Creation of a monster database
Posted: 01 Mar 2008, 03:01
The monster database, basic monster AI and the core gameplay mechanics of TMW are now implemented on TMWServ. This means that the time has come to form a task force and start with making up stats for all monsters and create a monsters.xml for the new server.
Note that this database isn't intended to be set in stone forever. Creating a perfectly balanced monster database is impossible in the current stage of development because player characters don't possess any magical abilities or special attacks yet, the item database is also just a proof of concept and yadda, yadda, yadda... But we still need a provisorical monster database now so we can start a public beta test. We can refine and balance the database during this test, but we need something to start with.
The currently used example database can be found on subversion or in the windows build I published in the last development report. The documentation can be found on the wiki.
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/Monster_Database
Also note the following articles for better understanding the underlying game mechanics:
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/Combat_system
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/ ... nd_dodging
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/ ... alculation
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/Attributes
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/Skill_system
The monster database currently on SVN includes all the monsters which are already in the eAthena game but it only includes name, graphics, sounds and item drops for most monsters. Only four example monsters already have attributes, behavior and experience reward. But these stats are optimized for demonstrating and testing different monster characteristics and not for real gameplay. So they should be replaced, too.
Note that monsters which use dynamic recoloring don't have to use the same colors on TMWServ. There is no problem with having pink, blue and brown slimes, for example. Just define a different color ramp in the sprite tag. A mantis ticket for converting more monsters to dynamic recoloring so that you can create more different version of the same monster is already opened.
Note that this database isn't intended to be set in stone forever. Creating a perfectly balanced monster database is impossible in the current stage of development because player characters don't possess any magical abilities or special attacks yet, the item database is also just a proof of concept and yadda, yadda, yadda... But we still need a provisorical monster database now so we can start a public beta test. We can refine and balance the database during this test, but we need something to start with.
The currently used example database can be found on subversion or in the windows build I published in the last development report. The documentation can be found on the wiki.
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/Monster_Database
Also note the following articles for better understanding the underlying game mechanics:
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/Combat_system
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/ ... nd_dodging
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/ ... alculation
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/Attributes
http://wiki.themanaworld.org/index.php/Skill_system
The monster database currently on SVN includes all the monsters which are already in the eAthena game but it only includes name, graphics, sounds and item drops for most monsters. Only four example monsters already have attributes, behavior and experience reward. But these stats are optimized for demonstrating and testing different monster characteristics and not for real gameplay. So they should be replaced, too.
Note that monsters which use dynamic recoloring don't have to use the same colors on TMWServ. There is no problem with having pink, blue and brown slimes, for example. Just define a different color ramp in the sprite tag. A mantis ticket for converting more monsters to dynamic recoloring so that you can create more different version of the same monster is already opened.