{"id":2094,"date":"2010-06-12T06:33:30","date_gmt":"2010-06-12T05:33:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/emilkirkegaard.dk\/en\/?p=2094"},"modified":"2010-07-30T10:27:15","modified_gmt":"2010-07-30T09:27:15","slug":"an-examination-of-randomness-in-heroes-of-newerth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emilkirkegaard.dk\/en\/2010\/06\/an-examination-of-randomness-in-heroes-of-newerth\/","title":{"rendered":"An examination of randomness in Heroes of Newerth"},"content":{"rendered":"

An examination of randomness in Heroes of Newerth<\/a><\/p>\n

———–
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

First published June 12, 2010.<\/p>\n

Revised 30 July, 2010.<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h1>\n

In this essay I will examine the different kinds of randomness involved in Heroes of Newerth<\/em> (=HON). Later I suggest some ways to reduce or remove the effects of randomness on gameplay.<\/p>\n

Randomness affected elements<\/h3>\n

Randomness adds a luck factor to a game. A player is lucky, if a random element comes out in his favor. The randomness that I am talking about in this essay is the kind that is uncontrollable by players<\/em>. I am not talking about any other kinds of randomness. For instance, as when a player teleports to safety because the players of the other team lost sight of him in the woods. Often, such players are called lucky. I am not interested in that kind of luck in this essay.<\/p>\n

Randomness affected elements in HON<\/h1>\n

In this section I will document all elements of HON that are affected by randomness. I may have missed some. If I did, please notify me.<\/p>\n

Hero abilities<\/h2>\n

In this section I will document the randomness elements in the abilities of heroes. I will do that by mentioning the hero name in headline 3 (in bold). The ability name in headline 4 (in italic). I will then copy (if possible) the description of the skill from the official homepage<\/a>. Sometimes I will omit irrelevant parts of the description. All text that is copied or almost copied is placed in an indentation one level to the right. Text not placed in a such indentation are my comments on the copied text which is usually clarification or notes about whether something is random or not.<\/p>\n

Swiftblade<\/h3>\n

Counter Attack<\/h4>\n

Extensive training in melee combat has allowed Swiftblade to perfect the art of countering enemy attacks, granting a chance that he will retaliate every time an enemy hero attacks him.<\/p>\n

On Attack<\/p>\n

15 \/ 20 \/ 25 \/ 30% chance to counter-attack if attacker is an enemy hero.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn attack\u201d should be understood as \u201cwhen attacked\u201d.<\/p>\n

Way of the Sword<\/h4>\n

Swiftblade’s unsurpassed skill at the sword has made him a master of hitting where it hurts, giving him a chance to critically strike opponents with each attack.<\/p>\n

10 \/ 18 \/ 26 \/ 36% chance to do 2x damage.<\/p>\n

Swift Slashes<\/h4>\n

Swiftblade attacks random nearby targets with such speed that he appears to teleport to them. Targets are randomly chosen, yet it is possible to teleport to the same target multiple times.<\/p>\n

Teleports self to random targets 3 \/ 5 \/ 8 times, dealing 150 to 250 Physical damage to each target. Applies Swift Slashes to self for duration of activation.<\/p>\n

Moon Queen<\/h3>\n

Multi-strike<\/h4>\n

The Moon Queen’s skill with her Luna Shuriken allows her to bounce it from her primary target to hit additional foes.<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

When toggled on, attacks on Hero targets will only bounce to other visible enemy heroes.<\/p>\n

On Attack<\/p>\n

Attack bounces up to 1 \/ 2 \/ 3 \/ 4 times to enemy units and buildings. Deals 35% less damage per bounce.<\/p>\n

I’m not sure whether this feature is random or not, but it may be. I’m guessing that it works in either of these two ways: 1. The shurikens bounce to a random target within a set radius, 2. It bounces automatically to the nearest target in a set radius.<\/p>\n

Moon Finale<\/h4>\n

Casts 4 \/ 7 \/ 10 Moon Beams on random targets in radius. Maximum of 4 hits per target. Moon beams deal 300 damage per hit.<\/p>\n

Wildsoul<\/h3>\n

Summon Beardulon<\/h4>\n

Wildsoul summons his pet bear, Beardulon<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

Summons Beardulon at target location. Beardulon cannot be summoned if he is currently active.<\/p>\n

Beardulon has the ability to carry items.<\/p>\n

-Increasing the level of the ability grants Beardulon more health and armor<\/p>\n

-Level 1, Beardulon learns the Return ability<\/p>\n

-Level 3, Beardulon learns the Entangling Claws ability.<\/p>\n

-Level 4, Beardulon learns the Demolish and Magic Resist abilities.<\/p>\n

There is a cooldown of 5 seconds on the Entangling Claws ability. It is not documented what the % chance of entangling an enemy is.<\/p>\n

Zephyr<\/h3>\n

Wind Shield<\/h4>\n

Zephyr uses his control of the wind to create a protective barrier around himself, increasing his evasion and speeding him up. The barrier also has a chance to redirect incoming projectile based attacks back at the attacker.<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

Applies Wind Shield to self for 10 \/ 15 \/ 20 \/ 25 seconds.<\/p>\n

On Attack<\/p>\n

Applies Wind Shield to self for 3 seconds when Zephyr lands an attack<\/p>\n

This ability contains Evasion properties. Evasion properties do not stack. Instead, you will automatically use the Evasion from the item or ability that grants you the highest chance to evade.<\/p>\n

Wind Shield Effects<\/p>\n

6 \/ 9 \/ 12 \/ 15% Melee Evasion<\/p>\n

10% Movement Speed<\/p>\n

6 \/ 9 \/ 12 \/ 15% chance to redirect projectile based attacks back at the attacker.<\/p>\n

Chronos<\/h3>\n

Rewind<\/h4>\n

Chronos steps back through time when damaged, giving him a chance to undo damage taken quickly.<\/p>\n

On Damage<\/p>\n

10 \/ 15 \/ 20 \/ 25% chance to heal damage taken. Heal occurs at a rate of 25% of maximum health per second.<\/p>\n

Scout<\/h3>\n

Disarm<\/h4>\n

The Scout’s mastery of close range combat allows him to occasionally disarm an opponent, then take advantage of the opening with a devastating attack.<\/p>\n

On Attack<\/p>\n

10 \/ 15 \/ 20 \/ 25% chance to disarm opponent for 1 seconds and deal a 1.25 \/ 1.5 \/ 1.75 \/ 2.0x critical strike.<\/p>\n

Once disarmed, opponents cannot be disarmed again by the scout for 2 seconds.<\/p>\n

Valkyrie<\/h3>\n

Call of the Valkyrie<\/h4>\n

Valkyrie calls forth several Battle Maidens to damage nearby enemies.<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

Deals 75 \/ 150 \/ 225 \/ 300 Magic damage to targets in radius around self.<\/p>\n

Deals an additional 37.5 \/ 75 \/ 112.5 \/ 150 Magic damage to one random target in a 200 radius.<\/p>\n

Blacksmith<\/h3>\n

Chaotic Flames<\/h4>\n

Fireball:<\/p>\n

– When cast, has a {25,40,50}% chance to impact at least twice, {0,20,25}% chance to impact at least three times, {0,0,12.5}% chance to impact four times.<\/p>\n

Frenzy:<\/p>\n

– When cast, has a {25,40,50}% chance to cast twice, {0,20,25}% chance to cast three times, {0,0,12.5}% chance to cast four times.<\/p>\n

Glacius<\/h3>\n

Glacial Downpour<\/h4>\n

Glacius showers the area around him with shards of ice. The shards will randomly strike around Glacius, slowing the attack and movement speed of nearby enemies and dealing intense damage to them.<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

Spawns an Ice Shard every 0.1 seconds at a random location within radius for 4 seconds or until ability is cancelled. Applies Glacial Freeze to targets within a 200 radius of where an Ice Shard impacts and damages them for 105 \/ 170 \/ 250 Magic damage.<\/p>\n

Voodoo Jester<\/h3>\n

Acid Cocktail<\/h4>\n

Voodoo Jester throws a wretched mix of cursed chemicals at an enemy, stunning them and nearby units one after the other.<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

Deals 75 \/ 100 \/ 125 \/ 150 Magic damage and stuns target for 1.5 second on heroes and 5 seconds on creeps. Bounces 2 \/ 4 \/ 6 \/ 8 times. Bounces deal no damage to heroes and stun for 1 second.<\/p>\n

It seems that the target for the next bounce is chosen randomly within some radius.<\/p>\n

Torturer<\/h3>\n

Impalement<\/h4>\n

The Torturer constantly summons many blades around him for a duration, impaling random enemies and structures near him.<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

Deals 9.375 \/ 18.75 \/ 28.125 \/ 37.5 Physical damage to a random target in radius every 0.25 seconds for 8 seconds, for a total of 300 \/ 600 \/ 900 \/ 1200 Physical damage.<\/p>\n

Plague Rider<\/h3>\n

Plague Carrier<\/h4>\n

The Plague Rider lets loose a Plague Carrier towards an enemy. The Carrier deals damage to the target it lands on before traveling to another nearby target. Any enemy near someone hit becomes Infected.<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

Deals 280 \/ 370 \/ 460 damage to the target, bouncing to another enemy within 600 units. Bounces 7 times.<\/p>\n

The target is apparently chosen randomly within the radius.<\/p>\n

War Beast<\/h3>\n

Summon Hellhounds<\/h4>\n

War Beast Summons forth Hellhounds from the underworld to attack his enemies.<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

Summons 2 Hellhounds for 55 seconds.<\/p>\n

Hellhounds have 400 \/ 475 \/ 550 \/ 625 Health, deal 17 \/ 27 \/ 34 \/ 43 to 18 \/ 30 \/ 40 \/ 49 Physical damage per attack, and have an attack cooldown time of 1.25 seconds. Their attacks have a 0 \/ 30 \/ 30 \/ 30% chance to do 1.5x normal damage.<\/p>\n

Pharoh<\/h3>\n

Hellfire<\/h4>\n

Pharaoh conjures plumes of fire around him for a short duration, hitting random nearby enemy targets, damaging each and stunning them briefly.<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

For 10 seconds, impacts a random target in radius every 0.75 seconds, dealing 10 \/ 30 \/ 50 \/ 70 Magic damage and stunning them for 0.1 seconds.<\/p>\n

Legionnaire<\/h3>\n

Whirling Blade<\/h4>\n

The Legionnaire’s skill with a Battle Axe is unrivaled. Every time he is attacked, he has a small chance to perform a Whirling Blade maneuver, which damages all nearby enemies.<\/p>\n

On Attack<\/p>\n

17% chance to damage enemies in 300 radius for 100 \/ 125 \/ 150 \/ 175 when attacked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Attack\u201d should be understood as when attacked.<\/p>\n

Rampage<\/h3>\n

Horned Strike<\/h4>\n

There is a chance Rampage’s rhino unleashes a devastating Horned Strike when he begins an attack, doing bonus damage and pushing then enemy backwards.<\/p>\n

On Attack<\/p>\n

17% chance on attack to stun and push back the target 140 \/ 180 \/ 220 \/ 260 units over 0.95 \/ 1.15 \/ 1.35 \/ 1.55 seconds, dealing 25 \/ 50 \/ 75 \/ 100 bonus Magic damage.<\/p>\n

Pestilence<\/h3>\n

Gore<\/h4>\n

Pestilence gains a chance to stab an enemy unit with his frontal horn when attacking, causing them to take some additional damage and be stunned briefly.<\/p>\n

On Attack<\/p>\n

10 \/ 15 \/ 20 \/ 25% chance to deal 40 \/ 50 \/ 60 \/ 70 bonus Magic damage to target and stun for 1 second.<\/p>\n

Maliken<\/h3>\n

Possession<\/h4>\n

Maliken allows himself to become possessed, transforming him into a full daemon temporarily. While in this form, Maliken’s attack becomes ranged and he attacks faster.<\/p>\n

Activation<\/p>\n

Applies Possessed to self for 30 seconds. Applies Feared to enemy heroes in a 400 radius for 0.75 \/ 1.25 \/ 2 seconds.<\/p>\n

Possessed Effects<\/p>\n

+20 \/ 40 \/ 60 Armor for the first 2 seconds, decreasing to +0 armor over the next 5 seconds.\\n\\nAttack Type changes to Ranged, with a range of 550.\\n\\nAttacks splash to nearby units.\\n^y50 \/ 75 \/ 100%^* Splash in a 75 AOE\\n^y35 \/ 50 \/ 65%^* Splash in a 200 AOE\\n^y20 \/ 25 \/ 30%^* Splash in a 350 AOE<\/p>\n

Feared<\/p>\n

40% Movement Speed<\/p>\n

Perplexed<\/p>\n

Silenced<\/p>\n

Disarmed<\/p>\n

Lose character control, running around in fear<\/p>\n

As far as I can tell. The movement caused by Feared is random.<\/p>\n

Runes<\/h2>\n

A rune spawns every two minutes at a randomly chosen location from two possible. The type of rune spawned is random but is one of the following: Regeneration, Double-Damage, Illusion, Invisibility or Haste.<\/p>\n

Neutral creep spawns<\/h2>\n

Neutral creeps spawn in the forest at 0:30 and afterwards at every whole minute (= at xx:00). The creeps spawn in camps located in the woods at each side of the river in the middle. There is an easy camp, two moderate camps, two hard camps in each team’s large forest. There is also an ancients camp on the other side of the road. Each spawn has a number of different creeps that can spawn there with varying difficulty. Some slow, some disspell buffs, some has poisonous attacks, some stun, some are more numerous than others, some do more damage than others and some are magic immune. Many heroes have problems (especially Zephyr and Tempest) killing the magic immune creeps and they are often avoided in the early game. Some heroes (Zephyr and Legionnaire) benefit from there being many creeps at a spawn location.<\/p>\n

Damage intervals<\/h2>\n

All heroes, all creeps, and all towers (but maybe not the well\/tar pit) do damage chosen from some interval. The exact damage is seemingly chosen at random in the interval. Sometimes this matters more than others. Especially in the case of last-hitting it matters a lot as one often fails to get a last hit if one gets a low damage number on the interval.<\/p>\n

Damage intervals are common to many games. Some games, however, feature ways to reduce the randomness introduced by such intervals. Team Fortress 2, for instance, has a server-side variable where one can disable the intervals and use instead a fixed number on all hits.<\/p>\n

Game modes<\/h2>\n

Banning modes<\/h3>\n

One might think which heroes are banned is a randomness factor, but it is not. It is controllable by players though, of course, only a single player.<\/p>\n

Draft modes<\/h3>\n

Which heroes are selected for the game is randomly chosen.<\/p>\n

Force random<\/h3>\n

Obviously the heroes are here selected at random.<\/p>\n

Items<\/h2>\n

In this section I will document randomness elements in items. I will do that by copying the relevant description text from the official homepage<\/a>. Item names are in type 3 headlines (in bold). The copied description is placed in an indentation one level to the right as in the Hero Abilities section. Any text below the text in the indentation are my comments.<\/p>\n

Iron Buckler<\/h3>\n

60% chance to block 20 attack damage. Only 10 damage is blocked for ranged heroes.<\/p>\n

Halberd<\/h3>\n

On attack. 15% chance to deal 40 physical damage to target.<\/p>\n

Snake Bracelet<\/h3>\n

25% evasion.<\/p>\n

Helm of the Black Legion<\/h3>\n

70% chance to block 40 attack damage.<\/p>\n

Riftshards<\/h3>\n

10% chance for 1.8 \/ 2 \/ 2.2 \/ 2.4x critical strike.<\/p>\n

Savage Mace<\/h3>\n

On attack. 35% chance to deal 100 physical damage to target and stun for 0.1 seconds.<\/p>\n

Wingbow<\/h3>\n

30% evasion.<\/p>\n

Brutalizer<\/h3>\n

25 \/ 10 (for melee \/ range) chance to stun for 1.4 seconds.<\/p>\n

Thunderclaw<\/h3>\n

20% chance to cast Chain Lightning on target and two additional targets on attack. Deals 150 magic damage.<\/p>\n

Additional targets are seemingly chosen randomly within a radius.<\/p>\n

Charged Hammer<\/h3>\n

20% chance to cast Chain Lightning on target and two additional targets on attack. Deals 200 magic damage.<\/p>\n

On activation casts Charged Up on target. When attacked with Charged Up on self, one has 20% chance to do 200 magic damage to the attacker and two nearby targets.<\/p>\n

As with above, the additional targets seem to be chosen randomly within a radius.<\/p>\n

Other randomness elements<\/h2>\n

Kongor<\/h3>\n

Kongor has a bash ability.<\/p>\n

Uphill attacking<\/h3>\n

Attacking a target uphill gives a 20% chance to miss.<\/p>\n

Discussion of how to change randomness factors into non-random factors<\/h1>\n

There are mainly two kind of randomness abilities: First, skills that has a % chance to activate on a single target per hit\/attack; single target abilities. Second, skills that target a random target in some radius; random target abilities.<\/p>\n

Single target randomness abilities<\/h3>\n

One way to change critical hits based solely on chance (based on some % to get a critical hit) into a non-random element, is to remove the % part and set a necessary and sufficient condition to get the effect. Two examples of this. First, in a recent patch, Chronos’s bash ability (Time Freeze\/Curse of Ages) was changed from having a chance to bash the opponent to bashing every 4 hits.<\/p>\n

0.1.66:<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

Time Freeze reworked: now Curse of Ages<\/p>\n

-Steals 1\/2\/3\/4 agility per hit, debuff lasts 10 seconds.<\/p>\n

-The 4th consecutive hit on a target stuns it for 1 second during which Curse can no longer add charges to the target or build towards a stun.<\/p>\n

-Does not stack with Brutalizer.<\/p>\n

-Every action allies take while in Chronosphere is slowed by 90% (MS, AS, CS). This value changes to 80% with Staff of the Master. (source<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Second, Night Hound’s critical hit ability (Backstab) has the condition that it only works when Night Hound is attacking a target from behind. This is unlike the similar hero, Scout, ‘s critical ability (Disarm).<\/p>\n

Interesting conditions for abilities are:<\/p>\n