Underlair features a co-op mode that allows up to 3 players to explore the
world of Underlair via an online connection. With a maximum party of 6
characters per session, each player will control an equal amount of
characters. For a 2 player co-op game, each player will control a blob
of 3 characters while in a 3 player co-op game, each player will
control a blob of 2 characters. The main difference between a
single-player game and a co-op one is exactly this - controllable characters
are split among players.
The term blob means that characters
will be handled as a single entity - while the player can control the actions
of each character within a blob independently , they will always move in
the world as one. They can still move independently in the game's tactics grid
and can be independently be targeted for damage as well.
Co-op Combat
Players will explore the world of Underlair in real-time but combats will
always unfold in turn-based mode. If players are far away from each other and
one of them enters combat mode, that one player will be locked in turn-based
mode until the combat is resolved. The remaining players can join that battle
at any time but approaching the combat area within a certain number of tiles - this will then also lock them into turn-based combat mode.
Combat order is dictated by the initiative of each controllable and
non-controllable character. This means that, for example, player one
can play one character and then have an opponent play next and then
returning to the player's second character or to
another player's character. If the player decides to move the current
character being controlled, it will affect all other character's in his blob.
Combats also have a time limit when in co-op mode. This prevents
players from stretching too far away and alone in the wilderness giving them
the possibility of waiting indefinitely for the aid of the other players. The
time limit is still been decided but I'm aiming to 15-20 seconds. If a
lonely player gets jumped by opponents the best thing he can do is letting the
time limit run out while waiting for other players to help him. Alternatively,
don't venture to explore the world solo.
