I've been following this game on and off now for a 12 months or so.. and i've watched videos where the combat system looks different, in a few videos released near the start of the year there is 6 different buttons and like u can side-step and strafe but in the new vids there is only 5 (q123e) and there is no more strafing and that, which means the combat will be more static, and get hit/hitback .. which is a downer because i was really looking forward to out manouvering my opponents.

Anyhow can anyone explain to me why funcom has altered their combat system?

To be honest, we don't know yet.  They are still "fixing" it, thus the five month delay to March 25, 2008.  Expect details "soon".

Thanks for timely response i didn't hear that part, let's hope we hear good news soon

Originally posted by ValUkr

I've been following this game on and off now for a 12 months or so.. and i've watched videos where the combat system looks different, in a few videos released near the start of the year there is 6 different buttons and like u can side-step and strafe but in the new vids there is only 5 (q123e) and there is no more strafing and that, which means the combat will be more static, and get hit/hitback .. which is a downer because i was really looking forward to out manouvering my opponents.

Anyhow can anyone explain to me why funcom has altered their combat system?

Beta feedback leading up to the announced delay last August was the cause.

Side Step and Strafing are still in. The combat system in melee has evolved to a maximum of 5 directions now and 3 for other classes using melee such as a caster.

As a primary melee player you start of with 3 directional attack working your way up to 5.

So really if anything its less static but more free flowing. Out-manourvering the way you put across will be deemed most likely from your stamina pool. Same as jumping and running is based on Stamina. Although you have never been able to jump and swing at the same time, not allowing bunny hopping apparently.

About the delay and beta feed back is here: http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=36653

And also here: http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=36594

Exactly, just like I said, we don't know yet.  Thank you for the links Avery to the AoC forums on the topic.  While that is their idea on paper, until we see the new build @ gaming conventions next year with real players behind the controls and not the people who designed it, we don't know yet.  Anyway, the good news is that gaming conventions are only a few months away now.  Since I have a feeling I won't be in their beta yet as it is still extremely limited and the "veterans" as defined by Funcom are not in yet from the last Funcom said, I look forward to DragonCon and getting my hands on their new build.  IMHO (just like the last two delays I had the same feeling) after the first of the year Funcom will announce another delay until October or later in 2008. Remember, we have yet to see anything on a lot of systems in the game, crafting being one.

And remember, there is nothing wrong with delaying a game if you can make the game better before launch.

I personally seriously doubt the game will be delayed again as the reason for this last 6 month delay, making combat more accessible, has all but been done according to some recent interviews. They originally planned on having the changes done by Christmas, leaving several months for beta, and polishing, etc. We now know that general beta is well underway and doing good and that the combat changes are apparently all but complete. So yea, I seriously doubt there'll be another delay, and even if there is, I don't see it being anything beyond 'june 08.' Because any time after that and it'd be much later in the season. AAA games just don't come out in the summer months. At best it's extremely rare.

Now as to the conventions. Much of the combat changes were in for Leipzig GC, Dragoncon, etc, and feedback from those that tested them out on the floor was apparently 'fantastic.' Not to mention the game won numerous prestigious awards at said conventions.

Last there are some systems they haven't gone into yet. But they are getting fewer and fewer as we get through the months. There are only 4 months to go, but that means 4 more newsletters pre-release. Very recently Pharamond said on the main forums that the crafting system is something you'd expect to find in a monthly newsletter, not a friday update. That tells me, that it's gonna be in one coming up fairly soon. Especially since people have been asking for it. (Which is typical of a MMOG 4 months from launch.)

After we get crafting. What else do we really have thats a big reveal? Last months was the class advancement structures. Feats/skills/combos etc. Month before was end game PvP. Player cities was covered as far back as a year and a half ago. What else is left?

So yea, I don't see the game getting delayed again. The good news? That means you'll get to experience the combat sooner rather then later.

On topic, if you do have questions on how the combat has changed in the last 12 months, we do know quite a few details. It hasn't changed much, but there have been some important changes. So ask away :)