Jordan Brown - Game Design Documentation Samples

What is Defend?

Defend is a default action available to all Mechs that the player interacts with in the game. Some Mechs, such as Aurelio’s starting mech, have alternative versions of Defend that function differently.

Functions Within the Design

• Allow the player to take an action that allows them to end a Mech’s turn without dealing damage to enemies, moving, or using an Activated Ability that costs Clarity
• Allow the player to take an action to generate Clarity without moving or using a Laser or Ballistic Attack.
• Allow the player to take a defensive position during a Mech’s turn, such as holding a strategic position or protecting an area or objective from enemy assault.

What does Defend do?

When the player uses the Defend action, that Mech's turn automatically ends. If the Mech that used the Defend action is attacked by an enemy before their next turn with both Laser and Ballistic damage, that incoming damage is reduced by a percentage determined by a formula that uses the defending Mech’s Defense and Speed stats. After a Mech takes the Defend action, they receive some amount of Clarity depending on what Mech Core they have. The Defend action nullifies ALL sources of incoming Mech and Pilot health damage, including damage from enemy Ballistic and Laser attacks and enemy abilities. The following spreadsheet illustrates how the percentage of incoming damage that is nullified after using the Defend action is calculated.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EYA9-vuoLiyaSwOOpzrvrV88dkb5HjVu57tyxLpGqoY/edit?usp=sharing

Progression Notes

The player can improve the effectiveness of a Mech’s defense action by upgrading the Mech’s Defense and Speed stats. In the formula that determines the percent of damage nullified after using the Defend action, the Defense stat is twice as valuable as the Speed stat.