Wasteland 3 is steadily approaching its August 28 release date. In preparation for the winter wasteland turned based RPG, lead designer David Rogers released the first developer diary for Wasteland 3. The primary update is the important character creator that will greatly influence the rest of the game. The first and simplest feature is Character Duos which are pre-built characters that compliment each other. Along with natural team synergy the pre-built characters have unique dialogue that is specific for that collection team, and can only be heard with all of them. Of course, players can create unique characters, with unique faces, backstories, skills, and weaknesses.
Stat heavy options are available for character creator with attributes. The pros and cons of stats are much more clarified, such as weak characters have less health and cannot throw grenades as far. Perks are making a comeback in Wasteland 3, now being called “quirks”. Quirks offer a powerful bonus but will carry an equally powerful con. Fro example, the perk Death Wish grants extra action points but characters cannot use armor. Pyromaniacs do additional elemental damage, but risk self-combustion when using a grenade or rocket launcher.
Lead designer David Rogers, even hinted at some powerful character builds. Combining the quirk Death Wish paired with increased speed along with a bladed weapon gives a character with extremely far range and capable of devastating enemies before they are completely set. This build is also a glass cannon and probably will not survive the third turn, needing a revive from a medic before they can continue.
New to Wasteland 3 is the combo meter. The combo meter is built up from melee and brawler style characters landing successful hits. Landed hits stack damage and increasing critical damage. The combo meter can increase by a higher brawling skill or higher intelligence, and this offsets the character’s generally weaker start at the opening segments of the game.
Lead designer David Rogers emphases the need for team diversity. He warns against using jack of all trade characters and specialize all six characters. He also reminds players to not use a single ammunition as ammunition is scarce in the wastes.
The biggest change to the combat is that enemy and player turns are no longer inter leveled with each other. Now the player and the enemy will have distinct turns such as in XCOM.