[Freeciv] Re: Exp points instead of Veteran status

["Nathan Gundlach" <dagchess@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marco Colombo" <marco@xxxxxx>
To: "Nathan Gundlach" <dagchess@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <freeciv@xxxxxxxxxxx>; <freeciv-dev@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2000 2:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Freeciv] Exp points instead of Veteran status


> On Tue, 29 Aug 2000, Nathan Gundlach wrote:
>
> [line wrap mine]
> > Hi Fellow FreeCivers!
> >
> > I have an idea for improving the FreeCiv battle system. Why not have
> > exp points instead of veteran status? For each battle the unit is
involved
> > in, it gains so many exp points based on the quality of the enemy.
Maybe,
> > when it gets so many, its stats go up! In any case, each unit could
start
> > with 100, and, say, gain 5 for each victory over a roughly equal
opponent,
> > and then, say, 105 x stats vs. the next opponent at 100 x stats. Just
> > something to think about, and the numbers are rough!
> >
> > -- Nathan
> >
> >
> > I like the "over a roughly equal opponent" part. I think now a strong
unit
> > can get veteran status against a "cheap" one. This increases the
advantage
> > of more advanced (in mil) civs. But it's not very realistic (veterans
are
> > better because they learned how to fight "the hard" way... a cheap
> > victory shouldn't give any chance to get veteran status). But I think
> > it's hard to implement this way. Think of a riflemen unit successfully
> > defend against 10 phalanx... they deserve to become veterans! B-)
> >
> > A simple way to implement experience is to have xps somewhat related
> > to the hps they loose in a battle. So it's comes natural that
> > the harder are the battles you fight, the more experienced you get.
> >
> > If I understand well, the code in the end of
unitfunc.c:unit_versus_unit()
> >
> >    if (attacker->hp)
> >     maybe_make_veteran(attacker);
> >    else if (defender->hp)
> >     maybe_make_veteran(defender);
> >
> > doesn't take into account the relative power of units. B-)
> > Focusing just on hp, you consider all terrain / walls / etc.
modifications
> > (again, riflemen that attack a phalanx behind a city wall and succeed,
> > are likely to get some big damage, so the get more xp).
>
> Maybe instead of:
>
>    defender->hp -= attack_firepower * game.firepower_factor;
>
> could be:
>
>    unit_update_stats(defender, attack_firepower * game.firepower_factor);
>
> which updates both hps and xps of the unit (the same for attacker, of
course).
> But I'll leave this to real developers... it's the first time I look at
> the source... (but i've cc:ed the mail to freeciv-dev, sorry for the
> crossposting...).
>
> BTW, I like xps also for naval battles... survivals may be experienced,
but
> also are damaged and slow, and my need excort to make it to the near
> friendly city. Right now, it makes sense to excort them only if they've
> acquired veteran status, and you know that at once.
>
> Of course 'experience' vs. 'veteran status' should be a server options
> at least...
>
> .TM.

Right! Plus, it's better if, the more battles are won, the more exp the unit
has.