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Combat System Redesign

Counter-Based
Hero System

An RPG-style approach where heroes, weapons, and modifications counter each other, replacing the static "bigger number wins" meta with strategic team composition.

+30%

Class Counter Bonus

+20%

Weapon Counter Bonus

+15%

Mod Counter Bonus

The Problem We're Solving

The current 4X hero meta suffers from a fundamental problem: when you face an opponent with a stronger composition, there is no strategic response. You simply lose.

Traditional 4X Approach

  • Multiple fixed teams with no flexibility
  • When countered, no response possible
  • Bigger numbers always win
  • No skill expression in combat

Gridfall Solution

  • One flexible team with switchable characters
  • Pre-battle scouting and swap phase
  • Strategy beats raw power
  • Meaningful decisions every battle

The Counter Triangle

Vanguard

Tank / Frontline

Striker

DPS / Damage

Technomancer

Support / Healer

Three Layers of Counter Mechanics

Unlike simple rock-paper-scissors, our system creates deep strategic decisions through three independent counter layers that stack multiplicatively.

Class Counter

+30% Effective Power

The foundational counter system based on hero class roles.

ClassStrong vsWeak vs
VanguardStrikerTechnomancer
StrikerTechnomancerVanguard
TechnomancerVanguardStriker

Weapon Counter

+20% Damage Bonus

Secondary counter layer based on equipped weapon type.

WeaponEffectCounters
KineticArmor pierceVanguards
EnergyShield disruptTechnomancers
PlasmaResist bypassResist builds

Modification Counter

+15% Effectiveness

Tertiary counter through hero body modifications.

Mod TypeCounters
StealthTargeting systems
CyberSlower enemies
HardenedEMP effects
TargetingEvasion builds

Interactive Counter Diagrams

Click or hover on any node to explore the counter relationships in detail. These interactive diagrams show how each layer creates strategic depth.

Class Counter Triangle

VanguardStrikerTechnomancer+30%

Click or hover on a node

to see counter relationships

Weapon Counter Triangle

KineticEnergyPlasma+20%

Click or hover on a node

to see counter relationships

Modification Counter Square

StealthCyberHardenedTargeting+15%

Click or hover on a node

to see counter relationships

The Flexible Team System

Instead of multiple fixed teams, players have one team with switchable characters based on opponent composition.

Team Composition

Active Heroes

In combat formation

5

Reserve Heroes

Available for swap

3

Swap Limit

Per battle maximum

2

Battle Flow

1

Scout Phase

See opponent's hero lineup (not gear/mods)

2

Swap Phase

30 seconds to swap reserve heroes into active slots

3

Combat Phase

Battle resolves with counter bonuses applied

The Strategic Question

"Do you reveal your strongest heroes early, or hold them in reserve to counter-swap?"

Try It Yourself

Experience the team building flow with this interactive demo. Build your team, scout the enemy, and make strategic swaps based on their composition.

Team Composition Builder

Build Phase

Active Team (5)

0/5

Add Hero

Add Hero

Add Hero

Add Hero

Add Hero

Reserve Team (3)

0/3

Add Reserve

Add Reserve

Add Reserve

Available Heroes

8 available
V

AEGIS-7

KineticHardened
S

PHANTOM

EnergyStealth
T

CIPHER

PlasmaCyber
V

BULWARK

PlasmaHardened
S

VIPER

KineticTargeting
T

NEXUS

EnergyCyber
V

SENTINEL

EnergyTargeting
S

WRAITH

PlasmaStealth

1. Build

Select 5 active + 3 reserve

2. Scout

See enemy composition

3. Swap

2 swaps in 30 seconds

Intelligence & Scouting

Information is power. The scouting system creates monetization opportunities around strategic advantage without direct power increase.

Basic

Hero names and classes

Free

Standard

Hero levels and star ratings

Scout ability

Advanced

Weapon types equipped

50 Quantum Cores

Complete

Full mod loadout

200 Quantum Cores

Swap Phase Actions

Pre-battle spending that feels strategic rather than pay-to-win.

ActionCostLimitStrategic Value
Swap Active ↔ Reserve
Free2 per battleCore counter-picking mechanic
Change Weapon
10 Quantum CoresUnlimitedAdapt to enemy armor/shields
Change Mod
25 Quantum Cores1 per heroCounter specific enemy builds

Meta Compositions

With the counter system in place, team composition becomes a strategic puzzle.

Balanced

2 Vanguard, 2 Striker, 1 Technomancer

Strength

No hard counters

Weakness

No hard advantages

Burst

1 Vanguard, 3 Striker, 1 Technomancer

Strength

Kills before response

Weakness

Weak to armor stacking

Sustain

2 Vanguard, 1 Striker, 2 Technomancer

Strength

Outlasts burst

Weakness

Weak to debuff stacking

Counter-Pick

Varies based on opponent

Strength

Maximum advantage

Weakness

Requires good scouting

Contextual Monetization

When a player loses to a specific counter, offer helpful solutions that feel valuable rather than exploitative.

Trigger

Lost to specific hero

Counter [Hero Name] Pack

Fragments for countering hero

$9.99

Trigger

Lost to weapon type

Anti-[Weapon] Arsenal

Weapon blueprints that counter

$4.99

Trigger

Lost to mod type

System Upgrade: [Counter Mod]

Mod research speedup

$2.99