We continue to share new features in preparation for the release. This time we'll talk about working on magic wands, tools that will allow any hero to cast spells without using magic.
The wand gives players the opportunity to take a variable approach to destroying an opponent – for example, to avoid close combat with a stronger opponent or to inflict damage with a spell of the elements to which the enemy is most susceptible. At the same time, wands can be extremely useful for heroes without magical abilities or for more experienced magicians, allowing them to save mana on more powerful spells.
The legacy of the classics
In the original Might and Magic series, the wands were a unique mechanism in part 6. They allowed you to cast spells without the appropriate skills and mana costs. To do this, it was enough to take the wand in your hand as a weapon — each use consumed one charge, and after complete exhaustion, the wand disappeared. A common tactic was to sell an almost empty wand, as its price did not depend on the remaining charges.
From a consumable to a reusable tool
We're building on this idea by turning wands from disposable items into a strategic asset that grows in value with your character. In the update, we have added three types of wands out of the five planned:
· The Witch's Wand
· The Shaman's Wand
· The Wand of the Sorcerer
We are moving away from the concept of single use. In Strings of Fate, when the power points are depleted, the wand does not disappear and can restore the charge with a spell. In the future, we plan to be able to recharge the wands using special "charging stations" that the heroes will encounter from time to time. You will be able to interact with it as with an altar – for a donation or gold, you can breathe power into the wand. You can also recharge the wand with a special spell from the school of water, as it was in part 8 of the cult saga. The effectiveness of the staff's recharge is directly related to the character's leveling. Your skill level in the appropriate school of magic will affect the number of charges that can be restored with the spell.
The future of Wands
In the future, we plan to add magic wands with a higher damage level and expand the number of spells available. Right now, wands can only be randomly found in the world, but in the future there will be a store where you can buy them. The cost of the wands will also change depending on the number of remaining charges. In the latest update, the wands can't be recharged yet – they won't disappear. They can be saved until it is possible to restore their charge level again.
Wanderers of Lithia, what do you think? How do you like the new magic weapon?