Devblog #3 – The Mercenaries

Today I want to dive into what makes your team unique in Eslabong, the mercenaries: their classes, stats, and abilities.

In Eslabong, your roster isn’t just a list of names. It’s a collection of specialized fighters, each with their own combat style, personality, and potential. There are some systems I want to walk you through:

The Classes

Your club starts small, with access to reliable but simple veterans like Warriors, Lancers, and Bowmen. Around 10 of the current 30 classes are what I call “Starting Classes”, requiring no special currency... just gold based on their level and abilities.

As your club’s Renown grows through league victories and events, the market opens up to more exotic and powerful classes like Mages, Barbarians, or Minotaurs, just to name a few.

Randomized Stats and Abilities

Abilities are distributed through a weighted system, ensuring that two mercenaries of the same class don’t play the same.

Abilities are learned every 4 levels, letting you choose between 2 to 3 spells each time, letting you think and craft customized builds.

More Than Just Stats

The main stats are: health, damage, defense, and movement speed. These are also partially randomized on level up, and every 3 levels you can choose a stat to boost.

But there is also a personality system. Every fighter comes with an AI Profile that defines their behavior:

• Berserkers aggressively dive into the fray and rarely disengage.

• Tacticians wait for the right moment and are more aware of the battlefield.

• Cautious fighters prioritize survival and distance.

You can override these instincts using what I call “directives”. You can tell a specific fighter to focus healers, burst down a target, or hold a position to protect an ally.

The Dynamic Market

The market is a living system. You can hire fresh recruits from the Mercenary Union (usually level 1 or 2) or look for veterans listed by other teams in your league. You can also make offers for a particular mercenary you saw and liked.

There is also a scouting office you can improve:: it allows you to reveal hidden stats and potential before committing to a purchase. It also provides a “market value” to help you compare prices.

There are also auctions: Occasionally, legendary named Champions appear. These are unique fighters with special abilities, distinct identities, and high demand. Winning them in a bidding war can define your season.

What Comes Next

The next Devlog will focus on Team Leaders and will show more Champions.

Also, I’ll be opening playtests in the next few days, so keep an eye out.

Wishlist Eslabong to stay up to date.

Thanks, Fran.