Command me to return

[z118]

Is the whole "commands you to return" business a bit broken? I just killed Lorgan after a battle in a hallway. He summoned a few times so there were other creatures about. On more than one occasion he "commanded me to return" when I was in fact right next to him already. As a result I wound up a few squares away from him with other creatures between us. Seems odd that he would command me to return when I could not get any closer to him to begin with, and that I would wind up farther from him than when he started. Worked out well for me, but just seems kind of like a glitch of sorts.

[PowerDiver]

It's also strange when they do it while fleeing in fear.

[Xaxyx]

One side effect that is beneficial to Teleport-To casters is that they can yank you off of a Rune of Protection. I get the impression, however, that this is ultimately accidental.

Hence, in agreement with you and in the further interest of making this spell make more sense and be more useful to monsters who "cast intelligently", I would propose that Teleport-To is only available for casting when:

a) The player is not currently right next to the monster and at least one unoccupied space is next to the monster; or
b) The player is currently right next to the monster but is standing on a Rune of Protection.

And, of course, they shouldn't cast it while Afraid.

[buzzkill]

It's also strange when they do it while fleeing in fear.

Seconded. This just happened to me and until that point, I was content to let it flee.

[Marble Dice]

I always assumed the point of teleport-to was to destroy the player's premeditated positioning. Any summoner with teleport-to is a pain in the ass because they yank you out of ASC or from around corners, and into LOS of the potential nasties they have or may yet summon.

I believe the suggested changes would dramatically weaken the effect of the spell. In my opinion, a large part of the difficulty in the end-game comes from the synergy shared by summoning, teleport-to, drain charges, and breath attacks.

[Zikke]

Maybe instead of Teleport To, it would be something like "Blink Other"? That would take you off your ASC or glyph by a few spaces, but wouldn't imply you would be immediately next to the monster.

[Derakon]

Like a short-range version of Teleport Other? I like it. However, Teleport-To still serves a valid purpose in the game for the more beastly melee enemies like Greater Titans. Usually it's a stronger spell, too; it just shouldn't be cast in certain situations.

[Zikke]

Perhaps monsters with Teleport To would be smart enough not to cast it while a) running away, and b) when all adjacent squares to the monster are filled?

[Zikke]

btw there is a variant that has something like "Blink Other", and it's very useful when you get it as a spell. Is it FA? I don't remember.

[Nick]

btw there is a variant that has something like "Blink Other", and it's very useful when you get it as a spell. Is it FA? I don't remember.

Yes, it is. Glad to know it's useful.

[Pete Mack]

Command return is dangerous in a summoner, even if all adjacent squares are occupied. Imagine you are hiding in your ASC, and the guy commands you to return in the adjacent room. Suddenly, you have a real challenge.

[fizzix]

Perhaps monsters with Teleport To would be smart enough not to cast it while a) running away, and b) when all adjacent squares to the monster are filled?

As others have mentioned I don't agree with b. It's ripe for abuse with ASCs or corridors where adjacent squares are often filled.

I don't think monsters should be doing anything while running besides: teleport_away, teleport, haste_self, heal_self. So I agree with a.

[Atarlost]

How about not teleporting the player if already adjacent unless the player has at least 6 walls adjacent to him? Maybe give monsters that are weaker than their likely summons a different spell that will move the player a few tiles like a gravity breath (but not do the other gravity effects)

[Tiburon Silverflame]

Atar, the issue becomes, how smart do you want to make the monsters?

I can certainly see, as a relatively simple first step, that the critter doesn't bother with Teleport-To when you're already adjacent. The first, and maybe last, exception would be that you're on a rune...and then, only if he can tell. I'm not saying the others aren't valid situations where a really smart critter would do something to get you out of position; it's just a real pain to code in the situational analysis. KISS is probably better.

[konijn_]

Seconded. This just happened to me and until that point, I was content to let it flee.

Thirded, it does look as if 'Command me to return' was changed, and not for the better. Blink hounds are even less dangerous now, they blinked me into a corridor.. I for one think this change is a good candidate to get reversed.

T.