MOBs are the creatures that walk the MUD. They come in many forms, but the GenMOB family is the most versatile.

Standard MOB types

Standard MOBs are hard-coded for most of their attributes, and only have a few builder-adjustable parameters (primarily level). Standard MOBs cannot be saved with equipment, additional behaviors or effects. As such, Standard MOBs are best used for summoning spells.

GenMOB types

GenMOBs are MOBs that the builder has significant control over their design, equipment, behavior and other special properties.

MODIFYING GENMOBS

Name

This is the true name of the MOB. All interactions (such as combat, buying and selling or spell casting) will use this name.

• It is highly recommended to NOT use color in the name of a mob, since this may create undesirable effects if the MOB uses channels (such as for quests or scripts).
• Avoid using a plural name, such as crickets. Instead, consider using the singular of a group of crickets. This will avoid noun-verb mismatches in mudchat and other behaviors.

Display

This is what players see when they enter the room. The display name should provide a short description of the mob in a sentence describing what they are doing here. For example, A grumpy human stands here.

• Since the display should be a complete sentence, it should end in a period.

Description

This is the long narrative of the mob, which should be used to describe the general attitude of the mob. If the mob is wearing genarmor, do not normally add it to the description of the MOB, since it can be removed from them.

Level

This is the absolute level of the mob. Various methods may be used to provide the mob with specific levels of a class, but the combination will never exceed this level.

Rejuv Ticks

This is the number of Ticks (about 4 seconds per tick) before a dead mob will reappear. By default, lower level MOBs have a smaller reset timer. Having a low reset timer can increase the difficulty of an area, especially if the MOB has a helper behavior. Setting this value to 0 would mean the MOB will only respawn on reboots.

Race

Alignment

Gender

This is either Male, Female or Neuter. Females can bear children when mated with an appropriate male. Neuters can never produce (or help produce) offspring.

Height

Weight

Clans

Actions/Attacks per tick

Attack Adjustment

This should generally be about 1 per level of the MOB. Having a higher value will result in the MOB hitting more frequently.

• Shopkeepers should have an attack adjustment of 1 per 2 levels of the Shopkeeper to draw out the length of the fight.

Damage

This should generally be about 1 per level. Divide this value by 4 if the MOB is intended to use a weapon.

• Shopkeepers should have a base damage value about one third of the above recommendations to draw out the length of the fight.

Armor

This is not an intuitive stat, since it was based on second edition Dungeons and Dragons Armor Class. A perfectly naked human boy standing still would have an armor value of 100. The more armor the boy puts on, the lower his Armor value becomes...so if he put on a breastplate with 30 defense, his armor would become 70. Negative values are permitted.

• The average armor value is (100-5*Level).
• Shopkeepers should have an armor value of (100-10*Level) to draw out the length of the fight.

Hit Point Bonus Modifier

This modifier is used to determine how many hit points the mob will have. The formula for hit points is: Total Hit Points=((Level*Level) + (Random * Level * Hit Point Bonus Modifier

• The average Hit Point Bonus Modifier is 11.
• Shopkeepers should have a Hit Point Bonus Modifier of 33 to draw out the length of the fight.

Money

Money Variation

Abilities

• If an ability is added to a MOB through the Command Line (CL), then the ability is granted at 50%.
• If an ability is added to a MOB through the Grinder, then the ability is granted at 0%.
• If an ability is added to a MOB through a Classness behavior (or the MOB has CombatAbilities), then the ability is granted at 50% + 1% per difference between Mob level and qualifying class level (or lowest qualifying class level for CombatAbilities).

Behaviors

Effects

• Consider granting Vampire MOBs Prop_WeaponImmunity(+all -wood) and Prop_Resistance(slashing bashing 90%). Adjust these values for stronger/weaker vampires.

Dispositions

Senses

Factions

--add notes about faction--

To add a faith, use the FaithHelper behavior, not Faction.

Tattoos

Expertises

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Common MOB-related issues

• Mobs may only be affected by one script at a time. Therefore, if they are affected by a quest script, they may temporarily lose a scripted behavior.
• Players can manipulate MOBs in a variety of fashions that can make the game less enjoyable for other players. Consider this list for your mobs:
  • Players can kill mobs. If a MOB, such as a guildmaster or questgiver, is intended to be a permanent fixture, consider granting them PROP_SAFEPET.
    • Players may still be able to drown/suffocate the mob with various affects. You may wish to adjust the rejuv on the mob to a short period of time (if the mob is of particularly low level so as to not provide players with a great source of XP), or provide them with protection such as SPELL_WATERBREATHING (for air-breathers), CHANT_LANDLUNGS (for water-breathers) or ALLBREATHING.
  • Players can summon mobs away from their rooms. If a MOB, such as a GenShopkeeper, is intended for all players to use, consider providing them with PROP_RESISTANCE(Teleport) or SPELL_ANCHOR to avoid this. MOBs won't reset if they are still alive, so a summoned mob will remain in the new location until something causes them to reset. Note: PROP_SAFEPET may protect from summonings, but in general, GenShopkeepers should not have PROP_SAFEPET so that they may be interacted with (such as robbery or haggle).
  • Players can charm and/or command mobs. This is a normally fine action, but if the MOB is supposed to be available for other players, you may consider granting the mob PROP_RESISTANCE(Mind) or better yet, PROP_NOCHARM and PROP_NOORDERING.
• Players notice naked humaniod mobs. Try to equip them appropriately, or at least order them to do an OUTFIT command and save them with basic gear.