Suggesstion: 2 New Zombies

[Stevensonz]

Leaper Zombie which Leaps to attack like other monsters when near and stuns you for 1 turn (20% chance) if character is stunned auto applies grab for X number of turns until broken (Grabbed character cannot be stunned again as it requires the leap attack) low spawn chance (Counted as Special and Cannot Have more than 1 at once) fast moving and high hit points 100-140 hp DMG same or better than zombie soldier

Long Tongue Zombie which attempts to grab you at longer distance 3-6 tiles and applying medium dmg like zombie soldier attack from grab per turn until grab is broken (Long tongue like a giant frogs) maybe every 3-5 turns when spotted? (Counts as sort of an instant action/gun shot for long range grab so player cannot move out of grab range and avoid grab unless player dodges the attack) normal zombie movement and high hit points 100-120hp DMG same or better than zombie soldier. medium spawn chance Cannot have more than two 2 at once and cannot be double grabbed. "Smoker zombies technically could get this upgrade as to make them decent so not only can you die from being grabbed and pounded by a horde but also asphyxiating from smoke as well" (Unless there will be some copyright issue or whatever I don't see the point of not upgrading them)

Should make fighting zombies a little harder as Electric shocks from Shocker Zombies seems to do nothing for dmg and pain and you can't get acid burning status from Spitter zombies (which acid burning status should apply pain and dmg but not break inventory items or destroy overlayer clothing too much like being set on fire)

[jvarnes]

I won't offer an opinion on your suggestions, but did want to point out that the jumping spider already has a similar behavior (not identical obviously) to your leaper zombie suggestion. Would it be better to limit monsters that have similar attack methods in order to preserve the uniqueness of those attacks?

The long tongue zombie sounds a little like a ranged grabber zombie (and has the frogs special ability?). Additionally it is another L4D reference of which there seem to be a lot currently (smoker, boomer, shrieker, etc.) Actually thinking about it was the impetus behind the leaper also a L4D inspired idea? (the hunter or whatever it is in Left 4 Dead that wears a hoodie and pounces on victims?)

PS - Just trying to be constructive not critical.

[Stevensonz]

yeah basically an idea from Left 4 Dead, well when those zombies are added it would make the game a little harder as zombies are easy to defeat in this game except the Hulk when you don't have good guns or IMBA stats,skills,mutation,bionics for melee. I wonder about the game balance issues if zombies wield Melee weapons...

[jvarnes]

Having a zombie with a melee weapon might be an interesting change/addition.

For example a "Butcher Zombie" that is a large zombie with additional health and wields a meat cleaver. Idea inspired both by the mini boss in Diablo and several zombie films / games where a bloated, meat clever wielding zombie is encountered around diners and kitchen areas (actually I vaguely recall a movie scene where something like this was encountered in the meat department of a grocery store but the exact movie escapes me now...)

Another idea might be a fireman zombie that carries a fire axe. His fire fighting gear (coat, jumpsuit, helmet, boots, etc.) might offer him additional protection making him harder to kill in early game play.

[narc0tiq]

For that matter, some of the soldier (and cop) zombies should be carrying weapons. Might not be able to use the firearms normally, but they can still bash you with them. Heck, while we're at it, the occasional normal Z wielding (as opposed to just "carrying") a broom, mop, wrench, screwdriver, etc. and actually using them on you.

[jvarnes]

I'm not sure that a lot of zombies should do this (as the classic zombie personified in film and writing uses only it's hands and teeth to maw it's victims), but rather just a few to make them varied and interesting. Though I DO think that some "themed" zombies should be carrying appropriate loot (scientist zombie with lab coats, rubber gloves and beakers, cop should have an occasional holster and/or empty gun, same with soldier having broken rifle and army helmet, etc.).

In addition the occasional zombie generated with a unique set of loot would interesting. Some random ideas (a few of which might require new mostly useless decorative items):

1) Zombie mechanic with overalls and tools 2) Drug dealer zombie with hoodie, sneakers and weed 3) "Hooker" zombie with dress, heels and crack pipe 4) Jogger/sports zombie with sneakers, shorts, t-shirt & energy drink 5) Nurse/paramedic zombie with scrubs, aspirin & bloody rags 6) Bride zombie with Bridal Gown and bouquet of dead flowers 7) Groom/wealthy zombie with suit, dress shoes & top hat (optional monocle and/or cane? ;) 8) Office worker zombie with dress shirt, pants, dress shoes, eyeglasses & clipboard 9) Bike messenger zombie with t-shirt, shorts, sneakers, bike helmet & messenger bag 10) Hiker zombie with t-shirt, shorts, sneakers, trail mix & backpack 11) Lumberjack zombie with flannel shirt, jeans, boots & axe 12) Football player zombie with football helmet, pads, cleats & football

and so forth. Actually that's quite fun to come up with themes. Not saying that this should supersede complete randomness just that it might be interesting to have the occasional correct mix of items from which a player could draw a conclusion about what the zombie was pre-catclysm.

[TheDarklingWolf]

I wouldn't want zombies consciously using weapons, but I'm fine with cases where they were carrying the thing when they died (Possibly attempting to defend themselves against the horde) and just hold on to it in death. They wouldn't be dancing around parrying your shots, but they might smack you in the face with the two by four they have a death grip on.

[jvarnes]

My thinking was the dim fragments of memory that the occasional zombie might have from a lifetime of chopping stuff up (butcher, lumberjack, etc.). but yeah I don't think a mechanic zombie should be attacking with a screwdriver / crowbar or a zombie priest thumping you over the head with his bible (though I do find some ironic humor in the last one ;)

Oh that gives me an idea for priest (robes & bible), nun (habit & rosary beads) and carpenter (overalls, hammer & nails) themed zombies.

Unless religious themed zombies seem too controversial (more controversial then children zombies? jk;)

[kevingranade]

We actually do have themed outfits, though they drop at death, they aren't present when the zombie is walking around. On May 20, 2013 8:33 AM, "jvarnes" notifications@github.com wrote:

My thinking was the dim fragments of memory that the occasional zombie might\ have from a lifetime of chopping stuff up (butcher, lumberjack, etc.). but yeah I don't think a mechanic zombie should be attacking with a screwdriver / crowbar or a zombie priest thumping you over the head with his bible (though I do find some ironic humor in the last one ;)

Oh that gives me an idea for priest (robes & bible), nun (habit & rosary beads) and carpenter (overalls, hammer & nails) themed zombies.

Unless religious themed zombies seem too controversial (more controversial then children zombies? jk;)

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/TheDarklingWolf/Cataclysm-DDA/issues/1074#issuecomment-18153887 .

[Stevensonz]

well if melee wielding zombies do get implemented it would justify the disarm and defense: disarm as that martial art would have a use and make the game interesting (like dying to a Machete,Fire Axe,Butcher Knife wielding zombie though if static stronger melee weapons that do more dmg would be wielded then they should be a new zombie class like a chainsaw-on wielding zombie like in Resident Evil and Sledge Hammer wielding Construction Worker Zombie) Heck if I hear a chainsaw sound nearby and find that it's a chainsaw wielding zombie I will definitely run unless I have a ranged weapon.

[jvarnes]

Instead of zombies consciously using weapons what about a new class of extremely rare creature that does - ghoul? cannibal? eater-of-the-dead? madman? lunatic?

Chainsaw-wielding lunatic (shudder)