New Monsters

A couple thoughts about the new monsters:

Between the invisible the skaarj and krall, the krall only seems to have a health bar above it when it is visible (I have awareness 1). The skaarj always has a health bar.

The invisible krall can be locked on by an avril. Was this on purpose?

Are extra points awarded for a poison pupae over a regular pupae? Nasty little buggers. Same goes for metal titans.

The red skaarjs are pretty tough, as everyone else has been noting, but I think they're a perfect challenge. Same goes for the freezing krall. Just the right amount of freezing delays.

ECHO wrote:

A couple thoughts about the new monsters:

Thanks, feedback always appreciated.

ECHO wrote:

Between the invisible the skaarj and krall, the krall only seems to have a health bar above it when it is visible (I have awareness 1). The skaarj always has a health bar.

There is a difference. The krall is supposed to be invisible when it is not firing, so it would ruin it with the health bar. The main feature of the Ghost Skaarj is that it can fly. I gave it a faded look to fit in with its name and flying ability, but it would be unfair to not have the health bar on it.

ECHO wrote:

The invisible krall can be locked on by an avril. Was this on purpose?

Nope. What's the general feeling? I can't remember if the invisible krall shows up on the radar?

ECHO wrote:

Are extra points awarded for a poison pupae over a regular pupae? Nasty little buggers. Same goes for metal titans.

PoisonPupae has the same health and xp as the standard pupae (60 health and 1 xp). Standard titan is 900 health and 16 xp, metaltitan 1300 health and 18 xp. Perhaps the PoisonPupae ought to have 2 xp, and perhaps the metal titan ought to only have 1100 health?

ECHO wrote:

The red skaarjs are pretty tough, as everyone else has been noting, but I think they're a perfect challenge.

The redSkaarj has 250 health and 8 xp, compared to the 150 health and 7 xp of the standard metal and fire skaarjs. So, yes a bit tougher, and they can hit hard. So I made them bright so you can easily see the danger. Perhaps it should have been 200 health rather than 250?

ECHO wrote:

Same goes for the freezing krall. Just the right amount of freezing delays.

Freezing krall has 140 health and 5 xp, compared to 100 health and 3 xp of the elitekrall.

With the PoisonPupae and the IceKrall, what I wanted to achieve was the panic when you saw them. They don't actually hurt that badly.

Nope. What's the general feeling? I can't remember if the invisible krall shows up on the radar?

Since krall aren't very large and cannot fly, it seems overkill to be able to lock on them with avrils. I can't remember if they show up on the radar either.

PoisonPupae has the same health and xp as the standard pupae (60 health and 1 xp). Standard titan is 900 health and 16 xp, metaltitan 1300 health and 18 xp. Perhaps the PoisonPupae ought to have 2 xp, and perhaps the metal titan ought to only have 1100 health?

PoisonPupae could probably be raised to 2 xp. Metal titans could stay as is, unless someone else feels they're too powerful (I can see them being a little overwhelming to a new player, I'll have to try it with my medic).

With the PoisonPupae and the IceKrall, what I wanted to achieve was the panic when you saw them. They don't actually hurt that badly.

I'm more panicked by the pupae than the krall because they're a little more difficult to shoot and stay away from. The krall just causes me to dodge more shots

Sweet new monsters...

How 'bout an attempt at a Null Entropy Warlord (drus idea) and an Ice Queen? :>

One more thing (although it has more to do with wave configuration than the new monsters)

The extremely high frequency of nalis presents two problems. It's extremely easy to get overwhelmed by nalis on the first wave (I'm sure it's much harder for low level players). I have also been able to get several head hunters within the first wave. Normally it isn't until at least wave 7 or so that I get a head hunter.

ECHO wrote:

I have also been able to get several head hunters within the first wave.

Ditto. 'Head Hunter' has been a virtual gimme w/ the new wave configurations. I'd suggest scaling back the Nalis a bit to make us work for it.

I like the new monsters (kudos!) and find them appropriately challenging. From my perspective:

The redSkaarj could use a little more HP. (300HP?) They're too easy to mow down up close and, being day-glo red, are easy pickings at a distance.

PoisonPupae are good at 1XP. Anything more makes them an XP buffet.

MetalTitans are a PITA, and that's a good thing.

reyalsnogard wrote:

The redSkaarj could use a little more HP. (300HP?) They're too easy to mow down up close and, being day-glo red, are easy pickings at a distance.

Too easy? Have you ever been attacked by two lava skaarjs from behind? Instakill. In some ways they're worse than titans. Harder to hit, moves faster, fires faster and has better aim. (well, maybe not so much better aim in the sense that they can direct hit you from afar, but you're likely to run into lava charges on the ground")

ECHO wrote:

(well, maybe not so much better aim in the sense that they can direct hit you from afar, but you're likely to run into lava charges on the ground")

It often amazes me how people attribute their inability to watch where they're going to a monster's skill.

BotFodder wrote:

It often amazes me how people attribute their inability to watch where they're going to a monster's skill.

It's not like I don't pay attention... I'm selective about what I run into

Good thing I'm wearing boots

ECHO wrote:

I'm selective about what I run into

If media has taught us anything, it's that turtles are innately drawn towards glowing ooze.

I like the new monsters, but it has vastly changed the play late at night with just a few people on...

Invisble Flying Skarrj == Szlat Must Die

Bot, I've found that the chain gun is the best defense against them.

BotFodder wrote:

Invisble Flying Skarrj == Szlat Must Die

Tricky little buggers. An avril usually does the trick for me.