Hunger-causing monsters

[Mangojuice]

So for the next non-patch version of Z+Angband, I've decided to implement a new type of monster attack: attacks that cause hunger. Basically, it would drain your level of nourishment by a number of turns based on the monster's level.

So anyway, I think it's a neat idea, but could be tricky to implement in a way that isn't super super dangerous: after all, if a monster can make you hit starvation levels, it's like a paralysis attack that no resistance can help against.

I'd like to hear input on what kinds of monsters should have this ability. So far, here's what I'm thinking.

1. I'd like to make this a standard attack of all Wights, perhaps replacing their Drain Experience attacks, or augmenting it. (I've felt for a while that Wights were much less dangerous than they should be, maybe this would help.)
2. A hunger-causing jelly
3. A hunger-causing, multiplying worm mass
4. A hunger-causing snake
5. A hunger-causing mimic (perhaps the Lurker or Chest mimic)

Any other ideas? Comments?

[Zikke]

I believe this feature is implemented in FA, though not sure on how many different monsters have this "talent". It works pretty well from what I can tell. Not very dangerous unless they drain you down to *weak from hunger* but a fun variation on typical monster abilities.

[Narvius]

A lvl 20-30 hunger-causing worm mass that appears in groups. The next insta-death encounter =D

Probably Slow Digestion resists cause hunger?
Maybe Priests can "Cause Hunger" (similar to "Cause Wounds")...

[Zikke]

Originally Posted by Narvius

A lvl 20-30 hunger-causing worm mass that appears in groups. The next insta-death encounter =D

And it should be called.........



... the Tape Worm (ooh bad joke)

[Narvius]

^.^

Maybe an effect that decreases hunger level for a time, but by a huge amount. For example from normal to weak from hunger for 10
average turns.

[Mangojuice]

Originally Posted by Narvius

A lvl 20-30 hunger-causing worm mass that appears in groups. The next insta-death encounter =D

Probably Slow Digestion resists cause hunger?
Maybe Priests can "Cause Hunger" (similar to "Cause Wounds")...

Yes, I was planning to have Slow Digestion give a limited resistance, similar to how it slows your gradual hungering over time. But not a complete resistance.

I might add a cause hunger effect to one of the cause wounds / cursing spells, too. But I probably wouldn't make it its own spell.

(And the name I have in mind for the worm mass would be "Parasitic worm mass"... but no, it should NOT appear in groups.)

[Narvius]

Originally Posted by Mangojuice

I might add a cause hunger effect to one of the cause wounds / cursing spells, too. But I probably wouldn't make it its own spell.

I don't see how causing wounds would make you hungry, but well, you're the dev ^.^