Mattcrampy
Level: Smitemaster

Rank Points: 2388
Registered: 05-29-2003
IP: Logged

I've got a better name and some lore ideas for this, but then again, scorpion actually doesn't sound too bad. This is solidly intended as a boss monster and as a possible replacement for the Slayer, although making it longer makes it much easier.

The "scorpion" is a monster that takes up at least five squares - a head, pincers to the left and right, a number of body pieces behind the head and a tail behind the last body. Like a serpent, it can only move orthogonally, but it can rotate one pincer from directly to the side of the head to directly in front of the head, or move the tail 45 degrees (think of the adjacent body piece as Beethro, and the tail as his sword). It is not forced to move at any point.

The head moves only if both pincers will be in valid positions if they move (when turning, then, it has to bring one of the pincers in front of it, and ensure that the other pincer is not in the way of a body piece or the tail). The tail will move into the square occupied by the last body piece.

If the head moves onto Beethro, or hits Beethro with a pincer or with the tail, Beethro is killed. To kill the "scorpion", Beethro must hit any piece of the body. The creature is intelligent enough to defend itself using its pincers and tail, although I'm undecided on what level of intelligence it has (guard seems appropriate, because it has its own weapons and probably should be able to open doors, but wouldn't that be too hard?)

While the monster seems impregneble while standing still, it is quite unwieldy when moving and takes a while to turn, which is conveniently its most vulnerable time. In addition, the creature can be made much easier by making it longer than the minimum three squares, which introduces squares the creature cannot defend. Its intention, however, is to be the focal point of the room.

(Edit: A variation - the "scorpion" can be either defensive or offensive. The difference is the priority the scorpion places on turning - when defensive, it will not turn when Beethro's nearby, instead choosing to use its tail and pincers to defend its body. When offensive, it will much more readily turn. A shift in attitude could be caused by the absence or presence of monsters in the room or by a variety of other fun factors. When brained, as with every other monster, it will be much smarter about getting to Beethro.

____________________________
What do you call an elephant at the North Pole?

---

[Last edited by Mattcrampy at 08-15-2005 03:12 PM]

pouzzler
Level: Delver
Rank Points: 33
Registered: 05-24-2005
IP: Logged

I love the idea of bosses, and this particular one is quite good.
I would love Blanka from Street Fighter, too, as he could quite easily fit-in, as a Sewer Mutant!

rowrow
Level: Smiter
Rank Points: 432
Registered: 08-17-2004
IP: Logged

And once every spawn cycle he shoots lighting out of himself?

____________________________
B'hakhgra Du S'tra Moth'ness Ti!