So how does an arseton stack up against a donkeytonne or a goatload?
As a possible alternative to engineering an AI guidance package to include in spells, how about if they have a two-stage effect, first with a proximity trigger that makes the shot explode like a firework or a net, then any submunitions that hit suck in the rest? It seems like a much easier behavior to describe than target recognition and tracking - all they have to track is other parts of the spell that switch over to "Ooh, ooh, I hit sump'in, Moe!" mode. Actually, that sounds the same as what I suggested before, just explained a little better, and with justification for calling it a Curly Shot despite not trailing a spiraling streamer of light.
Could you get your Wide Area Search motes to do some kind of target designator duty, to increase fire-and-forget capability on the salvo shots?
How about something like the Magnet spells from Kingdom Hearts, where you throw a big blob o' g-mana near an enemy or group of them, and it sucks them up to spin around for a while while getting crushed a bit, and generally hanging there disoriented and helpless? I think there's something like it in Mass Effect too, though I haven't played those.
A simpler effect that you could try first would be a "time release" version of your current Sit Boy Missile that messes with an enemy's movement and sense of balance by making the gravity they experience fluctuate randomly for a few seconds.
I already mentioned the "fly on a boulder" trick, but how about ripping up a small squadron of cement sidewalk slabs or large stones at some point and using them as shields/battering rams?
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows
As a possible alternative to engineering an AI guidance package to include in spells, how about if they have a two-stage effect, first with a proximity trigger that makes the shot explode like a firework or a net, then any submunitions that hit suck in the rest? It seems like a much easier behavior to describe than target recognition and tracking - all they have to track is other parts of the spell that switch over to "Ooh, ooh, I hit sump'in, Moe!" mode. Actually, that sounds the same as what I suggested before, just explained a little better, and with justification for calling it a Curly Shot despite not trailing a spiraling streamer of light.
Could you get your Wide Area Search motes to do some kind of target designator duty, to increase fire-and-forget capability on the salvo shots?
How about something like the Magnet spells from Kingdom Hearts, where you throw a big blob o' g-mana near an enemy or group of them, and it sucks them up to spin around for a while while getting crushed a bit, and generally hanging there disoriented and helpless? I think there's something like it in Mass Effect too, though I haven't played those.
A simpler effect that you could try first would be a "time release" version of your current Sit Boy Missile that messes with an enemy's movement and sense of balance by making the gravity they experience fluctuate randomly for a few seconds.
I already mentioned the "fly on a boulder" trick, but how about ripping up a small squadron of cement sidewalk slabs or large stones at some point and using them as shields/battering rams?
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows