TeshiAlair wrote:FWIW, I find constriction to be far less relevant or interesting than trample.
Because is rather harmless? Early constriction from ball pythons is anecdotic at best, but I understand is just for learning. Later on, constriction monsters like nagas, octopodes or anacondas (am I forgetting anything else?) aren't a threat by constriction itself, either they have few chances to appear, mostly if Snake Pit doesn't or the player can deal with them before getting close or even escape from the constriction without many difficulties.
In comparison, the lethal hug of an owlbear in Nethack is something to be careful of and aware.
Returning to the main point. Trampling in open space when surrounded makes difficult your runaway or positioning towards a chokepoint, as it happens in Lair. Trampling in corridors or narrow spaces makes difficult to be able to overpass the monster which is not only blocking your way but pushing you back to the location you came from, and possibly fleeing from, so it's an interesting situation.
I cannot figure out what happens if a trampling creature appears close to lava or deep water areas, is there a chance to be pushed to instadeath? If so, I think vaults could be cleverly designed to convert a mild nuisance in a challenging threat.