Movement units, attack animation

General Discussion
1

I would like to hear the opinion of the community about the movement and animation of units.
At one time I was very fond of Warcraft3, I played a lot of 1x1. After many years I tried again, but the only thing that began to confuse me was the uncoordinated movements of the units. Units stumble upon each other, stop, move in jerks, move along strange trajectories.
Also a slow attack animation, when a melee unit attacks on a moving unit, it stops, then attacks into the void.

By removing these shortcomings, there will be more opportunities for microcontrolling, which is so important in warcraft3, but it will be a different warcraft3

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2

This is the most important part in the pacing of the game and would actually make it completely different if touched. I also feel strange since I’m already used to SC2, but the flow of the game would be completely disrupted and the essence of it would be lost.

Just think about how pathetic Zealots are in SC2 without charge, no amount of (reasonable) stats buffs would make it feel right because the poor Zealot is in a world of Marines who can basically shoot while running in the opposite direction.

3

I believe this is a situation that, once again, was dictated by the technological possibilities rather than deliberate choice.
They have already stated that they will keep to the measurements of the old game, saying that if unit had an attack animation that consisted of 20 frames in SD Warcraft 3, that the HD version of that unit also would have an attack animation consisting of 20 frames. In that sense, they are now exploring how to make more detailed animations that are possible through these new tools that also fit within these 20 frames.

As far as the movement goes, I will have to say that that is inherently a consequence of the game’s design. Warcraft 3 is a game of implications. In a sense, it plays a lot more like a board game than a legitimate medieval battle simulator liek for example Total War when fighting a battle. The units are board pieces, and their animations are for the most part just flavourful detail as they are moved across the map. I feel like it will never reach a level of interaction between unit and map that will be satisfying to you.

4

Personally, I’d prefer these mechanics to be improved. Attack animations I think are fine, but movement, like you said, can be improved. Pathing and collision namely.

It will change gameplay, yes, but I think it’s worth it. With improved collision boxes you won’t be able to 4 unit surround, but can probably 5 unit surround. I’m not sure, but I think the games’s collision for units are actual squares, rather than circles, which is where a lot of the clunkiness comes from. changing these things would change the feel of the game a lot.

Yes hardcore players would be upset, and would have to learn things again, but I think it’s better in the long run. I’d like the see sweeping changes to the game, but it seems they’re not content on doing this. The only reason I see for keeping things identical would be if they released a Warcraft 4 a year after this game (not counting on it), but even then it wouldn’t be very compatible with Reforged.

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5

I think they should improve the attack animations, soldiers look like they can only chop wood. Also units don’t even flinch when attacked.

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6

I’m fine with animations being redone. Units currently move a bit strange but I’m not sure Blizzard will go that far.

7

The movement is fundamental to the game.

The way that units move is the key element that allows real skilled micro-management of units.

You can’t just click back and forth with units and expect them to behave perfectly, they have to be microed around eachother due to pathing.

I feel like I’m saying this to a lot of ideas lately but holy cow removing unit pathing and attack animations would literally ruin the game. :man_facepalming:

8

The way that units move is the key element that allows real skilled micro-management of units.

StarCraft 2 units move perfectly yet it doesn’t diminish the requirement for “real skilled micro-management”.

9

You’d love Brood War.

10

Yes, old players are accustomed to this behavior of units, but for new players it will look like a bug and scare them away from the game. I believe that the changes will make the game different, but it will be better.