-------------------------
Van Helsing (the WC3 map) 1.01
-------------------------
By: Brian Nunes (bpnunez)
e-mail: bnunes@frindar.com
http://www.VanWarcraft.com

------------------
Table of Contents
1. Intro
2. Features
3. Commands
4. Objectives
5. Gameplay
6. Known Issues
7. Credits
------------------

1. Intro
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	Hello,
	  First of all, thanks for downloading. If you like Van Helsing-ish stuff, I think 
	you'll like this map. I feel like it does the movie justice. 

	  It's basically a AOS-style map with lots of RPG-type features to it. I wanted to
 	make a fun game for multiplayer, but couldn't think of a style more fun than
	DOTA, so I sraight ripped it off =). But don't worry, it has a very unique feel to it.

	  As far as the map itself goes, I left it unprotected for the benefit of the mapping
	community. Although i don't think it expemplifies map coding skills at all, I I want
	people to be able to look at it and learn from it if they so please.

	  And as far as re-coding the map and making updates to it, I ask that you don't do so 
	without talking to me. I am actually looking to pass this project on to someone, or at
	least get some help with it. If you are interested, send me an e-mail.


2. Features
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	a. Items
		  Items got a lot of attention in this map. All of your weapons and shields
 		show up on your character, and each character has a specific class of item
 		they can use (i.e. melee characters can only use melee weapons and 
		shields, casters can only use caster weapons like staffs, etc). I did this for
 		a kind of WoW (rpg) feel to the map. 
		  There are also creep heroes in each "dungeon" (creep area) that carry 
		uber-loot that 	drop according to a percentage. 
 
 	b. Cameras
		  Another cool feature (which is kinda shoddy in practice, but still cool) is
 		the first-person camera mode you can enter. Its not ideal because Blizzard
		didn't allow for much keyboard or mouse control via the editor, so all it
		does is lock your camera to your character from a WoW type 3rd person view.
		But still cool to get a more interactive feel.
	
	c. Taxi
		  The Human side is so damn big that I just had to add a "magical taxi" to
		their town. You can hitch a ride from the Magicians guild (at the northern
		tip of the town) and go to one of three places, which each cost diff. amounts
		depending on how far they are from your current location. To board the taxi,
		walk up to it and you will receive a "Climb Aboard" ability on your ability 
		toolbar. Use it and click on the taxi and you will climb aboard. The taxi
		will then wait for any additional passengers, then take off. Once you arrive
		it drops you off and waits around for anyone wishing to go back to town, then
		zooms home to the magician's guild.


3. Commands
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	There are several commands accepted from the user:
		"!zoom 0": 	first person view
		"!regview":	returns your camera to your regular view
		"!zoom in":	zooms in
		"!zoom out":	zooms out
		"!scoreboard":	displays a scoreboard for all the players playing
		"!noscore":	gets rid of your scoreboard
		"!takeover":	this command is limited to the hero-select portion of the
				game. It allows you to usurp control of an allies wisp if
				he or she is taking too long to select a character 
				(i.e. they are AFK or something). I did this because the game
				won't start until all of your allies have selected a 										character.
		"!unload":	Unloads everyone in the Taxi in the exact spot it is in 

4. Objectives
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	  The primary objective is simple, destroy the enemy =) BUt there are secondary
	(optional) objectives.

	  The secondary objective is to capture either Frankenstein's Monster (if you're
	playing for Dracula's Minions) or Velken Valerious (if you're with Van Helsing). 
	When you capture either of these units and bring them to the designated area on
	the map, they help you out greatly by producing extra units for your side. Frank's
	Monster produces vamp babies, and Velken summons wolves from the forest. The completion 
	of either of these objectives is *almost* a game winning move. But the 	other team can 
	counter the completion of these events.

	  If the evil-doers capture Frank's monster, the holy ones (Van Helsing's crew =) can 
	destroy the power generator (located at the top of the map on the dark side of the 
	river) and the vamp babies will all die. And if the evil-doers kill Velken after he
	starts summoning, the wolves will stop coming. 


5. Gameplay
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	  In essence this is a basic AOS map. Two sides, 9 heroes each side, pick a hero and 
	fight with your troops against the other side and their heroes. However, this game
	is entirely thematic. The terrain, characters and NPCs all fit within the theme I tried
	to create, which is one of a Good/Evil Vampire story. 

	  The weapons system is one of the most essential aspects of the game. It is class-based.
	Each character belongs to a particular class, and based on that class can only used 
	particular items. And on top of this, items themselves are of certain types. Heroes
	Can only use one Primary Weapon at a time, but can also carry either a Secondary weapon
	or a Shield in their other hand. And once these items are carried, they appear on the
	character itself as if it were actually being carried (similar to an RPG). 

	  Another important note is the Night/Day Vampire system. Vampires can only traverse the
	map during the night, and during the day they can only travel on blighted areas. If a 
	vampiric character tries to walk on non-blighted areas during the day, they will burst 
	into flames and eventually explode. However, during the night all vampires receive a
	+10 strength and +5 agility bonus to their stats. And if they purchase a Day Walker's
	Potion, they can stay protected all day long, and still receive stat bonuses at night.
	But if they obtain a Shadow Orb from Kilbinian the Necromancer (look for him in the
	ghost town), they will be able to permanently Day Walk, but will
	no longer receive stat bonuses at night. 


6. Known Issues
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	- First person view can be tempermental in many different instances
	- Igor's frog bomb doesn't do damage when it dies, only when it attacks
	- Shroom Quest is tempermental
	- Hereoes could be a little unbalanced
	- Guards follow too far (didn't know how to fix)

7. Credits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	 I basically have to thank everyone who has ever uploaded anything to www.wc3sear.ch and/or
	www.campaigncreations.org. I couldn't have made this map without you guys. I must have browsed 
	through those model lists a thousand times. I eventually found some damn good item and character 
	models that would work for me. So here is the list of models/skins and where they came from:

	Character models:
	-----------------
	Van Helsing:
		- By: Miseracord
		- Originally called "Assasin", but using a custom skin
		- From www.wc3sear.ch

	Telemachus the Rogue:
		- By: Zerofiles.EXE
		- Originally called "Dagger Rogue"
		- From www.wc3sear.ch

	Nereus the Paladin:
		- By: SamuraiPanda
		- Originally called "Blind Paladin"
		- From www.wc3sear.ch

	Carl the Monk
		- By: Stuffkikker
		- Originally called "Monk"
		- From www.wc3sear.ch

	Skins:
	------
	Dracula:
		- By: Anakaristhedark
		- Originally called "Alucard"
		- From www.wc3sear.ch

	Lady Quill:
		- By: b17rider
		- Originally called "Nigh Elf Ranger"
		- From www.wc3sear.ch

	Lady Magdalene:
		- By: Ryoko
		- Originally called "Blood Elf Sorceress"
		- From www.wc3sear.ch

	Item attachment Models:
	-----------------------
		  The item models are just too numerous to list here, but all of them came from
		www.wc3sear.ch and www.campaigncreations.org. Thank you to everyone who has ever 
		contributed an attachment model to those sites, because it's most likely in here =)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Also thanks to everyone who posts to map development forums. You guys make mapping possible. ANd
the people that keep those forums open rock. 

Thanks guys!
- Bpnunez
