Balancing Titans

Balancing Titans

Create balanced titan encounters that challenge players without feeling unfair.

Core Balancing Principles

The Three Pillars

1. Telegraphed Danger

• All major damage must be telegraphed
• Telegraph duration matches attack power
• Visual clarity is paramount

2. Counterplay Windows

• Powerful attacks create vulnerability
• Players can punish greedy titans
• Skill expression through timing

3. Progressive Difficulty

• Phase 1: Tutorial (learn mechanics)
• Phase 2: Challenge (master mechanics)
• Phase 3: Test (execute perfectly)

Damage Scaling

Damage per Cooldown

Target DPS: 3-5 damage per second

Quick Attacks (2-4s cooldown):

"quick_slash": {
  "cooldown": "60",      // 3 seconds
  "damage": "10.0"       // 3.33 DPS
}

Medium Attacks (6-10s cooldown):

"charged_blast": {
  "cooldown": "160",     // 8 seconds
  "damage": "28.0"       // 3.5 DPS
}

Ultimate Attacks (20-30s cooldown):

"ultimate_explosion": {
  "cooldown": "500",     // 25 seconds
  "damage": "80.0"       // 3.2 DPS
}

Damage Type Multipliers

Base Damage Adjustments:

Physical (1.0x baseline):

{"damage": "20.0", "damageType": "PHYSICAL"}

Fire (0.9x - DoT compensates):

{"damage": "18.0", "damageType": "FIRE"}
// + 3-5 seconds of fire damage

Electric (1.0x - stun/knockback):

{"damage": "20.0", "damageType": "ELECTRIC"}
// + brief stun

Explosion (1.1x - high knockback):

{"damage": "22.0", "damageType": "EXPLOSION", "knockback": "2.0"}

Magic (1.0x - ignores armor):

{"damage": "20.0", "damageType": "MAGIC"}
// Effective against tanky players

Telegraph Timing

Duration Formula

telegraph_duration = base_duration + (obb_size / 10)

Base Durations by Type:

• WARNING: 1.0s base
• DANGER: 1.5s base
• CRITICAL: 2.5s base

Size Scaling Examples:

Small AOE (5 block radius):

WARNING: 1.0 + (5/10) = 1.5s
DANGER:  1.5 + (5/10) = 2.0s

Large AOE (12 block radius):

DANGER:   1.5 + (12/10) = 2.7s
CRITICAL: 2.5 + (12/10) = 3.7s

Telegraph Type Guidelines

WARNING (Yellow):

• Damage: 8-15
• Size: Small-Medium (3-6 blocks)
• Frequency: High (2-4s cooldown)
• Phases: All phases

DANGER (Orange):

• Damage: 15-30
• Size: Medium-Large (6-10 blocks)
• Frequency: Medium (6-12s cooldown)
• Phases: 2-3

CRITICAL (Red):

• Damage: 30-60+
• Size: Large-Massive (10-15+ blocks)
• Frequency: Low (20-40s cooldown)
• Phases: 3 only (or enrage)

Vulnerability Windows

Duration Guidelines

RECOVERING (1.3x damage):

Light Attacks:

{
  "damage": "12.0",
  "vulnerability": {"state": "RECOVERING", "duration": "2500"}
  // 2.5s window, quick punish
}

Medium Attacks:

{
  "damage": "22.0",
  "vulnerability": {"state": "RECOVERING", "duration": "4000"}
  // 4s window, decent punish
}

EXHAUSTED (1.8x damage):

Heavy Attacks:

{
  "damage": "35.0",
  "vulnerability": {"state": "EXHAUSTED", "duration": "5000"}
  // 5s window, good punish
}

Ultimate Attacks:

{
  "damage": "55.0",
  "vulnerability": {"state": "EXHAUSTED", "duration": "8000"}
  // 8s window, huge punish
}

Vulnerability Frequency

Phase 1 (100% HP):

• 20% of attacks → RECOVERING
• 5% of attacks → EXHAUSTED

Phase 2 (66% HP):

• 40% of attacks → RECOVERING
• 15% of attacks → EXHAUSTED

Phase 3 (33% HP):

• 60% of attacks → RECOVERING
• 25% of attacks → EXHAUSTED

Phase Progression

Health Thresholds

Standard 3-Phase Fight:

{
  "phases": [
    {"healthThreshold": 1.0},   // Phase 1: 100-67%
    {"healthThreshold": 0.66},  // Phase 2: 66-34%
    {"healthThreshold": 0.33}   // Phase 3: 33-0%
  ]
}

Extended 4-Phase Fight:

{
  "phases": [
    {"healthThreshold": 1.0},   // 100-75%
    {"healthThreshold": 0.75},  // 75-50%
    {"healthThreshold": 0.5},   // 50-25%
    {"healthThreshold": 0.25}   // 25-0%
  ]
}

Stat Modifiers

Speed Scaling:

// Phase 1
{"speedModifier": 1.0}    // Baseline

// Phase 2
{"speedModifier": 1.15}   // +15% faster

// Phase 3
{"speedModifier": 1.35}   // +35% faster

Damage Scaling:

// Phase 1
{"damageModifier": 1.0}   // Baseline

// Phase 2
{"damageModifier": 1.2}   // +20% damage

// Phase 3
{"damageModifier": 1.4}   // +40% damage

Combined Scaling:

{
  "phases": [
    {
      "healthThreshold": 1.0,
      "speedModifier": 1.0,
      "damageModifier": 1.0,
      "scaleModifier": 1.0
    },
    {
      "healthThreshold": 0.66,
      "speedModifier": 1.15,
      "damageModifier": 1.2,
      "scaleModifier": 1.05
    },
    {
      "healthThreshold": 0.33,
      "speedModifier": 1.35,
      "damageModifier": 1.4,
      "scaleModifier": 1.1
    }
  ]
}

Move Pool Design

Attack Variety

Good Move Pool (8-12 moves):

• 3-4 Basic attacks (spam-safe, low cooldown)
• 2-3 Special attacks (medium cooldown, unique mechanics)
• 1-2 AOE attacks (punish clumping)
• 1-2 Ultimate attacks (high cooldown, major threat)

Example Charizard Move Pool:

{
  "moves": {
    // Basic (Phase 1-3)
    "slash": {"cooldown": "60", "damage": "10.0"},
    "bite": {"cooldown": "80", "damage": "12.0"},

    // Special (Phase 2-3)
    "flamethrower": {"cooldown": "160", "damage": "20.0"},
    "wing_attack": {"cooldown": "140", "damage": "18.0"},
    "dragon_claw": {"cooldown": "180", "damage": "24.0"},

    // AOE (Phase 2-3)
    "fire_spin": {"cooldown": "200", "damage": "22.0"},
    "heat_wave": {"cooldown": "220", "damage": "25.0"},

    // Ultimate (Phase 3)
    "blast_burn": {"cooldown": "500", "damage": "50.0"}
  }
}

Move Weights

Baseline Weight: 1.0

Higher Weight (more frequent):

"basic_attack": {
  "weight": 1.5,    // 50% more likely
  "cooldown": "60"
}

Lower Weight (less frequent):

"ultimate": {
  "weight": 0.5,    // 50% less likely
  "cooldown": "500"
}

Conditional Weights:

"charge_attack": {
  "weight": 1.0,
  "condition": "q.target_distance > 8.0 ? 2.0 : 0.5"
  // 2x weight if far, 0.5x if close
}

Phase-Specific Moves

Phase 1 Only:

"tutorial_slam": {
  "minHealthPercent": 0.66,
  "maxHealthPercent": 1.0
}

Phase 2-3:

"advanced_combo": {
  "minHealthPercent": 0.0,
  "maxHealthPercent": 0.66
}

Phase 3 Only:

"desperate_ultimate": {
  "minHealthPercent": 0.0,
  "maxHealthPercent": 0.33
}

Player Count Scaling

Dynamic Difficulty

Solo (1 player):

{
  "damageModifier": 0.8,      // -20% damage
  "speedModifier": 0.9,       // -10% speed
  "healthModifier": 0.7       // -30% HP
}

Small Group (2-3 players):

{
  "damageModifier": 1.0,      // Baseline
  "speedModifier": 1.0,
  "healthModifier": 1.0
}

Large Group (4-6 players):

{
  "damageModifier": 1.2,      // +20% damage
  "speedModifier": 1.1,       // +10% speed
  "healthModifier": 1.5       // +50% HP
}

Implementation:

{
  "type": "molang_script",
  "script": "var playerCount = q.entities_in_range(30.0); q.set_max_health(q.user_max_health * q.lerp(0.7, 1.5, (playerCount - 1) / 5.0));"
}

Testing Methodology

Test Matrix

Solo Test:

• Can 1 skilled player win?
• Time to kill: 5-10 minutes
• Death count: 2-4 attempts acceptable

Group Test (3 players):

• Can average players win?
• Time to kill: 3-6 minutes
• Death count: 1-2 attempts

Hardcore Test (6 players):

• Still challenging?
• Time to kill: 2-4 minutes
• Requires coordination

Iteration Checklist

Damage Tuning:

• No one-shot attacks (except clearly telegraphed ultimates)
• Players can recover from 1-2 hits
• Chip damage forces healing/food
• Ultimate attacks feel impactful but dodgeable

Telegraph Clarity:

• All dangerous attacks telegraphed
• Colors match threat level
• Telegraph duration feels fair
• OBB matches visual feedback

Phase Transitions:

• Clear visual/audio feedback
• Brief invulnerability or pause
• New mechanics introduced gradually
• Difficulty curve feels smooth

Attack Variety:

• No spam attacks (cooldowns enforced)
• Mix of melee/ranged/AOE
• Conditional attacks trigger appropriately
• Ultimate attacks feel special

Common Balancing Issues

Issue: Too Easy

Symptoms:

• Players barely take damage
• Fight over in <2 minutes
• No deaths

Fixes:

1. Increase damage by 20-30%
2. Reduce telegraph duration by 0.5s
3. Increase attack frequency (lower cooldowns)
4. Add more aggressive AI states

Issue: Too Hard

Symptoms:

• Players die instantly
• Can’t see telegraphs in time
• Unavoidable damage

Fixes:

1. Reduce damage by 20-30%
2. Increase telegraph duration by 0.5-1.0s
3. Add more vulnerability windows
4. Reduce attack frequency

Issue: Unfair/Unfun

Symptoms:

• “Cheap” deaths
• No counterplay
• Tedious rather than challenging

Fixes:

1. Always telegraph major damage
2. Add vulnerability after big attacks
3. Ensure OBB matches visuals
4. Reduce unavoidable chip damage

Issue: One-Dimensional

Symptoms:

• Same attack over and over
• Predictable pattern
• Boring fight

Fixes:

1. Add more moves to pool
2. Adjust move weights
3. Add conditional moves
4. Create dynamic state machine

Example: Balanced Titan

Mewtwo - Psychic Titan

Target Audience: 2-4 players, intermediate skill

Stats:

{
  "level": 70,
  "maxHealth": 800,
  "baseSpeed": 1.0,
  "baseDamage": 1.0
}

Phase 1 (800-533 HP):

{
  "healthThreshold": 1.0,
  "speedModifier": 1.0,
  "damageModifier": 1.0,
  "moves": [
    "confusion",        // 8 damage, 3s cooldown, WARNING
    "psychic",          // 15 damage, 8s cooldown, DANGER
    "barrier"           // Damage immunity, 20s cooldown
  ]
}

Phase 2 (533-267 HP):

{
  "healthThreshold": 0.66,
  "speedModifier": 1.2,
  "damageModifier": 1.2,
  "moves": [
    "psychic",          // 18 damage (1.2x), 8s cooldown
    "psycho_cut",       // 22 damage, 10s cooldown, DANGER
    "teleport_strike",  // 25 damage, 12s cooldown, DANGER
    "psychic_field"     // 15 damage, DoT, 18s cooldown
  ]
}

Phase 3 (267-0 HP):

{
  "healthThreshold": 0.33,
  "speedModifier": 1.4,
  "damageModifier": 1.4,
  "moves": [
    "psycho_cut",       // 31 damage (1.4x), 10s cooldown
    "teleport_strike",  // 35 damage, 12s cooldown
    "psychic_storm",    // 40 damage, AOE, 20s cooldown, CRITICAL
    "psycho_break"      // 60 damage, ultimate, 30s cooldown, CRITICAL
  ]
}

Expected Fight Duration: 4-6 minutes Expected Deaths: 1-2 before victory DPS Check: ~2.5 damage per second output required

Balancing for Different Difficulty Levels

Easy Mode

Modifiers:

{
  "damageModifier": 0.7,      // -30% damage
  "speedModifier": 0.8,       // -20% speed
  "healthModifier": 0.8,      // -20% HP
  "telegraphBonus": 0.5       // +0.5s all telegraphs
}

Use For: Casual players, learning fights

Normal Mode (Baseline)

Modifiers:

{
  "damageModifier": 1.0,
  "speedModifier": 1.0,
  "healthModifier": 1.0
}

Use For: Standard difficulty

Hard Mode

Modifiers:

{
  "damageModifier": 1.3,      // +30% damage
  "speedModifier": 1.2,       // +20% speed
  "healthModifier": 1.4,      // +40% HP
  "telegraphReduction": -0.3  // -0.3s all telegraphs
}

Use For: Experienced players, challenge runs

Nightmare Mode

Modifiers:

{
  "damageModifier": 1.6,
  "speedModifier": 1.4,
  "healthModifier": 2.0,
  "telegraphReduction": -0.5,
  "vulnerabilityReduction": 0.5  // Half vulnerability duration
}

Use For: Expert players only

Next Steps

• Creating Custom Moves → - Design new attacks
• Fight Config Builder → - Visual fight editor
• State Machines → - AI behavior tuning

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Create challenging, fair, and fun boss encounters! ⚖️