Azeria / Pota with ranged units behind her cause backline melee units to run later

[stone kindle]

When comparing the positions of the Howlers in this explicit scenario, you can see that when there are masks present, the Howlers start running later, causing Azeria to tank 3 creeps.

When there is no mask/other equal ranged unit behind Azeria, Howlers start running earlier, grabbing 1 out of 3 creeps on the left, causing Azeria to tank 2 creeps.

I (and others) have observed dozens of similiar scenarios where a ranged unit was supposed to tank only a certain amount of units based on the placement of the ranged unit and the melee backline, but giving different results on the exact same wave, because of units inbetween the ranged unit and the melee backline, causing the melee backline to start run later than they would without the units inbetween.

To what degree is this intended?

[glacial quiver]

intended and consistent

[stone kindle]

Why is it intended that units dont engange into combat at the same time?

[glacial quiver]

to enhance unit behavior diversity

[stone kindle]

can a dev confirm

[turbid wadi]

Appreciate your detailed explanation. Sounds unintended/bugged.

I tried reproducing the described behavior but wasn't able to.

{"Towers":[{"T":"howler_unit_id","X":-1.0,"Z":-3.0,"S":0.0},{"T":"howler_unit_id","X":-2.0,"Z":-2.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"howler_unit_id","X":-3.0,"Z":-2.0,"S":0.0},{"T":"masked_spirit_unit_id","X":-4.0,"Z":3.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"howler_unit_id","X":-4.0,"Z":-1.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"sunfang_unit_id","X":4.0,"Z":4.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"priestess_of_the_abyss_unit_id","X":-4.0,"Z":4.5,"S":0.0}],"Rolls":["proton_unit_id","howler_unit_id","sacred_steed_unit_id","honeyflower_unit_id","pulsebot_unit_id","millennium_unit_id"],"LegionSpell":"","Gold":9668,"Mythium":10065,"Wave":6}
With this build on wave 6, 2 Rockos go to the left.

I'm trying to get a minimal repro for this. Can you perhaps share a build (ideally as simple as possible) that reproduces the issue?

[stone kindle]

Ok, i just figured out it has nothing to do with mask specificly. The reason for me to notice that is probably because Pota/Mask combo is often played 🙂 The reason for the delay of the backline seems to be the amount of units on your board.
With 16 units the melee backline starts running later. Removing any unit (in my previous tests it was the mask, such a coincidence which was misleading ) makes the melee backline start running sooner.

Try this template:
{"Towers":[{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":4.0,"Z":-3.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-1.0,"Z":-5.0,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-2.0,"Z":-4.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-3.0,"Z":-4.0,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-4.0,"Z":-3.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-1.0,"Z":-4.0,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-2.0,"Z":-3.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-3.0,"Z":-3.0,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-4.0,"Z":-2.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-1.0,"Z":-3.0,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-2.0,"Z":-2.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-3.0,"Z":-2.0,"S":0.0},{"T":"priestess_of_the_abyss_unit_id","X":-4.0,"Z":4.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"masked_spirit_unit_id","X":-4.0,"Z":3.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"golden_buckler_unit_id","X":4.0,"Z":4.5,"S":0.0},{"T":"looter_unit_id","X":-4.0,"Z":-1.5,"S":0.0}],"Rolls":["looter_unit_id","nekomata_unit_id","sea_serpent_unit_id","cursed_casket_unit_id","yozora_unit_id","eggsack_unit_id"],"LegionSpell":"","Gold":9737,"Mythium":10066,"Wave":6}

This template has 16 units on board. You will see the damage on the Pota taken is way higher than when you remove any unit, making it 15 (yes you can also remove a random looter).

A short preview of what you will (hopefully lol) see when reproducing:

[serene delta]

Just adding to this... it seems to only apply to pota, as replacing it with masks doesn't result in the same inconsistent outcome. In testing other things, I also noticed that scrappy will always pull 3 rockos left with even split, but a halo will only pull 2 rockos left, even thought they have the same range. Maybe it has something to do with being flying vs non-flying, because I know that can affect aggro in other scenarios.

[turbid wadi]

Thank you for the description, build, and video.

Great catch! I was able to reproduce this on first try. Will discuss internally if this can be fixed.

[turbid wadi]

Thanks! Was able to reproduce different outcomes for Scrappy and Halo. Good intuition on the flying distinction - might be something there. Will look into it.

[craggy gull]

Both Pota/Halo cases should behave consistent now

[stone kindle]

thx for fastest hotfix ever

[fluid portal]

but D2R said it's intended and consistent 😭

I trusted that man