Should mobs in the starter zones behave different compared to later zones? For example, take the "weak" skeletons in starter zones vs. "normal" skeletons in higher level zones. The former will usually just wander around and ignore you until you start attacking. While the latter will always attack you, often even once you outlevel them. Also, mobs never seem to be social in starter zones.
What do you think about this? Should the starter zones have less aggressive mobs, so newbies can get through their first levels easier? Or should mobs behave consistently all through the game, so you learn the "right" way to deal with them from the beginning? Should starter zones be "safe" areas where nothing attacks you (unless you attack first, or you're unlucky to run into that lvl 5 orc centurion like in east Freeport)?
Of course, at the game launch the starter zones will be quite full so mob density will be lower than usual, while a player starting later might have trouble if facing lots of aggressive mobs alone. Still, I think I'd prefer having aggressive and social mobs right from the start, which teach me how to deal with them.
Regarding skeletons and undead in general, I liked the idea someone mentioned about being "haunted" . For instance, decaying skeleton, on its last legs, not-so tormented in the spiritual world so that this torment manifests in a decaying skeleton, until put to death, while wandering amilessly (does not atack unless attacked, not enough will to "haunt"- can outrun).
Skeleton, more robust wil not attack, but attacked if attacked and can haunt (you engage, cannot kill, you zone. You zone back in and skeleton- if not killed- remembers you and is either waiting at the zone in for you, or runs at you to attack once you enter).
I think animals, with self-preservation in mind, may or may not attack(depending if hungry or not, rabid or territorial) terrirotial can walk by nest, no problem, if in territory, then they will attack. Rabid, if you are in sight of it, it will attack. A well fed bear, being bigger, may just amble by you. Animals will flee if they are near death.
Insects generally wont attack, but if you step on a snake, it will kick you and may or may not run away or remain and attack. Insects, being somewhat mindless, will relentelssly attack if attacked until one of you dies. INsects, however, forget ( they do not "haunt) so-to-speak). However, insects can swarm. if you stumble on a nest, and bag a worker type, nothing much, if the worker is near a scout, and scout scents it, that scout runs. if scout runs and gets back to nest, telling everyone what just happened, then swarm, to you.
Starter zones should have same mob behavior as other zones. You can make mobs a bit easier as in less hp and dps, but their behavior should be the same so that people learn.
Different behavior algorithms should not be tied to the zone level, but to mob type/faction and game lore. For example, animals can behave in one way, undead in another, city guards in yet another way, mobs on a faction should behave depending on your faction with them.
Aethor said:Starter zones should have same mob behavior as other zones. You can make mobs a bit easier as in less hp and dps, but their behavior should be the same so that people learn.
Different behavior algorithms should not be tied to the zone level, but to mob type/faction and game lore. For example, animals can behave in one way, undead in another, city guards in yet another way, mobs on a faction should behave depending on your faction with them.
Perfect and very well stated.