question about unit stats

[vtbrandon]

ok this is probably going to sound incredibly dumb but something ive always been wondering was the unit stats

when it says "Defense XX" and "Attack XX" does that mean when my unit is holding its ground it only uses the defense trait or does it mean that when it engages with another unit and my men are swinging their sword their using their attack value and when using their shields using their defense value?

for example armoured swordsmen vs zwei handler

if i told my armoured swordsmen to hold their ground and did not move them and the zwei handler attacked then would that mean its my 22 Defense vs. their 14 attack points for the entire engagement??

OR

does it mean that when my swordsmen are utilizing their shields they have that 22 defense value against the zwei handlers 14 attack and when they swing their swords their using their 13 attack vs. zwei handlers 11 defense?

[Khassaki]

Shield - if you have one - plus defense skill, plus armour apply against melee attacks, and shield - again if you have one - plus armour, only against shooting.

[Dogman]

The shield value only counts against blows coming form the front, and only counts for half when coming from the left. Your second scenario is how it works, I'm pretty sure.

[gogis]

It's still not fact about the left side. FAUST, as an example, points that shield bonus (1/2) applied from both sides, so don't spread unoffical rumor

[El Hamburglo]

Don't speculate about unproven happenings in the game?

Who died and made you communist China?

[Captain Spanky]

The second scenario is pretty much how it works. You attack using the attack atrribute, and damage taken is measured against the defence attribute. The defence power, however, changes depending on whether you are attacked from the sides or behind, as well as at range. I'm not even gonna pretend to know how they change, but they definetly do.

Hope I helped to answer your question.

[homefry]

I think the armor protects from everywhere, but the shield only protects from the front or half on the sides.

[Captain Spanky]

But what about defence skill? I would assume that this only counts from the front or sides, and does not count when attacked by missile troops.

This is just speculation, by the way, I really dont know how it all works.

[Lord Firkraag]

the armor protects from everywhere, but the shield only protects from the front or half on the sides.

Defense skill... only counts from the front or sides, and does not count when attacked by missile troops.

True and true.

Also: Armor counts half vs maces, axes, crossbows

[Captain Spanky]

Ah, I had forgotten that. Thanks.

[MurkyWaters]

I had a more basic question about unit stats. What's the mechanic?

I'm sure Captain Spanky is right about it being attacker's Attack stat vs defender's Defence stat, but how are the two compared to each other?

In vtbrandon's original example, it's attack 14 against defence 22. How are these stats compared to each other in order to work out whether the attack is successful or not?

[Captain Spanky]

Hmmm, well you got me there... :S

Just a guess, but would the 14 attack strike then lower the defender to 8 defence from the original 22? This happening would explain how some soldiers look somewhat bloodied after a melee.

Another possibility is that it is down to chance. Higher attack would heighten the possibility of a strike being fatal, while high defence lowers that chance. I'm not too sure about this one though, as it would mean in theory town militia could beat DFK...

Like I say, this is all speculation, any modder I suppose would be able to give you a far more concrete answer.

[MurkyWaters]

Thanks for the thoughts, Captain Spanky. I wondered if it was like the Civilization mechanic, where it was:

Chance of successful attack = Attack / (Attack + Defence)

Like you say, our best chance of finding out is if a friendly modder wanders past this way!