Guardian serpent blink allies encircling ability

[asdu]

Ugh, I just experienced the guardian serpent's newfound ability to recall allies. Now, I'd be fine with change in itself, but with the rune lock in place I really don't think making Snake:5 even harder is warranted.
Btw, since I wasn't paying close attention to messages when it happened, does it work like the ironbrand convoker's recall (i.e. is it delayed)?

[duvessa]

It is in fact an exact copy of convokers' recall. Because Crawl monsters are only allowed to be unique for two stable versions at most.

[MrPlanck]

I don't like the new guardian serpent ability. They will blink greater naga and warriors next to you, and blinked creatures can constrict before you get a chance to react. The only safe and reasonable strategy now is to dig a tunnel system to leave one open tile and fight mobs one at a time. Kind of boring.

[XuaXua]

Ugh, I just experienced the guardian serpent's newfound ability to recall allies.

Yeah, that was unexpectedly not fun in the middle of Lair when one was guarding the entrance to Snake.

Lighting the galehar SIGNAL to split this Guardian Serpent thread from Rune Lock.

[dpeg]

How many nagas are gated in by serpents? If we restrict to two, then it's less evil than in Vaults (and also different from that place), and even corridors won't help to prevent constriction (assuming the nagas arrive on both ends).

[battaile]

How many nagas are gated in by serpents? If we restrict to two, then it's less evil than in Vaults (and also different from that place), and even corridors won't help to prevent constriction (assuming the nagas arrive on both ends).

Lots, restricting it to two would be great.

[rchandra]

it's also pretty silly in sprint, bringing orbs of fire into "Snake".

[MrPlanck]

How many nagas are gated in by serpents? If we restrict to two, then it's less evil than in Vaults (and also different from that place), and even corridors won't help to prevent constriction (assuming the nagas arrive on both ends).

Two seems reasonable. I was able to get the rune in the end so it is not impossible. But agree with asdu that it is especially hard because of the rune lock. Especially for a caster.

[XuaXua]

it's also pretty silly in sprint, bringing orbs of fire into "Snake".

I wonder if it can be restricted to a range, for HD, monster type/category, and/or for distance.

[brendan]

It is in fact an exact copy of convokers' recall. Because Crawl monsters are only allowed to be unique for two stable versions at most.

I've removed Word of Recall from Guardian Serpents. They now receive a band, like other professional Nagas.
Please tone down the snark.

[XuaXua]

...

Please tone down the snark.

Nominating the above post for "Best of" for reasons of hilarity.