Stronger normal mobs - Please help!

[vcntmnd]

I wonder if anybody can help me rebalance mobs a bit, normal mobs being so weak compared to bosses makes the game kind of boring.

Thanks!

[The Revanchist]

I don't know what sort of help you're asking for, but I'm all for tougher enemies!

Afraid I'm... lacking in the technical department, though.

[Orangeflame]

I have ideas on how I'd like to see them stronger, but I have no experience working with ToME's internal organs (or Lua, either).

[edge2054]

I had some thoughts a long time ago but never went about implementing them because it felt like more work than I wanted to take on at the time.

But here's some ideas I had.

More unique talents. Horrors are a good example of this.

Better AI. Especially for pack monsters. Stuff like wolves could hunt in small packs and use AI similar to what angband used for hounds. Some of this can be simulated with talents (Devourers would be one example).

Do something about vermin. Not sure what exactly but rabbits, mice, and worm masses simply aren't that dangerous. Worm masses would be a lot more intimidating if they had a special poison that put talents on cooldown or something. Rats and mice could be turned into swarms, possibly gaining flat damage reduction from melee attacks (I guess this is just armor but thematically that feels wrong) and some kind of special talent that lets them swarm you (maybe setting a timed effect that lets them bite you as they crawl all over you but taking them off the map for the duration but 'soaking up' some of the damage you take from other sources. Maybe setting yourself on fire would clear the debuff ). Rabbits.. yeah, I don't know why we have rabbit enemies.

[Orangeflame]

Do not underestimate the vorpal rabbit.

[...]

Ready the holy hand grenade of Antioch!

[vcntmnd]

currently I'm just shooting for higher base stats to bring boss mobs and critters a little closer together, I just finished my first pass, going to boot it up tonight and see how many mistakes I made =)