Nightstalker for monsters


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Blades Runner

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Post Friday, 23rd May 2014, 18:32

Nightstalker for monsters

You know the feeling when you turn a corner in the corridor on dlvl 3 and bump into an ogre? Sudden surprises like that are interesting (to me, at least); the autoexplore game is kind of boring at times when you have an 8-tile buffer for mistakes, and corridors help shake that up a bit. Imagine that, but in plain line of sight; the monster "pops out of the shadows"!

What if monsters could get a spell that allows them to reduce the distance at which they can be seen? Similar to how players can use Darkness, Lantern of Shadows, and Nighstalker to reduce their own line of sight (as well as reducing the ability of enemies to see them), some enemies would be able to hide themselves away until they get close enough to be seen?

Perhaps this could be a passive for certain enemies, or a category of enemies.

  Code:
Sigmund snaps his fingers, and fades into shadow!  #Casting Darkness
Sigmund appears from the darkness!        #Stepping close enough


I'm thinking 4 tile distance is close enough to be surprising for early game enemies, 3 tiles gets a little uncomfortable, and 2 tiles is just WOAH.
114491 | Pan | Entered the realm of Gloorx Vloq.
114491 | Pan | Noticed Gloorx Vloq
114492 | Pan | Killed Gloorx Vloq

true lords of shadow NEVER sleep
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Ziggurat Zagger

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Post Friday, 23rd May 2014, 18:47

Re: Nightstalker for monsters

You mean like having an innate always-on Invisibility effect that disables at close proximity and only allows range when visible?

I know you don't mean Invisibility ability, as players are undetectable outside of line of sight (monsters don't get a random question mark in the general area when viewing you from their line of sight while they are not in your line of sight), but that's pretty much it.
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Dungeon Master

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Post Friday, 23rd May 2014, 18:51

Re: Nightstalker for monsters

How is this different from what trapdoor spiders do?

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Ziggurat Zagger

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Post Friday, 23rd May 2014, 18:53

Re: Nightstalker for monsters

wheals wrote:How is this different from what trapdoor spiders do?


Because it's not on a spider, I guess?
"Be aware that a lot of people on this forum, such as mageykun and XuaXua, have a habit of making things up." - minmay a.k.a. duvessa
Did I make a lame complaint? Check for Bingo!
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Blades Runner

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Post Friday, 23rd May 2014, 19:05

Re: Nightstalker for monsters

wheals wrote:How is this different from what trapdoor spiders do?


Huh.... (i'd forgotten)

Actually it'd be about the same. Trapdoor spiders have that gimmick but aren't usually threatening by the time you find them; whatever danger they pose with their poison branded bite. But it'd be pretty OP to let some very strong foes into melee range before you could even see them, so making them appear at 3 or 4 tiles away would give you an opportunity to do something after noticing them.
114491 | Pan | Entered the realm of Gloorx Vloq.
114491 | Pan | Noticed Gloorx Vloq
114492 | Pan | Killed Gloorx Vloq

true lords of shadow NEVER sleep

Sar

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Ziggurat Zagger

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Post Friday, 23rd May 2014, 19:07

Re: Nightstalker for monsters

just implement trapdoor hydras already

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Crypt Cleanser

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Post Friday, 23rd May 2014, 19:37

Re: Nightstalker for monsters

wheals wrote:How is this different from what trapdoor spiders do?

Can trapdoor spiders move around underground, or if they can, do they wander? I don't really remember. That would be an important difference.

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