9
Swimmer:Size: Small
Strength: 3
Flyer:Size: Small
Strength: 2
Spiketail:Size: Large
Strength: 10
Fast Runner:Size: *Medium*
Strength: 6
Some abilities unique to each class:
Longneck:Reach - The longneck is able to reach objects buried up high in trees and on ledges.
This skill may not be possible to level up. Not yet decided.
Dash - Every dino has the ability to "Sprint" away from danger, increasing their speed for a short time. Longnecks have the ability to perfect this techinque. As Dash levels up, the length of time the longneck is able to sprint before getting tired is increased.
Tail Whip - Long neck, long tail! Longnecks are able to use their tails for variety of purposes. Less destructive than the Spiketail's tail but faster.
Threehorn: Charge - Takes a couple of seconds to "build up" before use. The threehorn charges headfirst into the target object. Useful for destroying/moving rocks, bushes, etc. As it levels up, it is able to destroy larger and heavier objects.
Swimmer:Swim Speed - The swimmer has the ability to learn to swim faster than any other creature. At level 1, the swimmer is only slightly faster than the other dinos in water. As the skill levels up, the swimmers speed in water becomes faster.
Underwater Fitness - All dinos can swim underwater for a short time but the swimmer is capable of improving the maximum time they can spend underwater before having to come up for air. As Underwater Fitness levels up, the swimmer's maximum amount of time underwater increases.
Flyer:Flight (duh
) - At character level 1, every flyer is like Petrie in LBT 1 (or any other dino, for that matter!): unable to fly at all. When a flyer learns this ability (as early as character level 2, probably), the flyer will be able to take off and fly. As Flight levels up, the maximum height above the ground is increased and the maximum time you can spend in the air is increased. At maximum level, Flight gives a flyer virtually unlimited flight freedom.
Spiketails/clubtails:Tail Whip - The back end of a spiketail is what makes them unique! Spiketails can use their tails for everything from taking down trees to bashing dents in the ground. I'm sure we'll find a good use for these skills at some point in the game.
Charge - Like the threehorn, the Spiketail can headbutt objects to destroy or move them. Less destructive power than the Threehorn's version (no horns on their head) but more capacity to move objects than the Threehorn (due to being heavier than the Threehorn). Combined with a Threehorn or other Spiketails, Charge can be used to move very heavy objects.
Fast Runners:Lift/Carry: Fast runners are large dinos with hands, able to carry and transport relatively large objects. As this skill levels up, the fast runner will be able to lift heavier objects (rocks, etc.) as well as carry more objects over a distance.
Dash - Every dino has the ability to "Sprint" away from danger, increasing their speed for a short time. What would a fast runner be that couldn't...run...fast?
The fast runners have the ability to improve their sprint speed and duration, similar to longnecks.
Skills for all Small dinos:Stealth - Small dinos are able to use their size to sneak around and hide from enemies or any creature they may not want to see them.
Skills for all Large dinos:Transport - Large dinos are able to carry smaller dinos on their backs. This could prove to be useful in some situations.
Team Skills that require both dino sizes:Carry: A small dino with a large dino can team up to carry large quantities of objects. Basically, the objects and the small dino ride on the large dino's back, with the small dino holding them there in place.
Skills available to all dinos:Sprint - Every dino will be able to sprint for a short time before getting tired. Sprinting is designed to help the player get out of danger.
Rescue - Every dino is able to try to rescue another dino from a stuck situation, such as falling in a tar pit. The limitation to this skill that is one is only able to rescue dinos of your size and smaller. Small dinos cannot pull large dinos out of tar pits.
We need more ideas for skills and abilities! Anybody have cool ideas?