Mobs overbuffing other mobs

[maximum]

This is a systemic issue. I attempted to research this on the forums with no luck. Bottom line: NPCs are buffing too much (and too high level) for Classic.

For instance, Sebilis frogs. A shaman mob is buffing 100% of the mobs (within range) with SOW. This should be less than 100%, and more random.

Another example: Droga goblins. A fleeing mob (while passing by other goblins) gets Damage Shielded, Healed and SOWed very quickly. It shouldn't be that consistent or fast.

Not sure if it has to do with a NPC's spellbook being too "powerful" or what, exactly.

Others, please reply if you can help describe the problem.

[maximum]

Cross-linking with "mobs too buff" post here: http://www.project1999.org/forums/showthread.php?t=48849

[SamwiseRed]

Evidence? Not trolling but are you going off your 13 year old memory or do you have something to back this up?

[dali_lb]

Same as the thread he cross linked.

In classic, caster mobs did not have a full spellbook. Their casting abillity were limited often 20 and 30 lvl's under their actuall lvl.

That is the reason why they buff better, and also heal a bit better.
The only spells that somewhat followed the lvl's of caster NPC's was Healing spells like Complete Healing.

Correct level spells for NPC's was earliest fixed during Luclin. I don't have a link right now, but those familiar with searching the web for old patch messages should be able to find this, as it was a major update to the game lvl'ing wise when caster mobs actually started to be a pain to fight if you didn't have an arsenal of ways to interupt casting.

How easy or difficult this would be to fix I'm not sure off, but the dev's have fixed many NPC spell levels availability with Kunark going live, but the general cap on lower lvl NPC's during Classic they havn't done anything about, even it has been noted many times by different people.

I know this for a fact as I used to Kill Evil Eyes in Gorge back in 99 with my mage from lvl 18, cause they were so easy to kill due to the fact that their nukes sucked balls. Only thing that was making it interesting was if I used a pet, wich they would sometimes charm and kill me. only thing they casted was a low lvl choke and the first chanter dd wich was pathetic and the ocassional Fear or blind spell, so they only took 1 bolt and 2 dd's to kill.

[maximum]

Does anyone have old screenshots with NPC spell messages? This would probably be the best evidence.

[Splorf22]

I would like to add that I don't remember caster npcs being utter rapetrains in classic, but I have no real evidence for it.

Part of the problem is that PC resists are just screwed. With 100+ CR I resist like 1/3 of spells from blue con goblin wizards at 27.

Also, the sign on the door says classic Everquest. If we are going to take away useful conveniences like the compass than for sure these ridiculous caster npcs need a solid whack from the nerf bat.

[cyryllis]

there are other threads on this issue, and yeah caster npcs during the first couple of years were very stupid. I remember in sebilis, the wizards would spend more time trying to cast shitty aes or root you- none of this chain ice comet bs.

[Handull]

i think some mobs even cast velious era spells, which goes along with the theory that this caster bug stems from the emu code, etc

[OluMide]

Evidence? Not trolling but are you going off your 13 year old memory or do you have something to back this up?

Poked through some of the old patch notes on Allakhazam, the best evidence I could find for this comes from here:

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/history/patches-2002-1.html

Scroll down to the bottom to find it (June 12th, 2002)

For the lazy...


** NPC Spell Caster Changes **

- NPCs are now bound by spell casting distance rules, meaning that an
NPC's spell will no longer connect from halfway across the zone
- NPCs now have a chance to be interrupted by normal combat when
casting newer spells
- NPCs that are much lower level than their target have had their
potential casting damage reduced using a similar mechanic to the one
that player characters' level differences use
- NPC Wizards no longer have an inherent bonus to their fire and cold
based spells
- Most NPCs that had previously had their spellcasting level inflated
to make up for poor spell selection have been brought back into line
with their actual level
- NPCs no longer automatically get free access to rarely dropped
spells, such as Garrison's Superior Sundering and Funeral Pyre of
Kelador.


Bolded what I think is the key part. They were stronger spell casters, just retarded in their choice of spells.

[maximum]

Does anyone have an old chat log with a high-level NPC casting low-level spells (or odd spells)?

[maximum]

Poked through some of the old patch notes on Allakhazam, the best evidence I could find for this comes from here:

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/history/patches-2002-1.html

Scroll down to the bottom to find it (June 12th, 2002)

For the lazy...


** NPC Spell Caster Changes **

- NPCs are now bound by spell casting distance rules, meaning that an
NPC's spell will no longer connect from halfway across the zone
- NPCs now have a chance to be interrupted by normal combat when
casting newer spells
- NPCs that are much lower level than their target have had their
potential casting damage reduced using a similar mechanic to the one
that player characters' level differences use
- NPC Wizards no longer have an inherent bonus to their fire and cold
based spells
- Most NPCs that had previously had their spellcasting level inflated
to make up for poor spell selection have been brought back into line
with their actual level
- NPCs no longer automatically get free access to rarely dropped
spells, such as Garrison's Superior Sundering and Funeral Pyre of
Kelador.


Bolded what I think is the key part. They were stronger spell casters, just retarded in their choice of spells.

[TWDL_Prexus]

-
Most NPCs that had previously had their spellcasting level inflated
to make up for poor spell selection have been brought back into line
with their actual level


What that means to me is that sometime in probably Luclin casters were buffed because classically they didn't cast level appropriate spells, and didn't use them as well. Then in 2002 they finally fixed them. On this server caster NPC's are using the wrong spells, and are way too smart with them.

[eqmaze]

this
On this server caster NPC's are using the wrong spells, and are way too smart with them.

[Nirgon]

Caster mobs were a total joke. They just casted dumb shit like force shock in classic era. None of this conflag/ice comet stuff.

[heartbrand]

Caster mobs were a total joke. They just casted dumb shit like force shock in classic era. None of this conflag/ice comet stuff.

[Ambrotos]

The wizard NPCs in Sky use Luclin+ spells also.

[quido]

Yeah, Hoshkar casting a Luclin or PoP era pet doesn't seem quite right to me.

[Rettii]

The wizard NPCs in Sky use Luclin+ spells also.

Yeah, Hoshkar casting a Luclin or PoP era pet doesn't seem quite right to me.

wonder if Arzak put a ticket in for these problems? :eek:

[Nirgon]

2001 era, source (http://web.archive.org/web/20010522082709/http://www.everlore.com/bestiary/beastdetails.asp?mode=show&BID=142944)

7/11/2000, illis wizard:

This is usually the place holder for "Gruplinort", the frog with the bonecaster robe. Illis wizard is lvl 53 from my experience and has about 14325 hps. He's quite a handful for one group to kill and even gives trouble to two groups. He does cast Ice comet and Gravity flux. He also hits for 149ish

(read for more)

Need to find the real date when this was changed. I do recall ice comet being added to these fuckers and not being in immediately. I think both servers are at the time line these mobs should be casting ice comets and shite.

[maximum]

The wizard NPCs in Sky use Luclin+ spells also.

See also: http://www.project1999.org/forums/showthread.php?t=106118