Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-31507215-20170616193507

''I know that bows of command have been mentioned at least once before, but I think that the details of my suggestion are still original. I will use the abbreviations "SoC", "ToC", and "HoC" for Sword of Command, Table of Command, and Horn of Command, respectively.''

In The Lord of the Rings, it is usually pretty plain that, (to a certain extent) when it comes to war, quality and strategy are better than sheer quantity. Unfortunately, this isn't very well carried into the mod. For gameplay purposes, most weapons have an equally good weapon on the enemy side, so quality is kind of ruled out. As for strategy, the way it tends to work (when it comes to a single player leading an NPC army) is more of a, "Follow me, and CHARGE!" mentality than an actual strategy. I know that actual, realistic strategy would probably be very hard to implement, and may never be implemented (understandably). Because of that, I am suggesting some (hopefully) simpler ways to add a little (more) strategy.

Horn of Command
The only change to the Horn of Command is that it would get a new function - Retreat. (I know that this has been suggested before, but I need it to work with this suggestion.) When a Retreat HoC is sounded, all hired NPCs assigned to that squadron would retreat to the player, or to a Strategy Point (see below).

Bow of Command
The first item that I am suggesting is the Bow of Command. (It does not have to be named that, but it works for now.)

Crafting
As with other command items, the Bow of Command would be crafted with Bronze.

Stats
Bows of Command would have unlimited durability, like SoCs. They would have 100% draw speed and 150% range, but arrows fired from the bow would do no damage.

Usage
As with the SoC, the Bow of Command would be almost useless as a weapon, because it would do no damage (aside from the basic when punching). Instead, it would be used to command your troops. If used on a ToC, you would be able to assign the Bow to a Squad, like with the other Command items. When an arrow is fired from the Bow of Command, (and once the arrow lands) all troops assigned to the same squadron as the bow would all move (or teleport) to the location where the arrow landed. This would allow you to spread out your troops around an area.

Strategy Points
The second item that I am suggesting the addition of is the Strategy Point. (Again, the name is not final.)

Crafting
Strategy Points (SPs) would be crafted with Bronze, Wool, and a stick. The recipe would yield two SPs.

Usage
To use an SP, you would first have to use it on a ToC. You would be able to attach it to a squadron, like other command items. You would also be able to choose whether it is a Rally Point marker or a Hold Ground marker. (I will talk about these later.) When the time comes for battle, you would want to place it, using right-click. When placed, SPs would look like banners, but with a few differences to tell them apart, such as the SP having a bronze base. Once placed, SPs would have certain effects on your hired troops, and would not be breakable by enemy players.

Rally Point Mode
When a placed SP is set to Rally Point mode, it has no immediate effects on your troops. Instead, it would require an HoC to have any effect. When an HoC set to Retreat is blown, all NPCs of the same squadron would move/teleport to the nearest Rally Point SP that is set to their squadron. This would allow you to pull your troops back to a certain location, instead of just having them come straight back to you.

Hold Ground Mode
A placed SP set to Hold Ground mode would have an area of influence, similar to those of Banners. An SP's AoI would probably only be about 5 or so blocks wide by default, but could be changed by right clicking on the SP. Any hired NPCs of the squadron the SP is attached to would, after walking into it the first time, stay in the SPs AoI, and would only come out if a Summon HoC was used. This would allow you to navigate a fight, without having your troops follow your every move.

Thanks for reading! Hopefully all of this made sense.

I am open to (constructive) criticism, as well as additions and improvements!

 