Quote:
Originally Posted by Raev
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Theory #1: NPCs in classic EQ had three attack modes: - initial engage: Every server tick the NPC would check for KOS PCs in it's aggro range and attack them. Sneak eliminates this check while behind the NPC and reduces it in front.
- call for help: When an NPC is first engaged/engages a PC, it immediately calls for help to nearby NPCs who respond if it is inside their assist radius. Sneak eliminates this check while behind the NPC and reduces it in front.
- assist: Every server tick the NPC checks for engaged NPCs in it's assist radius and assists them. Sneak does NOT affect this check.
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And here comes my pal Lor to tackle the higher fruit.
This mostly matches my experiences. I've bolded the parts that I'm not sure of (or disagree with).
A couple minor bits though. More looking to address the mechanics of NPC aggro versus discuss specifically sneak here. Sneak is obviously more complicated than invis, but invis's simplicity gives us a cleaner look to start with.
I think part 1 of this theory is spot on. I'm not sure if the aggro tick is on the same sever tick interval (ie when HP/mana regen) or if it is 6 seconds. But a common scenario of running past see-invis mobs and often times either the mob wouldnt aggro or someone other than the first person to run through would pull aggro. The best evidence for aggro being on some sort of a server side tick is the existence of circlet of shadow shenanigans.
In terms of #2, I agree that when a mob is aggroed, it immediately calls for help.
When doing this with invis on live, anything in the initial assist radius would aggro if it were social. Didn't matter if you were invis or not. Range to target was a factor. I.E you could have nearby mobs not assist on initial aggro if you were firing at max range with a Doomshade Bow. But that's another thread entirely.
Part #3 is where I have the most issue. I obviously agree with mobs periodically calling for assistance outside the initial aggro. However, this is where I believe con-changes like invis or sneak function. On live, you could pull a mob, be invis, and parade it through social mobs who would not assist unless they saw through invis.
I look at sneak functioning the same as a positional invisibility for these mechanics. Could be definitely be wrong on sneak functioning like this though.
Going to try to re-install EQlive this week and fuck-around as this shit is a lot easier to demonstrate with a video than words.