[New Antagonist Design] - Phoenix

[Naelynn]

Hello.

I wanted to do my own spin on the Aurora Gamemode Challenge... so I did.

I present to you the design document on a new antagonist type: Phoenix.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xpcdfhj-dS_qWaRUye-jcVpNNcfgiV-AS4JtAwkbbVY/edit?usp=sharing

Google docs were used to allow me to write from multiple devices (uni, home, etc.).

I am able to supply the sprite work and sounds, and can help with coding - but I don't believe I can do the entire thing on my own. I would appreciate if coders/developers could look at the design.

Thank you very much!

[Brutishcrab51]

I read through the whole thing. I like it, but I don't think there's quite enough here to add these creatures on their own. You proposed some round-types where they'd appear with other antagonists. I like that.

Wizard+Phoenix and Cult+Phoenix. Mercenary+Phoenix works too (Ay-la Kataphrakt example).

Can these Phoenixes fight each other? What are they, necessarily, as antagonists?

[Naelynn]

Hey @Brutishcrab51!

Thank you for replying!

Why do you not think they can stand on their own? I believe that they can be balanced as a reasonably-powerful solo low pop antagonist [somewhere in range of 5-10 ready players]. If you give me a bit more info on what seems to be the issue, I can look into it and let you know!

On the topic of infighting: Yes, it is possible, but sometimes it can be difficult. If both phoenixes are of the same element, then essentially all they're left with is clawing each other until one drops. However, if they each have a different element, the fight suddenly becomes very interesting..

As an antagonist, I've designed Phoenix to be something aurora didn't quite have. We have extra-dimensional invaders [Wizards, cultists], we have future-mega-assassins, we have armies and pirates, we have unnamed horrors [changelings], badly coded decisions trees [malf]... But nowhere in there is it possible to play as a highly intelligent ANIMAL, but animal none the less. I've attempted to create a completely different experience. Most antagonists rely on radio and talking to drive a story, so how do you create an antagonist that doesn't have access to those things? An antagonist that is an animal?

.... You have to give them some way of involving multiple departments - in this case, a ridiculously easy-to-use mobility feature - the ability to phase through walls and airlocks.  And you also have to make sure that they can't just be ignored, even if they hide in maint the entire round. [Ex: Fire phoenix will eventually trip a fire alarm just by being in a maint, electric will cause a power alarm, cold will trip the air alarm due to cold temperature and metal will seek to consume walls - someone's going to notice that if it doesn't vent itself.] 

Finally, phoenixes are able to directly drive a story, primarily through the bonding path which allows them to interact with the crew in a more direct manner [by getting a guy to speak for them]. Roosting path allows one to role play a 'mother hen' very easily, super protective of her young [eggs] but causing damage to the station just by being around. Solitary is an option implemented for phoenixes that specifically want to play the entire round alone - these should usually have a solid gimmick behind them. I tried to make it somewhat balanced, but that is pending.

 

[BoryaTheSlayer]

I like the idea and the concept so far and I'm mostly just posting to bring attention to this. I have yet to read through it.