GDD - Bosses

Description

This document will detail all the necessary requirements/vision for the bosses, including but not limited to attack patterns, references, animation requirements, etc.

Before we get into design, here are the basic principles we must follow while designing every boss:

• Every boss needs to be a test of skill of some sort.
• Every boss needs to have a narrative hook - with a beginning, climax, and end.
• Every boss should be a change of pace compared to the previous boss.

Boss List

Below is the list of bosses that we have decided to include as of now. This list is subject to change based on how the narrative develops.

1. Torion
2. Igrath
3. Boar
4. Dire Wolves
5. Dhoron
6. Bison (it will be a stampede during Dhoron’s hunt)
7. Mammoth
8. Bruntus (club weapon)
9. Igrath

Boss Animations

• Idle
• Walk
• PreCharge/Telegraph
• Run/Charge
• Attack #1
• Attack #2
• Attack #3 (Bosses would support up to 3 different attacks)
• Hurt
• Stagger
• Death
• Taunt (When first seeing the boss and the player will feel intimidated)
• Angry (Could be a roar/some form of frustration from the boss that things aren’t going as planned for them, used as a transition between phases)

Sequence of Boss Battle

sequenceDiagram
    participant Player
    participant Boss
    participant StateMachine
    participant BehaviorManager
    participant HealthSystem

    Player->>+Boss: Enters boss arena
    Boss->>Player: Taunt (Dialogue or Animation)
    Boss->>StateMachine: Enter Idle State
    StateMachine->>BehaviorManager: Trigger Phase 1 Behavior

    loop Phase 1
        BehaviorManager->>Boss: Select Attack (Attack 1, Attack 2, etc.)
        Boss->>Player: Execute Attack
        Player->>Boss: Counter-Attack/Damage
        Boss->>HealthSystem: Update Health
        HealthSystem-->>BehaviorManager: Check Health Threshold
        alt Health > 50%
            BehaviorManager->>StateMachine: Continue Phase 1
        else Health <= 50%
            BehaviorManager->>StateMachine: Trigger Phase Transition
        end
    end

    StateMachine->>Boss: Play Phase Transition Animation
    StateMachine->>BehaviorManager: Trigger Phase 2 Behavior

    loop Phase 2
        BehaviorManager->>Boss: Select Attack (Combo Attacks, Enhanced Moves)
        Boss->>Player: Execute Attack
        Player->>Boss: Counter-Attack/Damage
        Boss->>HealthSystem: Update Health
        HealthSystem-->>BehaviorManager: Check Health Threshold
        alt Health > 0%
            BehaviorManager->>StateMachine: Continue Phase 2
        else Health <= 0%
            BehaviorManager->>StateMachine: Trigger Death Sequence
        end
    end

    StateMachine->>Boss: Play Death Animation
    Boss->>Player: Boss Defeated (End Encounter)

1. Detailed Boss Breakdowns

1.1. Torion

• Location: Campsite
• Narrative Hook: He is a classic dad who wants to teach Adira the ways of life, but she chooses to defy him to prove her worth every time.
• Personality traits: He is calm and collected and only moves when necessary. He is a precise fighter.
• Personality type references:
  • Endeavor (My Hero Academia)
  • Thors (Vinland Saga)
  • Kratos (God of War 2018)
• Boss mechanic references:
  • Honda Tadakatsu (Nioh) because of the spear
  • The Hanged Man (Hyper Light Drifter)
• Number of phases: 2
• Boss Attributes:
  1. Total Enemy Health: 200
  2. Light Damage: 20
  3. Medium Damage: 40
  4. Heavy Damage: 60

Individual attacks:

Phase 1

1. Spear Thrust (Basic Melee)

• Description: Thrusts spear in player’s direction.
• Telegraph: Pulls spear backwards.
• Range: Medium-Long linear towards player.
• Activation Range: Short-Mid.
• Damage: Moderate.
• Dodge: Dodge away, diagonally, or to the side.

2. Around the World

• Description: Spins in a circle with the spear, damaging anything in range.
• Telegraph: Pulls spear in the opposite direction of the spin.
• Range: Short, around the enemy along with some forward momentum.
• Activation Range: Short.
• Damage: Light.
• Dodge: Dodge away.

3. Half Around the World (Heavy Attack)

• Description: Lunges towards the player and swings the spear horizontally.
• Telegraph: Running towards player and lunge.
• Range: Towards the player.
• Activation Range: Mid.
• Damage: High.
• Dodge: Roll away from the attack.

Phase 2

4. Spear Thrust + Half Around the World + Speed up (Combo)

• Description: Combines spear thrust and around the world sequentially with each attack and is faster - so less telegraph time + attacks are faster.
• Telegraph: Follows respective attacks telegraphing in combination.
• Range: Moderate if one of the two lands, high if both land. Combo is dodgeable even if one hit lands.
• Activation Range: Short-Mid.
• Damage: Low per hit, but fired in a rapid sequence.
• Dodge: Move laterally to avoid the hits.

5. Repeated Around the World

• Description: Torion will spin multiple times and follow Adira wherever she goes. Can chain repeatedly.
• Telegraph: Follows respective attacks telegraphing but with more buildup.
• Range: Light if hit lands once. Combo can't be escaped from if caught in.
• Activation Range: Mid.
• Damage: Low per hit, but fired in a rapid sequence.
• Dodge: Move laterally to avoid the hits.

Behavior:

Torion is a calm fighter, so he will only walk around the arena and launch attacks when Adira is in range.

What we want the player to be challenged on:

• Basic movement
• Weapon range
• Dodge roll

1.2. Igrath

• Location: Campsite/Final Location
• Narrative Hook: He is the main antagonist of this game, and when Adira finds Igrath for the first time in the story, Torion is missing. Psychologically, this will immediately indicate to the players that Igrath is pretty strong if Torion, who is extremely strong himself, had gone missing. With the addition of good music, VFX, and unique animations, Igrath could be perfect as the first and the narratively last boss of the game.
• Personality traits: He is a bit of an anarchist, very erratic with his actions, and that should reflect in his movements too. His attacks should be more vicious and lack technique.
• Personality type references:
  • Mugen (Samurai Champloo)
  • Trevor (GTA 5)
  • Arkham (DMC3)
• Boss mechanic references:
  • Godfrey (Elden Ring) because of the axe
  • Nosk (Hollow Knight) for the erratic movement
• Number of phases: 3 (only 1 will be available for the first fight at the campsite)

Individual attacks:

Phase 1

1. Axe Slash (Basic Melee)

• Description: Swings axe in a wide arc in front of it.
• Telegraph: Swings the axe in the opposite direction for buildup.
• Range: About 180 degrees towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Moderate.
• Dodge: Dodge away or to the side.

2. Reverse Hit (Stun)

• Description: Uses the other end of the axe for a quick attack.
• Telegraph: Pulls back the axe.
• Range: Vertically in front of the boss towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Light, but causes a short stun.
• Dodge: Dodge away or diagonally in his direction to sneak in a back attack.

3. Axe Smash (Heavy Attack)

• Description: Lunges towards the player and swings the axe in a vertical smash.
• Telegraph: Running towards player and lunge.
• Range: Towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: High.
• Dodge: Roll to the side right before the axe hits the ground.

4. Retaliate (Light Attack)

• Description: If a player rolls behind and is being greedy with attacks, Igrath turns back and immediately does an axe slash.
• Telegraph: Sprite shake.
• Range: About 270 degrees towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Light.
• Dodge: Roll away from the attack.

Phase 2

5. Axe Slash + Axe Smash + Speed up (Combo)

• Description: Combines axe slash and smash simultaneously with each attack and is faster - so less telegraph time + attacks are more frenetic.
• Telegraph: Follows respective attacks telegraphing.
• Range: Moderate if one of the two lands, high if both land. Combo is dodgeable even if one hit lands.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Low per hit, but fired in a rapid sequence.
• Dodge: Move laterally to avoid the hits.

6. Reverse Hit Stun + Axe Slash

• Description: Combines reverse hit stun + axe slash/smash. This is a commit attack.
• Telegraph: Same as reverse hit stun.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Moderate if you don’t get caught in the stun, high if both attacks land. If caught in stun, can’t avoid the second attack.
• Dodge: Run or roll to stay ahead of the sweeping beam.

Phase 3

7. Reverse Hit Stun + Axe Slash + Axe Smash + Shockwave with Phase 2 speed (Combo)

• Description: Axe attack from before happens 2 times in a row without breaks where Igrath tracks Adira. Third attack causes a shockwave.
• Telegraph: Same as the Axe attack, but it takes a little longer.
• Range: Moderate if one of the two lands, high if both land. Combo is dodgeable even if one hit lands.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Moderate per hit, high if taking all 3 hits.
• Dodge: Move laterally to avoid the hits.

8. Axe Slash + Axe Slash + Axe Smash + Shockwave with Phase 2 speed (Combo)

• Description: Axe attack from before happens 2 times in a row without breaks where Igrath tracks Adira. Third attack causes a shockwave.
• Telegraph: Same as the Axe attack, but it takes a little longer.
• Range: Moderate if one of the two lands, high if both land. Combo is dodgeable even if one hit lands.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Moderate per hit, high if taking all 3 hits.
• Dodge: Move laterally to avoid the hits.

Behavior:

Igrath is going to challenge Adira at all ranges. TBA abilities of the game.

What we want the player to be challenged on:

TBA

1.3. Boar

• Location: TBA but near Freyanna
• Narrative Hook: The boar will threaten Freyanna, and Adira will have to save her from the Boar.
• Personality traits: It's an agile animal and can change directions quickly.
• Personality type references: - N/A
• Boss mechanic references:
  • Commander Gaius (Elden Ring)
  • FengXi (Wo Long)
• Number of phases: 2

Individual attacks:

Phase 1

1. Tusk Slash

• Description: Swings tusk in a wide arc in front of it.
• Telegraph: Swings the tusks in the opposite direction for buildup.
• Range: About 120 degrees towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Moderate.
• Dodge: Dodge away or to the side.

2. Tusk Poke

• Description: Uses tusk to poke at the player.
• Telegraph: Pulls back the tusk.
• Range: Vertically in front of boss towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Light, but causes a short stun.
• Dodge: Dodge away or diagonally in his direction to sneak in a back attack.

3. Charged Attack

• Description: Lunges towards the player and swings the tusk in a vertical smash.
• Telegraph: Backward lean.
• Range: Towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: High.
• Dodge: Roll to the side right before the tusk hits the ground.

Phase 2

5. Tusk Slash + Tusk Poke Combo

• Description: Combines tusk slash + tusk poke and is faster - so less telegraph time + attacks are more frenetic.
• Telegraph: Follows respective attacks telegraphing.
• Range: Moderate if one of the two lands, high if both land. Combo is dodgeable even if one hit lands.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Low per hit, but fired in a rapid sequence.
• Dodge: Move laterally to avoid the hits.

6. Repeated Charge

• Description: Chains multiple charge attacks together.
• Telegraph: Same as charge.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Moderate if you don’t get caught in stun, high if both attacks land. If caught in stun, can’t avoid the second attack.
• Dodge: Run or roll to stay ahead of the sweeping beam.

Behavior:

TBA

What we want the player to be challenged on:

TBA

1.6. Bison

• Location: TBA but near Fall's Village
• Narrative Hook: The bison will be part of the test that Dhoron gives to Adira, and she'll be compelled to prove Dhoron wrong.
• Personality traits: It is a relatively slow animal, and while Adira can dodge it easily, its attacks hit hard.
• Personality type references: - N/A
• Boss mechanic references:
  • Commander Gaius (Elden Ring)
  • FengXi (Wo Long)
• Number of phases: 2

Arena Data

Since the fight will be taking place inside a stampede, we can have the arena be stuffed with bisons running across. Ideally, we can have a group of bisons running in vertical and horizontal directions so we can have enough patterns.

Individual attacks:

Phase 1

1. Horn Poke

• Description: Thrusts horns towards the player.
• Telegraph: Rears back to charge.
• Range: Vertically towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Moderate.
• Dodge: Dodge away or to the side.

2. Dust Kick

• Description: Uses horns to hurl dust at Adira and stun her.
• Telegraph: Rears backward.
• Range: Short towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Light, but causes a short stun.
• Dodge: Dodge away or diagonally in his direction to sneak in a back attack.

3. Bison Charge

• Description: The traditional bison charge - it will roughly follow the player until the bison gets exhausted.
• Telegraph: Backward lean.
• Range: Towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: High.
• Dodge: Roll to the side right before the bison hits the ground.

Phase 2

5. Herd Control

• Description: Emits a roar triggering changes in patterns of running bisons.
• Telegraph: Roars at the player.
• Range: N/A.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: N/A.
• Dodge: Dodge the patterns.

6. Repeated Charge

• Description: Chains multiple charge attacks together.
• Telegraph: Same as charge.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Moderate if you don’t get caught in stun, high if both attacks land. If caught in stun, can’t avoid the second attack.
• Dodge: Run or roll to stay ahead of the sweeping beam.

Behavior:

TBA

What we want the player to be challenged on:

TBA

1.6. Bruntus

• Location: TBA but in Ursa camp
• Narrative Hook: Bruntus will not have the narrative weight but will be a huge obstacle before Adira can get to Igrath/Torion.
• Personality traits: It's an agile animal and can change directions quickly.
• Personality type references: - N/A
• Boss mechanic references:
  • Troll (God of War)
  • FengXi (Wo Long)
• Number of phases: 2

Individual attacks:

Phase 1

1. Club Jump Attack

• Description: Grabs club with both hands, jumps towards Adira, and smashes the club into the ground.
• Telegraph: Bruntus raises the club above his head.
• Range: It will be a radius where the dodge roll should be a comfortable dodge.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: High.
• Dodge: Dodge away.

2. Club One Arm Smash

• Description: A vertical smash that has an extremely wide range.
• Telegraph: Lifts club into the air with one hand.
• Range: Vertical towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Moderate.
• Dodge: Dodge away or diagonally in his direction to sneak in a back attack.

3. Club Two Arm Smash

• Description: Lunges towards the player and swings the club in a vertical smash with a shockwave.
• Telegraph: Lifts club into the air with both hands.
• Range: Vertical towards the player.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: High.
• Dodge: Roll to the side or away right before the club hits the ground.

Phase 2

5. Repeated Club One Arm Smash

• Description: Chains multiple club attacks together.
• Telegraph: As per attack.
• Activation Range: TBA.
• Damage: Moderate for every attack, but once locked, the player can't escape the combo.
• Dodge: Run or roll to stay ahead of the sweeping beam.

Behavior:

TBA

What we want the player to be challenged on:

TBA