Hi Garlodur
first of all, thank you for you feedback and sorry for the late answer.
I would try to clarify better my choices:
Firstly, to respond to the issue of the Hypnotic Gaze, there seems to be a deadlock about the first of its three effects. I don't like any of the mind-controlling aspects, because they are not properly founded on lore. Therefore I suggest to leave out any temporary take-over of enemy heroes. The other effects seem reasonably unique, although it is hard to maneuver between the skills of Saruman, Wormtongue amd Sauron. Perhaps some hard thinking could lead you to differentiate between them three (who use their voice and wit) and a mighty dragon (using spells through his eyes). Then again the ability might turn too weak, but you should let your creativity roam freely. I tell you it works wonders
Secondly, I want to mention the double abilities Smaug in flight has in Mighty Roar and Hurricane Wings. Both have the effect of scaring or blowing enemies away such that they cannot attack Smaug. Without added effects one fills up a valuable place in Smaug's arsenal. Perhaps the Roar could reduce enemy attributes temporarily, or the Hurricane Wings disable buildings. Again, free your mind of constrictions of lore, representation and Edain design philosophy, before coming round full circle.
Thirdly, a very fair point was made in comparing Smaug's greediness to that of the regular Goblins. I don't think the Dragon Sickness (perhaps Spoil is better than Sickness) ability goes far enough in distinguishing his greed and pride over the minor Goblins who reuse materials rather than sitting and sleeping on top of them. Even more, a faction with so much scavenging could become lackluster, even if it is its central theme. There should be variations in the gameplay, different options players can pursue depending on situations besides spamming units.
Fourthly, I might see a double ability with Smaug in flight, in level 1 and 10. The way they are they deal area-of-effect in a wide area, one against standard units only, and the other against everything together. Not up to high unique design standards. Perhaps another added effect could distinguish them, but I recommend you implement a single target attack at range such as the Fireball or dragon-shaped fire. It could deal high damage against heroes or buildings, perhaps with napalm or spread effect.
Fifthly, I like the basic idea of the Tribute System as I deem ot valuable for Smaug to be only recruitable by limitations in early and mid-game. Nonetheless, I don't like the certain pay-to-win feature as Smaug will likely end up to be in a faction based off scavenging. Could you limit it to one kind of tribute for a reasonable cost, gaining him one level per summon, with only a short summoning 60-90 seconds, and a few minutes cooldown, so he stays a really temporary threat. You will also have to paint the picture of how this Dragon Lair as an outpost works, because your assumptions are not clarified. Some outposts are expensive and give many options to start with; perhaps the Dragon Lair is already defended by Drakes, does not need to level up, or provides strong leadership by default.
Sixthly, concerning the Ring; the idea doesn't look very interesting to be honest. It highlights greed, which is already omnipresent in this faction. Why not give this particular the fancy of a ruler, as if he were more than a mirror of the Eagles of the Valar, perhaps deeming himself a Maiar himself. I know of no writings relating the effect of Elven Magic (Rings of Power) on dragons, so here it's required to work your imagination!
1st point : at least for me, as long as we excluded the ring heroes, there's no deadlock in the development of the idea. In this case,it is not directly a controlling of mind, but rather an indirect manipulation of the victim which is stunned and confused by the spell (the time need to be balance properly of course). It is a delicious reference to the power of the father of all fire-worms, so i deem it lore-friendly
2nd-4th point : concerning level 1 and 10 abilities, i think they fit perfectly with the mass-slayer characterization of Smaug. As i wrote, i don't like fire ball and even less the fire-shaped dragon attack. They rightly belong to wizards. Furthermore, i don't think single target attack fit at all for Smaug. I used exactly the logic of the level 1-10 abilities of Gandalf as an example of mass slayer: both wizards blast and word of power damages the enemy units and knock them back, but with a different scale of power of course (also in the ring form the bright word of power has effect on armor, which distinguish it more inuniqueness). In the same way incinerate and i'm fire,i'm death should have the same firespreading effect on a certain area (that's something that fits far better for a big dragon like him imo!!), but with a different area and animation (one in movement, the other when standstill in flight), and also with slightly different effect to give them more purposes!!
Concerning roar of the beast and wing hurricane, one make the units flee, the other knock back and damaged them ( but smaug is standstill so is not so protected!), given the player the possibility to finish the damaged target with raged weapon or melee troops! At least even if i know i didn't add anything apart from original/classical/vanilla effects ( and you may say me that ideas seem "flat"
), i can see there are some differences between the two
3rd point : it seems about dragon sickness (yeah maybe the name fits better for Thorin II, i could change it in "dragon greedyness" or something like that) the forum is quite divided
. I cannot say anything more than what i say to TheDarkOne: it seems balanced and rapresent well the character in my opinion. In particular the double-cut effect (both against you or the enemy) underlines the fact that Smaug doesn't care about alliances especially about treasures. He instead pretend a tribute even when permanently in game
That's my view but i could be wrong of course. it could be not funny in game or not balanced. This i cannot know because it requires testing
5th-6th point : about the ring you are right, still it's work in progress. I would still work on greedyness and brutal power anyway. Because i think smaug doesn't want to resamble maia or similar creatures. He deems himself just perfect, and even more he will feel invicible under the influence of the ring i believe
I will clarify better the role of the dragon lair later on if it is not clear, i promise
Anyway, the FOR-AGAINST list are founded on agree-disagree on the general ideas (small details and some effects can change). I'm still quite new here (more or less 8 months), so i have not so much experience in "management" of concept-related threads
. But, a thing i'm learning is that we cannot agree or disagree on single details otherwise we start an eternal loop
. So, about the general concept you agree or disagree? or i have to take you as "in-maybe" phase for now?
. Feel yourself free to judge.
Of course i will take into account all the ideas and modify some details and/or effect, this i can do for sure
. What i cannot do is twist totally the ideas, both because i quite like them as they are (otherwise i would had not proposed them
) and last but not least because just some people agreed with them