Bio Engineer Archive
Thread: attacked without a break in maskscent: more info
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lammergeier
Tue Sep 07, 2004 4:02 pm
#1
our correspondent, NancyJ, noted in the FAFAQ:
Why do I get attacked without my mask scent breaking?
This *should* only happen in caves or near static loot spawns.
It is to prevent caves being looted without the mobs in them being killed. This can be a problem for BE's trying to sample cave critters but can be avoided if you know to expect it.
Remember it is possible to sneak up to any creature without mask scent - just very difficult - I have personally sampled mutant rancors without mask scent so it isnt impossible.
I've found a few more instances where this is happening:
1) if you're grouped, you can pull a 'group aggro'. since most BioE's I know go after DNA solo, this isn't usually a problem... but it is something to be aware of.
2) if you've done ANY damage to a creature, approaching it will usually pull aggro, even if you drop combat, /peace, and /mask. I have /peace macro'd into my /tame and /sampleDNA, and I keep my weapon unequipped. usually, this keeps me from damaging prospective donors.
3) lowly shaupauts and squills (among others) can attack without breaking maskscent... I suspect that this is a behavior linked to the 'Stalker: yes' flag. I've had critters pick up my scent-trail and follow me in to attack, even though mask is up and working when they get to me. with novice ranger, you'll get 'it seems you are being stalked by...' messages. creatures can only stalk you while maskscent is down, but if you /mask once stalked, the creature may still be able to hunt you down. I HAVE been attacked (rarely) without EVER breaking mask or getting a stalked message... again, it seems that stalker-types are the ones with this behavior.
I'd appreciate any comment on these observations, as they're anecdotal at best. it's hard to test the circumstances of #3 with any hard data, but the more people we have looking for information, the better equipped we are to deal with this AI.
Why do I get attacked without my mask scent breaking?
This *should* only happen in caves or near static loot spawns.
It is to prevent caves being looted without the mobs in them being killed. This can be a problem for BE's trying to sample cave critters but can be avoided if you know to expect it.
Remember it is possible to sneak up to any creature without mask scent - just very difficult - I have personally sampled mutant rancors without mask scent so it isnt impossible.
I've found a few more instances where this is happening:
1) if you're grouped, you can pull a 'group aggro'. since most BioE's I know go after DNA solo, this isn't usually a problem... but it is something to be aware of.
2) if you've done ANY damage to a creature, approaching it will usually pull aggro, even if you drop combat, /peace, and /mask. I have /peace macro'd into my /tame and /sampleDNA, and I keep my weapon unequipped. usually, this keeps me from damaging prospective donors.
3) lowly shaupauts and squills (among others) can attack without breaking maskscent... I suspect that this is a behavior linked to the 'Stalker: yes' flag. I've had critters pick up my scent-trail and follow me in to attack, even though mask is up and working when they get to me. with novice ranger, you'll get 'it seems you are being stalked by...' messages. creatures can only stalk you while maskscent is down, but if you /mask once stalked, the creature may still be able to hunt you down. I HAVE been attacked (rarely) without EVER breaking mask or getting a stalked message... again, it seems that stalker-types are the ones with this behavior.
I'd appreciate any comment on these observations, as they're anecdotal at best. it's hard to test the circumstances of #3 with any hard data, but the more people we have looking for information, the better equipped we are to deal with this AI.
shargus
Tue Sep 07, 2004 6:31 pm
#2
I haven't tracked it down to the level you have but I do get attacked periodically for no reason with mask scent still up. I am peaced out, no weapon enabled (since I have not combat skills :smileyhappy
and masked when this occurs. I'll pay more attention to see if the creature is a stalker next time though.
and masked when this occurs. I'll pay more attention to see if the creature is a stalker next time though.
Meplorium
Tue Sep 07, 2004 6:55 pm
#3
I often get attack if I've already been noticed by the critter and then remask. Seems once it knows you are there, it knows. This does happen more often with the more vicious critters, so maybe that stocker thing has something to it or just the feriousity level.
NancyJ
Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:14 am
#4
I sometimes get attack for no reason at all - I'm a ranger so I know what I'm being tracked.
Yes if your scent drops and you get stalked occasionally you will get attacked even if you put your scent back up but sometimes its completely random - very rare occurance though.
Yes if your scent drops and you get stalked occasionally you will get attacked even if you put your scent back up but sometimes its completely random - very rare occurance though.
TheMaestro2680
Wed Sep 08, 2004 9:28 am
#5
If you're grouped with your pet, you will get agro'd without breaking mask scent quite often. Must be careful.
The first poster mentioned it wasn't an issue. But as a MCH it happens to me about once a day if i'm playin a couple hours or so.
lammergeier
Wed Sep 08, 2004 9:36 am
#6
TheMaestro2680 wrote:If you're grouped with your pet, you will get agro'd without breaking mask scent quite often. Must be careful.The first poster mentioned it wasn't an issue. But as a MCH it happens to me about once a day if i'm playin a couple hours or so.
I didn't say it wasn't an issue... I actually listed it as #1 for a reason. I just don't keep my pet out anymore when I'm sampling for the same reason I usually sample solo... any aggro prevents sampling, whether YOU are involved in combat or not.
if I MUST have a pet handy, I make sure I tell it to 'stay' well out of range.
on #3, I was sampling DNA in the middle of swarms of puny spineflaps (aggro, stalker) and without a break in maskscent, I was popping aggro in the middle of sample attempts.
we might get better information on this issue if we worked with the scout or ranger forums... unfortunately, I think we have more noncombat scouts and rangers in our midst than they, and I think we're more likely to feel the pinch than templates with an elite combat profession.
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