Bug (18.9.0) - Cannons creating fear when firing messes with the Imps

[rasmus_ljunggren]

The issue is that each time an imp gets close to a cannon it will fire and then all imps in the dungeon will be scared of getting close to it, but only for 10 seconds. So the issue is when a imp have some job like digging or rescuing a wounded creature that are close to that cannon. This makes the available until the imps get close and the cannon fires, and then after 10 seconds it will be available again. Creating a loop where the imps just go back and forth.

[rasmus_ljunggren]

Solved with the next version! Now the cannons and the stone thrower after it has been seen by the player always create the fear area, so imps will not get close to it until it is destroyed.

[Sebt]

Great! This will work great :)

I wonder if this will also prevent Imps from entering areas protected by projectile-based traps, although this would be a rare case. For example, I use the Possession spell to control my creature to somehow get past the traps. Then I find something behind it for the Imps to grab, like an item on the ground or a treasure chest. Would the Imps try to grab one of those?

Another more common case is when there are two ways to get to a point, and one is guarded by traps and the other is clear of enemies. The one with traps is closer to my dungeon. Now, imagine a scenario where one of my creatures gets killed at that point. Will Impsjust take the other path, free of enemeies until the traps on the second path are destroyed?

[rasmus_ljunggren]

No, you can't open chests in possession mode. And yes, the imps will take the road with no enemies :)

[Sebt]

Okay, thanks. What I had in mind was having a possessed creature reveal an area that contains such an item, or a treasure chest, so it could trigger a task for Imps to take the item or open the chest from there, not that I could open it or take an item in possession mode, but good to know. xD

If you say they can't do any tasks there because of traps, then that's really awesome. :D

[rasmus_ljunggren]

Ok, then I understand. Well it is the same as if you would select an area to dig out, the job will be there (just as it would with a treasure chest), but the imps won't find a path there if the fear of a cannon is blocking the way.

[Sebt]

Splendid! I can't wait to try it out. I will able to keep my production chain running uninterrupted in times of rally and hard battles, saving a lot of Imps from death and those tasked with carrying the dead from being killed as well. :v

[rasmus_ljunggren]

Dwelvers Beta v0.18.10.0 released with this bugfix. Please confirm that it has been fixed :)

[Sebt]

Not quite fixed, at least in the case of Imps, they tend to just stop after getting hit, like in this case, so they get another hit and die - https://steamcommunity.com/id/sebtpl/screenshot/2316601738453849545/

Or this Soldier stood there for about 6 seconds after being hit by my cannon and then reacted to the attack of my Impanzees below - https://steamcommunity.com/id/sebtpl/screenshot/2316601738453921427/

Here, on the other hand, I could see that Fishman fled way too early from a single trap shot. Even worse, he didn't flee to my dungeon, but to the other corridor. The same goes for Imps going into unknown corridors - https://steamcommunity.com/id/sebtpl/screenshot/2316601738453922072/

I also sometimes see Imps picking up corpses within range of a cannon, but it was at the edge of that cannon's range, so no Imp was unharmed, so I guess it's okay until they don't get shot.

[rasmus_ljunggren]

Seems like I need to increase the fear radius. Back to unsolved.

[Sebt]

Originally posted by rasmus_ljunggren:

Seems like I need to increase the fear radius. Back to unsolved.

I think the radius of the locking imp from going to places within the range of the enemy cannon, which actually can't hurt any of my imp, is ok as it is, but I found more a weird behavior after being shot by the cannon of other creatures or humans, as if they were shocked by this fact, but I can understand them, being hit by such a heavy ball must cause a headache. :D Shouldn't the cannon cause fear right after shooting a projectile?

[rasmus_ljunggren]

I think the issue is that they do not target the cannon, if they stand there, don't see the cannon and get hurt. Then there is no further action. Perhaps a action would be to either see and attack the cannon or flee from it.

[rasmus_ljunggren]

Solved with the next version! If they attack the cannon or any other creatures. I will put them in a fear mode for 2 seconds making them leave the place.

[rasmus_ljunggren]

Dwelvers Beta v0.18.11.0 released with this bugfix. Please confirm that it has been fixed :)

[Sebt]

Seems to be fixed.

I just wonder, what if there were stronger Imps that could survive a single cannon shot? Does it work now that even they have to run from cannon fire? If there was a health point threshold, so if an Imp had more HP and armor so it wouldn't die from a single cannonball, could it make such an Imp free to pick up my fallen creature even being within the range of a Cannon?

[rasmus_ljunggren]

Well, it is not a perfect system. I think I will need to increase the cannon's fear radius to make that work. But for the cannon to hit an imp at that distance he will actually have to stand still exactly 7-8 tiles away. Perhaps if the player ask him to dig something out there..