That would do much to reinforce the idea that you're a magical extra-dimensional Being using your power to aid your chosen heroes.

Sigh, maybe Merlin should start with magic he can actually use? Apparently, because the 'Spell' Prophecy is not actually a spell, but a modification to a magic spell! I started with 'Prophecy' which I was unable to use. XCOM: Enemy Unknown seems to be an influence here, and XCOM lets you get up to six.Īlso, you should start with a spell you can Use. While we're on the subject of XCOM: Why only 3 characters in The Hand of Merlin? You don't even get an overwatch unless you managed to select it on a Lvl up :(. Odd for a tactical Game that seems to want to be considered in the same vein as XCOM, as the only thing it seems to have taken from that game is the cover system. This choice will give players more of a choice over their characters, and help them feel like Their Character, making the game more of an RPG in the process.Īdditionally, there are no Facing Rules, as it doesn't seem to matter if you attack a character from the front, sides or back, (no backstabs here) making positioning seem less important. I Suggest allowing each character to select 1 ability at the start, with the 2 current abilities being a 'recommended' choice, able to be swapped for something else. More abilities/choices are needed for each character.

I Often had an extra action left which I could do nothing interesting with, as movement was completely unnecessary, and is Solely useful for closing distance/kiting or moving out of the rare AoE effect. There are Very limited actions per character, particularly at the start, making the combat Exceedingly Predicable, as you will use the one ability you can, then use the other if off cooldown. There are no Attacks of Opportunity for being in melee by default, so you can just run around, making the combats feel floaty. If that was Not your intention, I have some Observations/Suggestions for you.ĭo with them as you will, as they are intended to Help.įor starters, the tactical battles Feel Too Simple. I recorded my experiences if anyone prefers a more visual format:ĭo Watch It if a picture is worth 1,000 words, then how much more is a series of moving pictures Worth?Īnyway, if the goal of this game was to make a very Casual Tactics Lite 'RPG', then you have succeeded.Īs the game is now, it could be a very good choice for a young person's first tactics game. So, I checked out the Hand of Merlin Demo.

Instaling The Hand of Merlin