Reworked Elvenking Thranduil
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/46/fd/c8/46fdc81e5fe3f9c3af2fe4ba0defcbb2.jpg)
This Thranduil's rework leads to Grimbeorn's thread.
https://modding-union.com/index.php/topic,35665.msg473156.html#msg473156 (https://modding-union.com/index.php/topic,35665.msg473156.html#msg473156)
We think that the best Middle-earth warrior deserves more focused abilities for the time of War ... currently he provides common bonuses to units, can activate maggic bubble or summon peaceful feast. Not to mention that Galadriel is able to give him Palace guards that are probably hidden under her skirt.
So we stayed loyal to his portrayal in the movies - mass slayer and unit supporter and little reworked his skillset. Synergy between both roles, between Thranduil and his units, was something really important for us while crafting the new skillset.
Abilities:
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/2/29/Thranduil_arcane_shield.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/35?cb=20170203132104) Level 1: Noble wrath - Thranduil unleashes his fury on the battlefield to protect Mirkwood. Attacks much faster and deals splash-type damage for a short period of time. All near allied units learn from Thranduil's formidable fighting skills and get +20% experience while fighting beside the king.
https://youtu.be/2OMtzJWz6a8?t=20 (https://youtu.be/2OMtzJWz6a8?t=20)
(https://i.stack.imgur.com/O08e5.png)
We think that it fits not only to mass slayer hero, but also to army leader - example of synergy between roles.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/2/25/Thranduil_mount_abil.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/35?cb=20170203132105) Level 3: Mount/Dismount - Thranduil mounts/dismounts his mighty elk to ride/go on foot.
(https://media.moddb.com/images/mods/1/11/10679/thranduildeer_1437824941.jpg)
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/d/d3/Thranduil_Elk.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160910165430)
Such lovely elk deserves to be available earlier, than on the fifth level.
(https://i.imgur.com/9UsCkoQ.png) Level 5: Sindarin Armour - Thranduil puts on his battle armour, which gives him +25% to defense. His silver armour inspires nearby units and grants them +35% defense against monsters, heroic, elite and siege units. (Passive ability)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3b/c6/5a/3bc65a8722062d18805fc8121f4602ae.jpg)
(https://media.moddb.com/images/mods/1/11/10679/thranduilgifts_1435738983.jpg)
On 15 March, T.A. 3019, Sauron's army from Dol Guldur attacked Mirkwood. There was a long battle under the trees and the woods were set on fire, but in the end Thranduil was victorious.
It fits to 4.5. siege patch, too.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/b/b2/Thranduil_feasts.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/35?cb=20170203132105) Level 7: Feasts of Mirkwood - Thranduil gives orders to begin a special feast which offers the best vine from Dorwinion. The feast generates resources, raises the command points by 50, reveals stealth units and slowly regenerates units and their abilities. If enemies get very near the feast, Elves will vanish immediately. The feast may only be summoned once at the same time.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/8/80/Thranduil%27s_fairgrounds.png/revision/latest?cb=20170524154141)
Although we think that it fits into the spellbook (but Lorien's spellbook is currently overcrowded), we still wanted to keep such unique ability, even reworked it in order to fit more to Lorien gameplay.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/d/d9/Thranduil_palace_guards.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/35?cb=20170203132106) Level 10: Royal Counterattack - Thranduil summons a shield wall of two rows of Palace Guards around him, which starts moving against enemies and attacking them. All allied units near Palace Guards, including the Elvenking, get +50% attack.
(https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/default/poster/10/8/break/images/artworkimages/medium/1/thranduil-jonas-brunner.jpg)
We moved famous ability to ultimate spot and added second row, because additional troops trough the gift seem strange. Otherwise it looks like that Galadriel has second row of troops under her skirt ...
You can see wonderful synergy between Thranduil and his troops. He fights for them and inspires them, and they fight for their king.
Thranduil can receive upgrade "Silver gem" through Gifts of Lorien.
https://modding-union.com/index.php/topic,35645.msg472764.html#msg472764 (https://modding-union.com/index.php/topic,35645.msg472764.html#msg472764)
What is problematic and what we removed completely:
Level 3: Arcane Shield - Thranduil surrounds himself in a magical barrier which absorbs incoming damage. The shield will be depleted after 10 hits and then automatically regenerated after 60 seconds. (Passive ability)
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PCoUcUacnKI/hqdefault.jpg)
Definitely unique ability, fits for tank hero, but not for Woodland king Thranduil. Such magic exceeds even Maiar - for instance battle mage Gandalf. Also inspiration from Warcraft is obvious.
Maybe it would work for Nordor Glorfindel, but he already has similar and more lore-friendly tank abilities.
So we want to keep it that's why we suggest to move it to CaH. Fans of Elf lord class will have at least something really unique and well known.
We hope that you enjoyed reading and we are looking forward to debate with you about Edain's Thranduil! xD
P.S. ...
I have task to mention that to implement Thranduil's stances was Tienety's idea ... https://www.moddb.com/mods/edain-mod/images/thranduil-on-deer#imagebox (https://www.moddb.com/mods/edain-mod/images/thranduil-on-deer#imagebox) .... Such a modest guy! :P
FOR
1. Tiberius Ogden
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3. officialNecro
4. TheOnlyTrueWitchking
5. AulëTheSmith
6. tolgayurdal
7. dkbluewizard
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9. Gandalf7000
I just don't like him, as a hero.
It's the same with Lothlórien's current scout heroes.
Well, you're not alone ... Quite many of us ... xD
I get that much energy has been poured into his design. That's apparent, given the array of unique features. Only, uniqueness cannot always make up for flaws, or automatically transform a hero in a legend. I perceive it clearly: there seems to be something that doesn't work.
That's because he was created before BOTFA came out ... but even if we completely try to ignore last Hobbit movie, and Thranduil's deadly swords, we still would have problem with him, cause he has forced to tank role, which doesn't fit him ... but also the rest of his skillset is quite mixed.
He looks like "All in one" hero, you know ... bubble shield ... feast ... unit support ... not too focused abilities.
He should be as skilled as Elrond or Celeborn. A veritable master-swordsman, versed in the secrets of all blades. Agile, rapid and lethal, just as he swings his sword in DOS. Plus, he's a natural-born leader, since he rules his realm with an iron fist and in all occasions defended the borders against any sort of menace. Whenever I play with him, I see very little of a king, neither of a deadly warrior.
It's without doubt. Don't forget what movie makers told us: "If Galadriel is the most powerful being in the Middle-earth during the time of Hobbit, then Thranduil is definitely the most badass warrior in the Middle-earth during that period."
He should be killing machine ... and normally when you see a guy with two swords on the battlefield ... you immediately realise that you and all of your troops will have serious problems ... 8-)
But still needs unit support aspect, as he is a noble king and protector of his realm.
So the role of mass slayer for him is obvious (with some unit support aspects) ... :)
I've reworked some of his abilities which fit to mass slayer above ...
What about allowing him to temporarily summon a host of those lancers, ordered in a very tight, strict formation, so to form a quasi-impenetrable wall. This is shown in the extended edition of BOTFA.
It should create a vast and long wall of pikes and shield, not for his personal protection, but for the sake of your very army. It can either be stationary or movable, albeit very slow. Also, it would sort of resemble the testudo formation of Roman legions, symbolising Elven warfare tradition and severe discipline, against lesser adversaries.
(https://steamusercontent-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/950714557099006173/CBC0EFFDCDBB0ED0857DEB4CCE29997A8F1074D8/)
(From 4:04)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=TpsFWBzDHkk
Why so limited and complicated?
Palace guards are special unit in the movies, it's pretty clear ... troops who protect their king and his halls.
So in order to make them unique, they can stay in Thranduil's skillset plus be limited heroic unit.
(https://media.moddb.com/images/articles/1/173/172689/auto/mirkwoodguard_1407072384.jpg)
It means that we need regular lancers for Mirkwood, who fit to overall Mirkwood design and correspond to other units.
(https://media.moddb.com/images/mods/1/11/10679/mirkwoodunits_1406974970.jpg)
And solution is extremely simple - add spears instead of swords/bows to Mirkwood troops and you've created the new unit! xD
I really like this Thranduil rework.
Thanks for feedback! I've already implemented quite a lot of your thoughts in the edited comment of mine above! xD
I am still editing something ... Professional deformation :P ...
Maybe it would suit more if Galadriels Gifts would make the party much bigger, because she gives better wine and Lorien elves come to join the party. But armor is okay too.
Nice one! I've already thought about it.
Exactly, armor is fine, but ...
* Orophin and Rumil: Elven armor that drastically increases their defenses.
* Haldir: Blessed Arrow with more damage and a larger radius than Radiant Arrow
* Celeborn: Lordly armor that increases defences and damage
* Thranduil: Royal armor and an additional row of Palace Guards for his shield wall
* Legolas: Bow of the Galadhrim that increases damage of Hawk Strike and Arrow Wind
https://modding-union.com/index.php/topic,35589.0.html (https://modding-union.com/index.php/topic,35589.0.html)
... not so unique, many heroes can receive armour ... it seems like Galadriel is walking armory. Armour for her people fits ... but for Thranduil? It looks like Thranduil doesn't have money for buying royal armour ... poor forest guy ... :P
Also your idea how to improve feast isn't bad, but we have to take into account that gifts of Lorien should be directly linked to hero.
So ...
https://modding-union.com/index.php/topic,31332.msg472764.html#msg472764 (https://modding-union.com/index.php/topic,31332.msg472764.html#msg472764)
So Thranduil would receive his armour normally on level five - together with ability "Protector of Woodland realm" which will be probably passive ...
I will excuse all linguistic mistakes with my german keyboard and with the fact that I'm from Germany. ;)
I have to say, I am quite happy about the plans to rework Thranduil, because I very much dislike his current skillset.
I personally of course, would much rather look to the books than to the films, but since Edain in general is getting continously closer to the movies, while straing from the books, I believe that Thranduil is one of the characters who should stay the most with the movies.
He is portrayed in a very cool way I think, and is my favourite character from BOTFA - though that's not saying much.
Visually, he of course is almost perfect, and his character is at least believable for the most part.
What I'm not a fan of, is the skillset that is currently proposed, mainly because of two abilities:
Wrath of Elvenking - Thranduil fought many times with the great beasts from the North. Temporarily gains +75% attack bonus against Monsters, heroic and elite units, can't be knocked down and attacks much faster for short period of time.
Even when ignoring the lore aspect of the first sentence, I don't think this ability is fitting for a mass-slayer. Especially monsters, but also heroic and elite units normally don't appear in great numbers.
Furthermore, Mirkwood and Lorien can already very easily deal with single entities: They have a lot of very good archers, and of course they also have Legolas. And Legolas, eventhough his "Hawkstrike" ability went from 'OP' to 'useless', is still very efficient against not only heroes, but specificially monsters.
So in my personal opinion, "Wrath of the Elvenking" should rather give a bonus similar to this: Thranduil attacks faster and has splash damage for a short period of time.
Also, since I am already talking about Legolas, we shouldn't forget that the prince of Mirkwood already has mass-slayer capabilities due to his insane firing speed and his lvl 10 ability.
The second Thranduil ability I don't like very much is the moving shield wall, I'd still keep the stationary one in some form or another (or just get rid of it completely, and replace it with something else, like an attack order; in the extended movie he's commanding the volleys of arrows against the dwarves and later the orcs: "Leithio!").
Also, his shield wall and leadership seem a bit weak, but then again, it's Edain 4.
I know why I still have the hero submod for 3.8.1 on my laptop. 8-)
But it's good that someone has a plan how to get rid of the chewing gum bubble.
Signed,
The Lord of The Dead City.
Let me present thee, concept-maker, the new level-5 icon pertaining to the Woodland King :)
(https://i.imgur.com/9UsCkoQ.png)
THRANDUIL
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/2/29/Thranduil_arcane_shield.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/35?cb=20170203132104) Level 1: Noble Wrath - Thranduil unleashes his fury on the battlefield to protect Mirkwood. Attacks much faster and deals splash-type damage for a short period of time. All near allied units learn from Thranduil's formidable fighting skills and get +20% experience while fighting beside the king.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/2/25/Thranduil_mount_abil.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/35?cb=20170203132105) Level 3: Mount/Dismount - Thranduil mounts/dismounts his mighty elk to ride/go on foot.
(https://i.imgur.com/9UsCkoQ.png) Level 5: Sindarin Armour - Thranduil puts on his battle armour, which gives him +25% armour. His silver armour inspires nearby units and grants them +35% attack against monsters, heroic, elite and siege units. (Passive ability)
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/b/b2/Thranduil_feasts.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/35?cb=20170203132105) Level 7: Feasts of Mirkwood - Thranduil gives orders to begin a special feast which offers the best vine from Dorwinion. The feast generates resources, raises the command points by 50, reveals stealth units and slowly regenerates units and their abilities. If enemies get very near the feast, Elves will vanish immediately. The feast may only be summoned once at the same time.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/edain-mod/images/d/d9/Thranduil_palace_guards.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/35?cb=20170203132106) Level 10: Royal Counterattack - Thranduil summons a shield wall of two rows of Palace Guards around him, which starts moving against enemies and attacking them. All allied units near Palace Guards, including the Elvenking, get +50% attack.
(https://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11127/111273287/5019577-tumblr_nnxwrciw2b1upwbmco6_r1_500.jpg)
I think the current icon is well suitable for its relative ability. Being a level-1 feature, when Thranduil is still clothed in kingly robes, it would be unwise to utilise images showing him armoured and fighting.
If anything, I might craft a new icon for his ultimate skill. I'll try to pull something out of my magic hat ;)
Besides, a general question: has someone managed to find a new set of animations, as good as a decent replacement for his present, sluggish movements? Perhaps, this is the last major hurdle we must overcome.
Then perhaps this image. Here he looks noble and valar like. (https://www.hiveworkshop.com/media/thranduil_king.124341/full)
I do see your point but the reason for changing the pic in the first place is because we are changing the ability completely. In my opinion it doesn't deserve to be replaced by another ability picture (Arcane Shield in this case). I mean Elrond has the same situation with the armor and the restoration power (the icons are very similar, one centered at his face, the other - chest).
Then again i found such image, quite similar to the one you Walk already had:
(https://www.hiveworkshop.com/media/thrandui_elvenking.124344/full)