Partially-elemental attacks

[Ycombinator]

Actually, even great wyrms have unbranded claw attacks. However, that accounts for less than half their total melee output (2x claw at 4d12, 2x elemental bite at 6d14).

Yep. Even if their damage output increases twofold, one can still clean dragon pits easily with immunity.
I like this idea. It adds consistency to the game and doesn't affect gameplay too much.

[Derakon]

Doesn't apply to all forms of attacks. Monster that "touch to <add something here>" do not do any damage if you have immunity, but if it "Hits to <add that same here>" you get full damage, but not side-effects.

Hit to burn and touch to burn are different things. I think also bite and kick do deliver damage.

At least they used to.

I took a look at the code in monster/melee1.c, and the only thing I can see that refers to the attack method is the message and whether or not the attack can stun or cut you. I certainly know that I was completely immune to Vargo's attacks when I had immunity to fire. That boss fight was...sad.

[Timo Pietilä]

I took a look at the code in monster/melee1.c, and the only thing I can see that refers to the attack method is the message and whether or not the attack can stun or cut you. I certainly know that I was completely immune to Vargo's attacks when I had immunity to fire. That boss fight was...sad.

You are right. I checked old source and I'm seeing the same, so I remember incorrectly.

[Pete Mack]

I took a look at the code in monster/melee1.c, and the only thing I can see that refers to the attack method is the message and whether or not the attack can stun or cut you. I certainly know that I was completely immune to Vargo's attacks when I had immunity to fire. That boss fight was...sad.

Vargo is nothing.
The real winner is Pazuzu with IM_ELEC. He will be a lot tougher in melee with even 1/4 electric damage. Just what the Doctor ordered ... another reason to favor archery over melee.

[Timo Pietilä]

Vargo is nothing.
The real winner is Pazuzu with IM_ELEC. He will be a lot tougher in melee with even 1/4 electric damage. Just what the Doctor ordered ... another reason to favor archery over melee.

I agree. I happened to have IM_ELEC when I killed Pazuzu in my comp game.

It did go like this: "Argh, there it is again, and faster than I, d*mn. Oh well, maybe I should try to kill it, it doesn't seem to have any distance attack I need to be afraid of with my immunities"....getting in melee-range..."hit, hit, hit, hit"..."No drop in HP???"..."Ah, I'm immune to his attacks" (very wide grin...).

[Tiburon Silverflame]

A standard format and consistent interpretation would probably make life simpler; don't have to worry if a Bite does physical and elemental while a Hit doesn't. Personally, I like separate damage ratings for the physical part and the elemental part. A fire elemental should practically be all fire, for example, while Huan is probably more physical than elemental, and Pazuzu's attack can be interpreted however one wants.