Hello ET and all the community, it's been a while since i post here!
First of all i wish to you all a very happy and successfull 2022!
As a big fan of Smaug, as you probably know from the concept i designed 4 years ago here on MU (it's unbelievable how fast the time runs
), i'd like to submit my feedback on the matter (let's see if i still remember how to set properly a MU post
)
I'll split the discussion in two:
Part 1:AbilitiesI'm overall very happy of what you guys designed for him. The abilities and powers of the Mighty One are mostly what we can espect from the old 4.0 MM articles.
The Leveling up system based on building destruction really the character
Very balanced and consistent with Smaug's nature the mechanic of Greed of the Golden Dragon: you have to sacrifice your own building (or an ally one) to make him grow in power until the maximum level. Marvellous!
In the past i thought about a final ability of Smaug which can include
Dragon Strike Animation and his devasting flames, but since you bring back the vanilla's spellbook power i guess this inclusion is no more possible (unless there's still a free spot in the ring form
).
i'm not a big fan of
Fireball, in my mind the possibility of give specific shapes to fire it belongs to wizards like gandalf (fireworks) and Saruman.
By the way I find very ingenious the possibility to fuel the flames via the wing blast!
It brings the two fire abilities to another level.
It remainds me when the Eagles blow on the flames to burn Wargs in the first Hobbit movie!
An idea for the ring form could be to make the flames last more (or in alternative to spread faster!) and give them a diffent color!
Hypnotic Gaze: i guess is not going to affect ring heroes/main leaders of the factions? The topic has been discussed deeply in the community and i can see there are still some doubts about the matter here and there.
To conclude, i'm looking forward to know, in an article which will be released
Soon™, how do you guys managed to introduce Smaug in game as permanent hero, and also what is in store for the other MM Heroes that have not been introduced yet
Part 2: Design1.TextureLet me start comparing the Old and the New:
I really like the new darker color you chose. Also the wings feels much more realistic and less "Cartoonish" which respect to the old one and in this way there is much more evenness/uniformity. Well done!
if I'd suggest something about the new skin, i'd say there could be i little bit more regarding the pattern and dimensions of the dragon scales. For the rest i've nothing to add more!
1.ModelIn my opinion the choice of keeping the model and relative bonded animation of the Summoned Dragon (SD) is the right one.
If i'm not wrong there are two different versions in BFME and ROTWK of SD, which differs from both animation and model point of view. The one that originates Edain Smaug is the most proper one,especially on the ground. Its animation gives that sense of Snaky/serpent-like dragon, which both The Professor and also Weta D. in the movies intend to depict.
What i would like instead to point out, is that the current model, focusing on the eyes, mouth and muzzle in general, lacks of that "Evil" kind of character of Smaug, as well as doesn't give the feeling of a kind of intelligent (almost human in some face expressions). It is a bit general and "wild" dragon design and and doesn't give that kind of "over the average" feeling. A practical example is Drogoth:
Even though back at the time was not so much a detailed and sophisticated design, it gives that kind of Sharpness, smartness and sense of leadership that stand out with respect to, so to say, "lesser" drakes.
Hope my explanation was clear
In the end, I'm not that kind of Edain fan that want an exact movie-like 4 legs version at every cost. It would require a huge work and, if i'm up to date with the current state of the team, only two members are in charge of modeling and graphic department.
It's so the right decision to concentrate their effort where needed.
To be totally honest, between the demand "Movie design at every cost" and answer "It's just very close to the movies"/"It's totally fine like it is" there is still a good "middle ground" of discussion, in my view, on how to improve the current model preserving Edain Style and uniqueness.
Keeping in mind that for is you an hobby, and that here on MU discussions must be fueled by the common ET and fans passion for Books and movies, here i have make a quick sketch of a "Smaugy" version of S.D. inspired by the hobbit movies just to give you the idea of what i meant. Some clarifications about it:
-
It's not a w3d model it's a digital drawing from a screenshot - Some details could be improved futher such as scales, fangs, and spines. It's just
to give you the idea of what i meant. I'm sorry drawing it's not my main field
- proportions of both original dragon and Smaug version could seem distorted, it's
because i cannot find a better angle on w3d viewer.
- Being myself not a modeler, for simplicity i kept the original colors, but you can
easily figure out how could be way way better with the new red skin recently
showcased.
Keep up the good work and looking forward to see more about the long desired Gobbos
Forever and ever your fan
Aulë