Difference between revisions of "Achilles' Heels"
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Three main ways that attacks against Achilles' Heels can affect enemies are: through simply modifying the Damage, through having a special effect (for example stunning or confusing), or through being the only way to cause Damage at all. The two latter can be seen as forms of Privileged Actions. When anyone can attack the Achilles Heel, the only thing required is information about the Achilles Heel, while, if only some players can attack it, the weak point can create the need to fulfill Gain Competence goals or acquire the right Tools. Players can gain awareness of Achilles' Heels through the development of the Narrative Structure, through Clues and Traces in the area the enemy inhabits, or through Experimenting when fighting the enemy. Gaining this information can be a Gain Information goal and Supporting Goal when part of the Narrative Structure, which may in turn require other Supporting Goals to actually be able to use the information, if the Achilles Heel requires a specific form of Tool. Public Information about Achilles' Heels can be used to set the Right Level of Difficulty to a lower level. | Three main ways that attacks against Achilles' Heels can affect enemies are: through simply modifying the Damage, through having a special effect (for example stunning or confusing), or through being the only way to cause Damage at all. The two latter can be seen as forms of Privileged Actions. When anyone can attack the Achilles Heel, the only thing required is information about the Achilles Heel, while, if only some players can attack it, the weak point can create the need to fulfill Gain Competence goals or acquire the right Tools. Players can gain awareness of Achilles' Heels through the development of the Narrative Structure, through Clues and Traces in the area the enemy inhabits, or through Experimenting when fighting the enemy. Gaining this information can be a Gain Information goal and Supporting Goal when part of the Narrative Structure, which may in turn require other Supporting Goals to actually be able to use the information, if the Achilles Heel requires a specific form of Tool. Public Information about Achilles' Heels can be used to set the Right Level of Difficulty to a lower level. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Can Be Instantiated By === | ||
| + | [[Invulnerabilities]] together with [[Vulnerabilities]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
| + | [[Clues]], | ||
| + | [[Cutscenes]], | ||
| + | [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]], | ||
| + | [[Tools]] | ||
=== Diegetic Aspects === | === Diegetic Aspects === | ||
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== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
The presence of Achilles' Heels is a form of Strategic Knowledge that players can use in Combat. This can be used to provide the Right Level of Difficulty and can motivate Gain Information and Puzzle Solving if the Achilles Heel is not Public Information. As Achilles Heels often require unique forms of attack or more specific uses of ordinary actions, having to perform them gives Varied Gameplay. | The presence of Achilles' Heels is a form of Strategic Knowledge that players can use in Combat. This can be used to provide the Right Level of Difficulty and can motivate Gain Information and Puzzle Solving if the Achilles Heel is not Public Information. As Achilles Heels often require unique forms of attack or more specific uses of ordinary actions, having to perform them gives Varied Gameplay. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Can Instantiate === | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | In the case of [[Enemies]] that have [[Achilles' Heels]], these provide [[Challenging Gameplay]] in that they require players to identify a specific [[Vulnerabilities|Vulnerability]] in otherwise invulnerable opponents. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Puzzle Solving]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== with [[Enemies]] ==== | ||
| + | [[Experimenting]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== with [[Powers]] or [[Weapons]] ==== | ||
| + | [[Strategic Knowledge]], | ||
| + | [[Strategic Planning]], | ||
| + | [[Tactical Planning]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Can Modulate === | ||
| + | [[Avatars]], | ||
| + | [[Boss Monsters]], | ||
| + | [[Characters]], | ||
| + | [[Combat]], | ||
| + | [[Damage]], | ||
| + | [[Enemies]], | ||
| + | [[Invulnerabilities]], | ||
| + | [[Powers]], | ||
| + | [[Weapons]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Potentially Conflicting With === | ||
| + | [[Invulnerabilities]] | ||
== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
Revision as of 09:33, 21 July 2011
A special weakness that can be exploited to cause defeats easier than can be done by using the other means available.
This pattern is a still a stub.
Many of the more difficult enemies in games can more easily, or in some cases only, be defeated by a special form of attack. These kinds of enemies have an Achilles Heel, a special weakness that players can use to their advantage if they can locate it or gain knowledge about it.
Contents
Examples
the final monster in Half-Life can only be damaged by first hitting a special area.
boss monsters in games such as Zelda or Super Mario Sunshine usually can only be defeated by special actions, such as grabbing hold of the enemies' tail and spinning around rapidly or hitting the enemies' so that it shows a vulnerable spot and then hitting that spot.
many monsters in roleplaying games can only be damaged by certain weapons, for example silver or magic weapons. This kind of vulnerability can be seen as a kind of Achilles Heel even though it is not defined by a specific area but by a specific type of attack.
Using the pattern
Achilles' Heels are most commonly used to make Boss Monsters easier to Overcome. The two main design choices regarding Achilles' Heels are their effects related to normal attacks, what is required to attack the weak point, and how players become aware of the Achilles' Heels.
Three main ways that attacks against Achilles' Heels can affect enemies are: through simply modifying the Damage, through having a special effect (for example stunning or confusing), or through being the only way to cause Damage at all. The two latter can be seen as forms of Privileged Actions. When anyone can attack the Achilles Heel, the only thing required is information about the Achilles Heel, while, if only some players can attack it, the weak point can create the need to fulfill Gain Competence goals or acquire the right Tools. Players can gain awareness of Achilles' Heels through the development of the Narrative Structure, through Clues and Traces in the area the enemy inhabits, or through Experimenting when fighting the enemy. Gaining this information can be a Gain Information goal and Supporting Goal when part of the Narrative Structure, which may in turn require other Supporting Goals to actually be able to use the information, if the Achilles Heel requires a specific form of Tool. Public Information about Achilles' Heels can be used to set the Right Level of Difficulty to a lower level.
Can Be Instantiated By
Invulnerabilities together with Vulnerabilities
Can Be Modulated By
Clues, Cutscenes, Diegetically Outstanding Features, Tools
Diegetic Aspects
Interface Aspects
Narrative Aspects
Consequences
The presence of Achilles' Heels is a form of Strategic Knowledge that players can use in Combat. This can be used to provide the Right Level of Difficulty and can motivate Gain Information and Puzzle Solving if the Achilles Heel is not Public Information. As Achilles Heels often require unique forms of attack or more specific uses of ordinary actions, having to perform them gives Varied Gameplay.
Can Instantiate
In the case of Enemies that have Achilles' Heels, these provide Challenging Gameplay in that they require players to identify a specific Vulnerability in otherwise invulnerable opponents.
with Enemies
with Powers or Weapons
Strategic Knowledge, Strategic Planning, Tactical Planning
Can Modulate
Avatars, Boss Monsters, Characters, Combat, Damage, Enemies, Invulnerabilities, Powers, Weapons
Potentially Conflicting With
Relations
Can Instantiate
Challenging Gameplay, Puzzle Solving
with Enemies
with Powers or Weapons
Strategic Knowledge, Strategic Planning, Tactical Planning
Can Modulate
Avatars, Boss Monsters, Characters, Combat, Damage, Enemies, Invulnerabilities, Powers, Weapons
Can Be Instantiated By
Invulnerabilities together with Vulnerabilities
Can Be Modulated By
Clues, Cutscenes, Diegetically Outstanding Features, Tools
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
History
An updated version of the pattern Achilles' Heels that was part of the original collection in the book Patterns in Game Design[1].
References
- ↑ Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.
Acknowledgements
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