Add new profession proposals document (#4900)

2026-07-28 22:35:42 +00:00 · 2026-01-28 17:19:05 -08:00
parent 558b2e54d6
commit 7bef82a419
1 changed files with 103 additions and 0 deletions
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+# New Profession Proposals
+
+This document proposes 5 new hero professions for Eagle0. Each profession has abilities for both the Eagle (strategic) and Shardok (tactical) game layers.
+
+## Current Professions Reference
+
+| Profession | Eagle Ability | Shardok Abilities |
+|------------|---------------|-------------------|
+| **Mage** | Control Weather | Lightning Bolt, Meteor, Freeze Water, Start Fire (enhanced) |
+| **Necromancer** | Start Epidemic | Raise Dead, Fear |
+| **Engineer** | (general) | Repair, Fortify, Build Bridge, Reduce (siege) |
+| **Paladin** | Alms (prioritized) | Holy Wave |
+| **Ranger** | Recon | Scout, Hide (enhanced), Brave Water (enhanced) |
+| **Champion** | (general) | Challenge Duel |
+
+---
+
+## Proposed New Professions
+
+### 1. HERALD (Morale & Communication Specialist)
+
+**Fantasy:** The inspiring leader who rallies troops and carries messages across the battlefield.
+
+**Eagle Ability: "Rally Province"**
+- Spend vigor to boost recruitment in a province for one turn, or reduce unrest
+- Synergy: Pairs well with provinces in turmoil or after losses
+
+**Shardok Ability: "Inspire"**
+- Target friendly unit within 3 hexes gains +1 action point this turn
+- Creates interesting tactical choices about when to act vs. when to buff allies
+- Cannot target self (prevents simple optimization)
+
+---
+
+### 2. ALCHEMIST (Fire & Transformation Specialist)
+
+**Fantasy:** The mad scientist who manipulates the elements through science, not magic.
+
+**Eagle Ability: "Transmute"**
+- Convert one resource type to another in a province (gold to food or vice versa, at a loss)
+- Provides economic flexibility during shortages
+
+**Shardok Ability: "Wildfire"**
+- Start a fire that spreads to 2 additional adjacent hexes immediately (not just at end of round)
+- More aggressive than Mage's Start Fire but less controlled
+- Cannot freeze water (that's magic, not science)
+
+---
+
+### 3. WARDEN (Defensive Specialist)
+
+**Fantasy:** The stalwart defender who holds the line and protects allies.
+
+**Eagle Ability: "Garrison"**
+- A province with a Warden-led unit gets +1 to defense when attacked
+- Encourages strategic placement of defensive heroes
+
+**Shardok Ability: "Intercept"**
+- Once per turn, when an adjacent friendly unit is attacked, the Warden's unit can take the hit instead
+- Creates a "bodyguard" mechanic that protects valuable units
+- Costs action points to maintain readiness
+
+---
+
+### 4. INQUISITOR (Anti-Magic & Intelligence)
+
+**Fantasy:** The witch-hunter who counters supernatural threats and uncovers secrets.
+
+**Eagle Ability: "Expose"**
+- Reveal hidden information about enemy heroes in a province (stats, profession, vigor)
+- Counter to Ranger's stealth/recon advantages
+
+**Shardok Ability: "Dispel"**
+- Cancel an active magical effect: stop a meteor cast, remove Fear from friendly unit, or reveal a hidden unit
+- Direct counter to Mage and Necromancer abilities
+- Creates meaningful profession rock-paper-scissors
+
+---
+
+### 5. BEASTMASTER (Animal Control)
+
+**Fantasy:** The wild one who commands beasts and understands nature's fury.
+
+**Eagle Ability: "Suppress Beasts" (Enhanced)**
+- Already exists in game, but Beastmaster does it at reduced vigor cost
+- Additionally: Can redirect beast attacks to enemy provinces instead of just suppressing
+
+**Shardok Ability: "Beast Call"**
+- Summon a wolf pack (weak undead-style unit) that attacks the nearest enemy
+- Wolves act immediately but disappear at end of round
+- Provides disposable units for screening or harassing archers
+
+---
+
+## Design Philosophy
+
+These professions were designed to:
+
+1. **Fill mechanical gaps**: Warden provides defensive depth, Inquisitor counters magic-heavy strategies
+2. **Create counterplay**: Inquisitor vs Mage/Necromancer, Beastmaster vs Rangers (nature vs nature)
+3. **Avoid overlap**: Each has a unique niche not covered by existing professions
+4. **Support both layers**: Each ability is meaningful in its respective game mode
+5. **Enable interesting decisions**: Intercept creates bodyguard tactics, Inspire creates action economy choices