Game Mechanic: Limit Number of Spawns

[TheGreatErenan]

It seems that most of us enjoy matches that last longer than just a few turns, but in general it's not really desirable to have matches go on for 200+ turns, specifically in turtling matches. I was wondering whether anyone had ever given any thought to game mechanics that might be introduced to help ensure games don't go on practically forever.

What if spawn points were allotted a certain number of spawns per game and once that is used up they shut down? Or limit the number of wits per spawn (i.e. you can spawn 28 runners total (28 * 1) but only 4 bombshells (4 * 7), etc.)? Seems to me this could actually add to the strategic elements of the game. You only get so many spawns, so make them count.

I just thought of this, so I'm not sure if I even think it would be a good idea myself. Thoughts?

[connor34911]

Its a decent but it could actually encourage turtling. Say I get a unit advantage at the beginning of the game then decide that instead of attacking, I just bleed out my opponent by letting the spawns time out while picking a few units off at a time. When I finally engage I have a big advantage.

[Jakeyboy20]

I like it! Hopefully put a stop on annoying bombshell turtling

[Wildt4lon]

Twenty eight spawns only allows for fourteen soldiers. Not sure :/ I think that the way a match goes is decided by where you place units in the early stages. If you are aggressive, no turtleing. Opposite vice versa.
It would certainly get rid of those annoying armies of bombshells. However, triple mobi would then be very hard to pull off. Especially on one spawn maps.
I don't think it's such a good idea.

[EkoFox]

I think it could be useful, but it needs more testing and thought In it.

[TheGreatErenan]

(02-21-2013 08:09 AM)connor34911 Wrote:  Its a decent but it could actually encourage turtling. Say I get a unit advantage at the beginning of the game then decide that instead of attacking, I just bleed out my opponent by letting the spawns time out while picking a few units off at a time. When I finally engage I have a big advantage.

That's an excellent point, and I think you're right. I hadn't thought of that.

(02-21-2013 08:11 AM)Wildtalon1851 Wrote:  Twenty eight spawns only allows for fourteen soldiers...

Yeah, twenty-eight was only an example number to illustrate what I meant. Without testing, there's no way to find a "sweet spot" number for something like that. In any case, I don't really favor the wit-based model but the simpler "you get X number of spawns per spawn space, regardless of what unit types are spawned" model. Of course, given what conner34911 said above, I think I favor the game as it is now, anyway.

[TheGoldenGriffin]

Add "death timer" that counts the turns till "sudden death" which makes players unable to spawn units. After a certain number of turns (like 30), "sudden death" happens and it lasts a few turns (like 4) and after "sudden death" is over, the "death timer" resets.

Of course, this could be switched on only in friendly because it might not fair in league play.

Also, this could backfire because players could save up units to prepare for "sudden death" and cause more turtling.

[Wildt4lon]

What if sudden death was random? That would be lethal if you attacked at the same time as sudden death on your opponent.

[TheGreatErenan]

In general the consensus seems to be that randomness being a part of Outwitters would be a bad thing.

[ElPared]

limiting spawns would just make you lose harder and more often. If you're losing, and also running low on spawns, the unit cap will screw you out of a comeback.

I think that spawns are already limited enough as it is since you only get one unit per spawn space per turn