Hello!
It is Oleksandr from Starni Games with the second Dev log entry. Today, I will tell you more about how the attacks work in Headquarters: World War II and how randomness is implemented in the game.
Why invent a new system with 4 hit types?
On the very first days of preproduction - around two years ago - we asked ourselves a very important question: how do we approach the randomness of a battle?
One approach that could be seen in other wargames would be to make an attack either hit (and destroy a tank) or miss (and deal 0 damage) with certain chances. That means that the difference between the two outcomes is extremely stark. In this scenario, if you have a 10% chance to miss and you miss, and after that, your opponent hits and kills your tank - that is truly nerve racking. So, we wanted to preserve the unpredictability of battle, but make it less severe.
Another approach would be to deal an X amount of damage with each attack, with no “miss” chance, and will require a number of attacks to take out an enemy unit. This approach did not fit the tactical-level WWII game well, as oftentimes a single tank could be taken out with one or two good hits.
So, we tried to come up with the approach that fits this type of tactical game best in our opinion. It allows us to both show the unpredictability of battle, but also avoid the combat results being decided by a “coin toss”.
How do 4 hits types work?
In Headquarters, we have 4 hit types: Bull’s eye (a perfect hit), Hit (a good hit), Graze (a slight hit), and Miss. The higher your accuracy - the better your odds of having better hit outcomes. The final accuracy (after all bonuses and penalties) could be between 0 and 200, and if it is above 80 - your miss chance would be 0. This way if the situation is favorable - your attack would never miss. If however, your odds are not great, you could miss, but there is also a lot in-between Bull’s eye and Miss, so multiple outcomes are possible. At low accuracy values, you have Bull’s eye chance at 0, and at high accuracy values, you have the Miss chance at 0.
How much damage every hit type does?
Bull’s eye - Damage x3
Hit - Damage x2
Graze - Damage x1
Miss - Damage = 0
The base amount of damage dealt depends on the attack and defense values of the units. So, this is where the armor and unit facing from Dev log 1 comes into play. If you attack the Front armor of a heavy tank, your damage would likely be 0, so even if you hit Bull’s eye, you would still deal 0 damage and that would be called Deflected attack.
Is the damage also random?
Unlike the hit type that is decided by random (based on probabilities you have according to your accuracy), your damage is not random and you can see exactly how much damage would every hit type deal in the combat prediction window before the attack.
Are there any other elements of random?
From the early stages of development, we wanted to avoid randomness in many aspects of the game, so there are no random effects, random spotting, or other stuff like that - we wanted the tactical talent to be the key to victory. So, deciding which hit type your unit lands is the only random element at play - and you could control it to a degree by adjusting your position and getting a better accuracy value.
How does Morale help control randomness?
There is also a way to counter your units being “unlucky” which is the Morale mechanic. Every time you attack the enemy unit it losses some of its Morale. The amount lost depends on the Damage modifier, but not on the hit type. So, whether you land a Bull’s eye or a Miss the Morale loss would be the same. This means even if you miss a lot of attacks you could Demoralize the enemy unit with constant bombardment and eventually rout it.
How is the cover mechanic implemented in the game?
There are 3 types of cover: low, medium, and high. However, not all units can take advantage of it. All units have a certain profile - low, medium, or high. So, a unit with a high Profile, for example, a Tiger tank, cannot hide behind a low cover and does not get any bonuses from it. Infantry, on the other hand, has a low Profile and can take advantage of all types of cover.
Coming up next
In the next Dev log, I will focus more on the interaction with the terrain and destructible buildings, as well as our approach to the visual style of the game. I will tell you more about:
- Highly realistic graphics
- Different types of terrain and interaction with them
- Buildings and their destruction
- Destructible environment
- Elevated terrain (Hills)
- Line of fire
See you next time!
Dev log #2 - “The element of randomness - a curse and a blessing”
Headquarters World War II is a fast-paced turn-based strategy game where your battlefield tactics are as important as your army management skills. Experience both sides of the war, battling in Europe as the USA, the UK, or Germany.
Re: Dev log #2 - “The element of randomness - a curse and a blessing”
Good decision about the core mechanics, at least it seems so. The combat should be more about positioning decision making and planning, than just lucky turns of events. Of course there is always the chance of running into a silly series of grazes, but great to see the devs are aware of this and actively try to prevent it from the very beginning. This bodes well for the gameplay itself.
As for the screens, I do not mean to be nitpicking, but the vehicles seems to be jumping around just that tiny bit too much after firing, which makes the visual feedback excessive.
As for the screens, I do not mean to be nitpicking, but the vehicles seems to be jumping around just that tiny bit too much after firing, which makes the visual feedback excessive.
Return to “Headquarters World War II”
Jump to
- Announcements & General Discussion
- ↳ News & Announcements
- ↳ General Discussion
- ↳ Game Ideas
- ↳ Archive
- ↳ Slitherine/Matrix Press Event 2012 - The Home of Wargamers
- ↳ Blogs
- ↳ Deadliest Warrior on Spike TV
- ↳ Military Art
- ↳ Shenandoah General Discussion Forum
- ↳ Shenandoah Studio Website
- ↳ Gettysburg: The Tide Turns
- ↳ Gettysburg: The Tide Turns - Technical Support
- ↳ Gettysburg: The Tide Turns - After Action Reports (AAR)
- ↳ Battle of the Bulge
- ↳ Battle of the Bulge: Tech Support
- ↳ Drive On Moscow
- ↳ Drive on Moscow iPad
- ↳ Desert Fox: The Battle of El Alamein
- Regional
- ↳ Español
- Coming Soon
- ↳ Field of Glory: Kingdoms
- ↳ ICBM: Escalation
- ↳ ICBM: Escalation Tech Support
- ↳ Ancient Arenas: Chariots
- ↳ Scramble: Battle of Britain
- ↳ Broken Arrow
- Latest Releases
- ↳ Headquarters World War II
- ↳ Panzer Corps 2
- ↳ Panzer Corps 2: Tech Support
- ↳ Panzer Corps 2 Scenario Design
- ↳ Panzer Corps 2: Multiplayer & Tournaments
- ↳ Panzer Corps 2 AARs
- ↳ Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance
- ↳ Stargate: Timekeepers
- ↳ Stargate: Timekeepers - Tech Support
- ↳ Starship Troopers - Terran Command
- ↳ Master of Magic
- ↳ Field of Glory II
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Tech Support
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Scenario Design
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Modding
- ↳ Field of Glory II: After Action Reports
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Tournaments & Leagues
- ↳ Field of Glory II Digital League
- ↳ Knock-out Tournament
- ↳ Field of Glory II: The Divisional Championships
- ↳ FOG II World Team Championship
- ↳ Archive
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Frequently Asked Questions
- ↳ The FOGII Beta Archives
- ↳ Field of Glory II 1.5.15 Public Beta
- ↳ Field of Glory II 1.5.20 Public Beta
- ↳ Field of Glory II 1.5.22 Public Beta
- ↳ Field of Glory II - 1.5.24 Open Beta
- ↳ Field of Glory II - 1.5.26 Open Beta
- ↳ Field of Glory II - 1.5.27 Open Beta
- ↳ Field of Glory II - 1.5.29 Open Beta
- ↳ Field of Glory II - 1.5.31 Open Beta
- ↳ Field of Glory II - Open Beta 1.5.33
- ↳ Field of Glory II - Open Beta 1.5.37
- ↳ Field of Glory II Open Beta v.1.5.39
- ↳ Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector
- ↳ Planetary Supremacy
- ↳ Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War
- ↳ Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War: Tech Support
- ↳ Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War: Modding
- ↳ Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War: Suggestions
- ↳ Master of Magic Classic
- ↳ Master of Magic: Tech Support
- ↳ Caster of Magic
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Medieval
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Medieval Tech Support
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Medieval - Scenario Design
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Medieval - Modding
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Medieval - After Action Reports
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Medieval - Tournaments & Leagues
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Medieval - Frequently Asked Questions
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Medieval Beta Archives
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Medieval - Open Beta v.1.5.7
- ↳ Field of Glory II: Medieval - Open Beta
- ↳ Order of Battle Series
- ↳ Order of Battle : World War II - Tech Support
- ↳ Order of Battle Bug Submissions
- ↳ Order of Battle : World War II - AAR
- ↳ Order of Battle : World War II - Scenario Design
- ↳ Order of Battle : World War II - Multiplayer
- ↳ Multiplayer Beta
- ↳ Fantasy General II - Invasion
- ↳ Fantasy General II - Invasion: Tech Support
- ↳ Content Editor
- ↳ Fantasy General II - Beta Archive
- ↳ ICBM
- ↳ ICBM:Tech Support
- ↳ ICBM:Features you would like to see
- ↳ Stirring Abyss
- ↳ Battlestar Galactica Deadlock
- ↳ Battlestar Galactica Deadlock: Tech Support
- ↳ Shadow Empire
- ↳ Field of Glory: Empires
- ↳ Dev Diaries
- ↳ Field of Glory: Empires - Tech Support
- ↳ MOD
- ↳ AAR
- ↳ Field of Glory: Empires Beta Archive
- ↳ FOG Empires Open Beta v.1.3.5
- ↳ Diplomacy Open Beta
- ↳ Command: Modern Operations
- ↳ Astra Exodus
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Afghanistan '11
- ↳ Afghanistan '11: Tech Support
- ↳ Strategic Command WWI
- ↳ Armored Brigade
- ↳ WarPlan
- ↳ Close Combat: The Bloody First
- ↳ Empires Apart
- ↳ Empires Apart PBEM
- ↳ Strategic Command WWII: World at War
- ↳ Aggressors: Ancient Rome
- ↳ Aggressors: Tech Support
- ↳ Aggressors Modding
- ↳ Aggressors AARs
- ↳ Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach
- ↳ Sanctus Reach After Action Reports (AAR)
- ↳ Sanctus Reach Mods and Scenario Design
- ↳ Sanctus Reach Opponents Wanted
- ↳ Sanctus Reach Tech Support
- ↳ March to Glory
- ↳ Tech Support: March to Glory
- ↳ The Operational Art of War IV
- ↳ Check Your 6!
- ↳ Check Your 6!: Tech Support
- ↳ Polaris Sector
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Modders Corner
- ↳ Mare Nostrvm
- ↳ Gettysburg: The Tide Turns
- ↳ Warhammer® 40,000® Armageddon™
- ↳ Warhammer AAR
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Mods and Scenario Design
- ↳ Warhammer Open Beta
- ↳ Carrier Deck
- ↳ Carrier Deck: Tech Support
- ↳ Panzer Corps
- ↳ Panzer Corps Open Beta
- ↳ Panzer Corps Mac Open Beta
- ↳ Panzer Corps : Tech Support
- ↳ Panzer Corps : AAR's
- ↳ Panzer Corps : Scenario Design
- ↳ Panzer Corps 2
- ↳ Close Combat Series
- ↳ Close Combat : Tech Support
- ↳ Close Combat - Gateway to Caen
- ↳ Close Combat - Gateway to Caen : Tech Support
- ↳ Close Combat - Gateway to Caen - Match Making Forum
- ↳ Close Combat - Panthers in the Fog
- ↳ Close Combat - Match Making Forum
- ↳ Close Combat - Panthers in the Fog: Tech Support
- Classic Games A-Z
- ↳ Airstrike Eagles of WWII
- ↳ Airstrike : Tech Support
- ↳ Alea Jacta Est Series
- ↳ Alea Jacta Est Series : Tech Support
- ↳ Battle Academy
- ↳ Battle Academy : Open Beta
- ↳ Battle Academy : Tech Support
- ↳ Battle Academy : Modders Corner
- ↳ Battle of the Scheldt Beta
- ↳ Battle Academy : Scenario Design
- ↳ Battle Academy : Tournaments & Leagues
- ↳ Battle Academy 2 – Eastern Front
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Battle Academy 2: Modders Corner
- ↳ Battle Academy 2: Scenario Design
- ↳ Battle Academy 2: Tournaments & Leagues
- ↳ Battle Academy 2: AAR
- ↳ Battle of the Bulge
- ↳ Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager
- ↳ Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager : Tech Support
- ↳ Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager : Early Access Beta Forum
- ↳ Campaign Series: Middle East 1948 - 1985
- ↳ Chariots of War
- ↳ Civil War II
- ↳ Civil War II : Tech Support
- ↳ Civil War II : AAR's
- ↳ Command - Modern Air/Naval Operations
- ↳ Commander - Napoleon at War
- ↳ Commander - Napoleon at War : Tech Support
- ↳ Commander - The Great War
- ↳ Commander - The Great War: Tech Support
- ↳ Commander The Great War AAR's
- ↳ Commander the Great War : Mods & Scenario Design
- ↳ Commander the Great War : Opponent Finder
- ↳ Conflict of Heroes
- ↳ Conflict of Heroes : Tech Support
- ↳ Conflict of Heroes : AAR's
- ↳ Match making forum
- ↳ Conquest!
- ↳ Conquest! : Tech Support
- ↳ Decisive Campaigns Series
- ↳ Distant Worlds Series
- ↳ Drive on Moscow
- ↳ Drums of War
- ↳ Drums of War : Tech Support
- ↳ Egypt - Engineering an Empire
- ↳ Egypt - Engineering an Empire : Tech Support
- ↳ España: 1936
- ↳ Fantasy Kommander – Eukarion Wars
- ↳ Fantasy Kommander – Eukarion Wars : Tech Support
- ↳ Field of Glory Digital
- ↳ Field of Glory : Tech Support
- ↳ Field of Glory : Scenario Design
- ↳ Field of Glory : Leagues & Tournaments & Seeking Opponents
- ↳ The FOG Digital League
- ↳ The Slitherine Trophy
- ↳ Field of Glory: League of Extraordinary Gentleman
- ↳ Field of Glory : AAR's
- ↳ FoG PC Beta
- ↳ Old Beta Test
- ↳ Bug Reports
- ↳ Field of Glory Campaigns
- ↳ Flashpoint campaigns: Red Storm
- ↳ Frontline Series
- ↳ Frontline Road to Moscow
- ↳ Frontline: Road to Moscow Tech Support
- ↳ Frontline: Road to Moscow Beta
- ↳ PC Beta
- ↳ Android Beta
- ↳ iOS Beta
- ↳ Frontline: The Longest Day
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Gary Grigsby's War in the East
- ↳ Gary Grigsby's War in the East : Tech Support
- ↳ Gary Grigsby’s War in the West
- ↳ Germany at War: Barbarossa 1941
- ↳ Germany at War: Barbarossa 1941 : Tech Support
- ↳ Germany at War: Barbarossa 1941 : AAR's
- ↳ Hannibal: Rome and Carthage
- ↳ Hannibal: Rome and Carthage - Tech Support
- ↳ Hell
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Heroes of Normandie
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Mods and Scenario Design
- ↳ HISTORY™ Great Battles Medieval
- ↳ HISTORY™ Great Battles Medieval : Tech Support
- ↳ HISTORY™ Great Battles Medieval : Modding
- ↳ HISTORY®: Legends of War
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Last Days of Old Earth
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Legion & Legion Gold
- ↳ Legion and Legion Gold: Tech Support
- ↳ Legion Arena & CoM
- ↳ Legions of Steel
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Lock 'n Load: Heroes of Stalingrad
- ↳ Lock 'n Load: Heroes of Stalingrad - Tech Support
- ↳ Magnifico - Da Vinci’s Art of War
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ MILITARY HISTORY™ Commander - Europe at War : General Discussion
- ↳ Commander - Europe at War : Tech Support
- ↳ Commander - Europe at War : Modders Corner
- ↳ Commander Europe at War : AAR's
- ↳ Commander Europe at War : Opponent Finder
- ↳ Commander Europe at War : GS Open Beta
- ↳ Napoleon's Campaigns
- ↳ Pandora - First Contact
- ↳ Pandora : Public Beta
- ↳ Pandora : Tech Support
- ↳ Pandora : Modders Corner
- ↳ Pike & Shot
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Scenario Design
- ↳ After Action Reports
- ↳ Modders Corner
- ↳ Opponents Wanted
- ↳ Pike & Shot : Tournaments & Leagues
- ↳ Piercing Fortress Europa
- ↳ Pride of Nations
- ↳ QVADRIGA
- ↳ QVADRIGA : Tech Support
- ↳ Ravenmark: Scourge of Estellion
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Revolution Under Siege Gold
- ↳ Rise of Prussia Gold
- ↳ Sengoku Jidai: Shadow of the Shogun
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Scenario Design
- ↳ Modders Corner
- ↳ After Action Reports
- ↳ Opponents Wanted
- ↳ Sengoku Jidai: Tournaments & Leagues
- ↳ Scourge of War Gettysburg
- ↳ Scourge of War Series : Tech Support
- ↳ Scourge of War: Waterloo
- ↳ Sovereignty
- ↳ Sovereignty: Tech Support
- ↳ Sovereignty: AAR
- ↳ Sovereignty: Modders Corner
- ↳ Spartan & Gates of Troy
- ↳ Star Hammer
- ↳ Star Hammer: Tech Support
- ↳ Star Hammer: Scenario Design
- ↳ Strategic Command: WWII War in Europe
- ↳ Strategic War in Europe
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Team Assault
- ↳ Match making forum
- ↳ Team Assault : Tech Support
- ↳ THE HISTORY CHANNEL™ Great Battles of Rome
- ↳ THE HISTORY CHANNEL Great Battles of Rome : Tech Support
- ↳ Thirty Years' War
- ↳ Tigers on the Hunt
- ↳ Time of Fury
- ↳ Time of Fury AAR's
- ↳ Time of Fury : Tech Support
- ↳ Time of Fury : Scenario Design & Modding
- ↳ Time of Fury : Open Beta
- ↳ To End All Wars
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Unity of Command
- ↳ Victory and Glory
- ↳ Vietnam '65
- ↳ Vietnam '65 - Tech Support
- ↳ Wars of Napoleon
- Online Ordering & Support
- ↳ Online Ordering & Support
- ↳ Site Feedback
- ↳ Invitation system support
- Tabletop Wargaming
- ↳ Field of Glory : Ancient & Medieval Era 3000 BC-1500 AD : General Discussion
- ↳ Rules Questions
- ↳ Scenarios, AAR's, Lists, Modelling and more
- ↳ Historical Scenarios
- ↳ Field of Glory AAR's
- ↳ Army Design
- ↳ Modelling
- ↳ Player Designed Lists
- ↳ Tournaments & Opponents
- ↳ Tournaments
- ↳ Opponent Finder
- ↳ Foreign Language Forums
- ↳ French Speaking Forum
- ↳ Spanish Speaking Forum
- ↳ Italian Speaking Forum
- ↳ German Speaking Forum
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ Field of Glory 3.0 Beta
- ↳ Marketplace
- ↳ Field of Glory : Napoleonic Era 1792-1815 : General Discussion
- ↳ Rules Questions
- ↳ Campaigns
- ↳ Scenarios, AAR's, Lists, Modelling and more
- ↳ Historical Scenarios, Maps, and Orders of Battle (OOB)
- ↳ FoGN After Action Reports (AAR)
- ↳ Army Design
- ↳ Player Designed Lists and Adaptions
- ↳ Modelling/Gallery/Uniforms Questions
- ↳ Tournaments, Demos & Opponents
- ↳ FoGN Community: Opponent Finder, Clubs, Blogs, etc.
- ↳ Foreign Language Forums
- ↳ French Speaking Forum
- ↳ Spanish Speaking Forum
- ↳ Italian Speaking Forum
- ↳ German Speaking Forum
- ↳ Marketplace
- ↳ Field of Glory : Renaissance Wars : General Discussion
- ↳ Historical Scenarios
- ↳ Rules Questions
- ↳ After Action Reports (AAR's)
- ↳ Tournaments
- ↳ Army Design
- ↳ Player Designed Lists
- ↳ Modelling
- ↳ Campaigns
- ↳ Opponent Finder
- ↳ FOGR Update
- ↳ Marketplace
- ↳ Field of Glory : Swords & Sorcery : General Discussion
- ↳ Marketplace
- ↳ Flashpoint campaigns: Red Storm : Tech Support
- ↳ HISTORY™ Ice Road Truckers
- ↳ HISTORY™ Great Empires: Rome
- ↳ HORRIBLE HISTORIES™ Ruthless Romans
- ↳ The Tudors
- ↳ Command - Modern Air/Naval Operations : AAR's
- ↳ Command - Modern Air/Naval Operations : Tech Support
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ España: 1936 : Tech Support
- ↳ Piercing Fortress Europa: Tech Support
- ↳ Tech Support
- ↳ FoGR Lists
- Archive
- ↳ Gary Grisby’s World at War iPad