Shattered Kingdoms

Haven't had time to log on since the code-change so not going to comment directly on that... But I will say that I thiiink it might make it a wee too difficult for lowbie chars to level...

One thing I think needs to be considered is that for many "low-damage" or mana dependant classes, grouping up with a same-level merc/barb/swash for tanking is going to reduce their damage dealt pr fight to around 10% (what is meant here is 10% of the NPCs hp's before the tank has finished it) because the fighter classes deal a shitload of damage compared to them, thus gimping their exp severely... For many classes, using a pet was really the only option because it enabled you to deal almost all the damage to the NPC with your spells, granting you decent exp anyhow... Also considering that with a mana-user you have to rest up once in a while to regain your mana, giving you more downtime than a warrior in steel armor wading through the hits, killing everything in his path...

Okay, since the knee jerk reaction has gone down, let's try to put this calmly.

I'd assume the purpose of D's AI tweakery, is to make the AI more "lifelike". However, PC's don't walk around with seemingly infinite arrows, spears, axes, or (god forbid) boulders, because we just don't have the weight capacity for it. So, the ability to throw objects back (save for boulders), is really negated here - and most pcs, fight with both hands occupied. Shield block, or a 2h weapon. There's really no consideration for auto throwing something back that stuck in you - unless it's a shooting fight with arrows. If something like this were to make npcs closer to pcs, then you may as well remove the upper weight limit for pcs.

Alternatively, (because that's a preposterous solution), I would suggest giving npcs the ability to draw one short-range(sword/axe/dagger), od one medium range (polearm of some sort) from those dimensional pockets and wield them, instead of the infinite ammo. Because this isn't going to be popular, either...

Another alternative, is possibly to code an item that retrieves ammo from this dimensional pocket (A finite amount, then this item disentegrates!) and give this to the NPC - if the NPC doesn't use them all, the pc certainly can make use of the remainder - without it drawing on his weight. This would make sense to me. And if the pc uses them all, the bag disintegrates, and he has to rely on another strategy.

In conclusion, I don't believe that NPCs mimic the intelligence of PCs at the present. I believe their recent addition has split the line further between NPC, and PC - and it is my fervent hope that some sort of measure be done to bridge that gap again.

cc: Dulrik

The ammunition is not unlimited. They will run out of PE pretty quickly, especially at lower levels.

A

Yeah, like right after they kill the PC

No offense but i am going to have to agree with everyone else on this throwing abilty. It does seem unfair for grouped characters and I DO like the whole A.I. idea to make them stronger but do you really want to make it so there are mad Players because i think theyll take that aggression out on other Players... I agree to agree and disagree, if that makes any sense...

Since NPCs can magically know who is the group leader, can the players learn it to. For example glance dwarf. A blond dwarf is here in front of a red sprite who is the group's leader.

No no no. NPCs throwing poo is fine. Just fine.


Everyone abandon anything other than a dwarf barb. Shattered Kingdoms will change it's name to Kingdoms of Miners. Then when you get axes thrown at you, you wont be hurt with 25 CON (omgz!!) and you can throw them back with the 1337 dwarf bonus (omgzX2!!!).

Oracle quests and reincarnate are now the only ways to come back to life. Thank you for staying. Come again soon. Bye bye Pbase.

If everything is going to be made to be just like a PC then you should just give more xp for killing REAL PC's so I can level off them and have fun doing it, testing REAL Intellgence with people that have REAL limitations.

YES!!!!!

When you e-drain someone it should give the XP that your drain to you.

If you kill a PC, or even if you land a blow on a PC it should give you XP.

If NPC's are being melded to be more PC like it only makes sense.

Think about the mentor giant merc that has joined a cabal and is drug into PKing constantly. They fight far more PC's of GM than they do in "training". They fight everyday, pkilling smart adept players with good sets of EQ. I know several people that do this. And they are not "twinks". For one, lets say Drale, with his current char he fights non-stop. He PK's. Some of us seek the story, and some of us seek blood. For those that seek the story there is the reward of IMM laden rewards such as enlights, equipment and the story. For those that are in for the PK, it is only lewt.

Fighting a real person is harder than fighting an NPC, no matter the code. There will always be real-live intellect.

Let there be some sort of reward.

Let fighting a PC give XP.

I'm in favor hatchets being thrown.

I'll support this argument by saying that every supernatural serial killing murderer, like Jason Voorhees, has employed the hatchet to the face attack, brilliantly dispatching his opponents. Let's face it, Jason is typecast as a PKer. He trounces through unsuspecting newbies with the element of surprise on his side, and more often than not doesn't stop to roleplay with his victims.

On the other hand, pussies like Michael Myers use knives. I dunno wtf, that's about, he got beat up by Booker T or someone, I can't remember his name. The guy even spit out the line, "trick or treat, [REDACTED]." I dunno, after a verbal assault like that it's kind of hard to want to keep PKing.

In review, hatchets are good, knives are bad. I don't know what to even think about javelins since Olympic athletes can't even gank somebody with one.

I even wrote a poem to state how awesome it is to use the hatchet to the face teknik, I call it, 'In my element'.

I put on my hockey mask and overalls
I open the door and walk outside
I look down the street
I see a kid in a parka
I hate him
I throw my hatchet and it sticks in his forehead
I grin behind the mask
I am in my element