I feel the hostile flare's spawn chance should be 100%, even if the crafting cost was higher

[Maxil20]

Something I feel is a bit redundant is the hostile flare's chance to roll it's spawns. Whenever you use a hostile flare, there's a 60% chance to spawn one of the outcomes to attack you (the deerclops, mactusk, or a pirate raid). My problem with this, is it just feels cumbersome for it's intended purpose to summon these mobs, especially when you are trying to use the hostile flare for bulk farming.

Because the chance is both RNG based and the time for the roll to happen is also random (of 5-20 seconds, IIRC), it means that for "optimal" results you always want to wait at least 20 seconds minimum before shooting another flare. This in term isn't exactly fun for farming, especially when you fail the same chance multiple times in a row, which isn't too unrealistic (I got seven duds in a row once, with several ~4 duds in a row from a winter farming session...)

I feel it would just be better if the hostile flare always caused the mobs in question to come to you, in exchange for the crafting cost, specifically the glommer goop, to be doubled from 1->2. Given that you effectively use on average ~1.67 glommer goop per "summon" anyways, this wouldn't be a significant nerf, and would feel much better for farming purposes and would avoid having lengthy dulls of waiting to roll a chance to farm something you're already wanting to come after you anyway.

I do understand that in the grand scope of things this isn't a significant issue, but given that it also shouldn't be too difficult to change, I hope it can be considered.

[DegenerateFurry]

Yeah, pointless RNG is never fun. It should just... work, although the timing being random is okay if it has a 100% chance, since that can add tension.

It should also summon Bearger if used in autumn, but that's a different thread.

[_mylilsunshine_]

4 hours ago, DegenerateFurry said:

Yeah, pointless RNG is never fun. It should just... work, although the timing being random is okay if it has a 100% chance, since that can add tension.

It should also summon Bearger if used in autumn, but that's a different thread.

for being called 'hostile flare' it really is strange when it can only summon deerclops, hunting parties, and monkeys.

if the intention is to only attract things that eventually seek you out, unlike bearger/moose goose, etc. hunting parties don't even seek you out like the other two do, so why is it included?

bearger is a roaming giant, should've been in the flare's list 

[DegenerateFurry]

43 minutes ago, _mylilsunshine_ said:

for being called 'hostile flare' it should is strange when it can only summon deerclops, hunting parties, and monkeys.

if the intention is to only attract things that eventually seek you out, unlike bearger/moose goose, etc. hunting parties don't even seek you out like the other two do, so why is it included?

bearger is a roaming giant, should've been in the flare's list 

Hot take: Bearger does actually seek you out just as much as Deerclops does, it's just not immediately hostile like Deerclops is. It spawns near the player (which is enough if you ask me) and will then seek out sources of food nearby, likely including your base if you didn't leave it, and will destroy structures to get to them if they're in its way. So, you're kinda forced to either flee your base as it approaches or fight it, just like Deerclops.

[Dwight34]

6 hours ago, DegenerateFurry said:

Hot take: Bearger does actually seek you out just as much as Deerclops does, it's just not immediately hostile like Deerclops is. It spawns near the player (which is enough if you ask me) and will then seek out sources of food nearby, likely including your base if you didn't leave it, and will destroy structures to get to them if they're in its way. So, you're kinda forced to either flee your base as it approaches or fight it, just like Deerclops.

One of my runs as Wigfrid ended exactly this way, when Bearger decided to steal my honey, I tried to fight back without knowing how to do so that well, and died to then watch him devour my food.

[_mylilsunshine_]

16 minutes ago, Dwight34 said:

One of my runs as Wigfrid ended exactly this way, when Bearger decided to steal my honey, I tried to fight back without knowing how to do so that well, and died to then watch him devour my food.

if an irl bear is raiding your fridge for a big mac you wouldn't fight it. so bearger can have some honey, as a treat.

 

[Mysterious box]

7 hours ago, _mylilsunshine_ said:

for being called 'hostile flare' it really is strange when it can only summon deerclops, hunting parties, and monkeys.

if the intention is to only attract things that eventually seek you out, unlike bearger/moose goose, etc. hunting parties don't even seek you out like the other two do, so why is it included?

bearger is a roaming giant, should've been in the flare's list 

I mean if we think about it from a more logical perspective it's strange one of the outcomes isn't to summon a hound wave.

[Anis5240]

9 minutes ago, Mysterious box said:

it's strange one of the outcomes isn't to summon a hound wave.

cuz hound waves are meant to catch you off-guard after lazing about in base for so long

[WilsonHiggs]

And the enemies should aggro the player... is so annoying needing to look after the boss. Same anticlimactic sh@t happens when they spawn naturally 

[Dwight34]

6 hours ago, _mylilsunshine_ said:

if an irl bear is raiding your fridge for a big mac you wouldn't fight it. so bearger can have some honey, as a treat.

 

Yes, but have you considered that I am stupid?

[Biskit]

I sometimes like rolling the dice, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t fuming after 6 !!!... yes 6 hostile flares back to back and 0 Deerclops  (yes I waited a good 2 minutes between each)

Also while we on the topic, can we please also make it so existing Deerclops or Bearger teleport to hostile flares? (including mutated versions). I go away for 1 sec to grab armor, or they go off screen, then it's hide and seek, trying to notice their screen shake. And I'm not one of those who use a mod that gives Milky Way FOV and can see the whole world, and it's SO FREAKING ANNOYING to lose these very Destructive, and also Mandatory for spark arks bosses, when they decide to B-line to god knows whatever direction.

[Mysterious box]

7 hours ago, Anis5240 said:

cuz hound waves are meant to catch you off-guard after lazing about in base for so long

Sure that's the game reason but that's not really the logical one.

[Anis5240]

9 minutes ago, Mysterious box said:

that's not really the logical one.

too bad game hadn't have logic since ages already

[Sunset_Liddel]

9 hours ago, _mylilsunshine_ said:

if an irl bear is raiding your fridge for a big mac you wouldn't fight it. so bearger can have some honey, as a treat.

 

no way that bear is taking my big mac I WILL FIGHT IT

[Masked Koopa]

2 hours ago, Mysterious box said:

Sure that's the game reason but that's not really the logical one.

I figured the logical reason is that these hound waves happen because charlie is creating them and sending them directly to your location, that's why Maxwell talks about how Varglets are Charlie going soft on them.

[BezKa]

Still think it shouldn't be in the game at all, so idc how it works right now

[-Variant]

I'd love if the flare's summon pool was just like, quadrupled.

I like the idea of being able to cue a mini-event. I'm not sure I like being able to amass boss drops with it though, but the rest seems neat about them.

[Hollow soul 3]

I agree with op for one reason. 

There's a bug sometimes that clogs up the queue when using hostile flairs. If you're trying to get enough eyeballs and tusks for the group year one with the flares, you'll encounter it at some point.

It makes it appear that the flares aren't summoning in anything. You chalk it up to bad rng a couple times, maybe a hunting party you missed, etc etc. eventually you run out of flares, so you give up. After some time, you go to base to log out.

This is where the annoying part comes in. When you log back in, the queued up stack of deerclops spawn in back to back. They aren't bad to kill individually, but with the off screen spawn as soon as one is dead started to take a toll on your base. By the end of it, your just left with piles of resources on the ground (lagging out anyone who's not host). Just kills the world

[Biskit]

1 hour ago, BezKa said:

Still think it shouldn't be in the game at all, so idc how it works right now

Interesting take. May I ask what is the solution for a group of people when spring comes in that case?

[Mysterious box]

1 hour ago, Masked Koopa said:

I figured the logical reason is that these hound waves happen because charlie is creating them and sending them directly to your location, that's why Maxwell talks about how Varglets are Charlie going soft on them.

That's actually kinda funny and interesting lore wise as it could be read in two ways one Charlie is going easier on them for the sake of her sister or another way could be "Charlie" is being slightly more merciful to gain their loyalty.

7 minutes ago, Biskit said:

Interesting take. May I ask what is the solution for a group of people when spring comes in that case?

Using the completely ignored spring gear like rain hats and coats?

[BezKa]

27 minutes ago, Biskit said:

Interesting take. May I ask what is the solution for a group of people when spring comes in that case?

Rain hat, raincoat, pretty parasol, umbrella, trade the eyebrella between you if you're with friends, get Wicker to use Tempering Temperatures every now and then or use Practical Rain Rituals, sleep in tents. I probably missed some options.

[Biskit]

27 minutes ago, Mysterious box said:

Using the completely ignored spring gear like rain hats and coats?

3 minutes ago, BezKa said:

Rain hat, raincoat

The Rain Hat is overlooked due to providing only 70% rain protection, requiring an additional rain protection layer for full coverage. Taking up 2 out of 3 equipment slots, making it quite impractical. Completely outclassed by Eyebrella's 100% rain protection. 

Rain Coats, are not entirely ignored, but there's 2 big issues. First, requiring 2 tentacle spots, which depends on RNG, and a group of players may struggle to acquire enough by spring. And second, the Rain Coat occupies the body slot; crucial for many players, especially those who benefit from specialized body armors like Bramble Husks, Marble Suits, or Night Armor.

Using a Rain Coat also forces reliance on head armor for protection. And with a group of people, having enough pig skin for Football Helmets or even Thulecite Crowns by spring is a challenge by itself.
 

13 minutes ago, BezKa said:

Rain hat, raincoat, pretty parasol, umbrella, trade the eyebrella between you if you're with friends

Pretty parasol and Umbrella don't fully provide rain protection, and require an additional layer of rain protection. Some characters are disadvantaged by rain, like Willow or WX who loses charge and takes damage. Additionally, trading one Eyebrella between multiple players is inconvenient, especially during heavy rain. One player will be wet and drying off, while the other is still getting wet. It becomes even more impractical with more players.

13 minutes ago, BezKa said:

get Wicker to use Tempering Temperatures every now and then or use Practical Rain Rituals, sleep in tents.

Many players like to take advantage of electrical gear dealing bonus damage to wet enemies, especially with some characters’ special abilities. However, this requires significant rain, and even with Wickerbottom in the group, they’d still be soaking wet during the process. Sleeping in tents is also impractical and limited, and it can be interrupted by events like Hound Waves. Furthermore, Wickerbottom cannot sleep.

I understand the desire for more challenge in the game, but the Eyebrella, being limited to one player (or two if you're lucky), feels like it limits the fun. On some servers, players might not even have a fair chance at obtaining one. When it was added, many players were excited. It quite surprises me to see such strong opposition to it.

[BezKa]

20 minutes ago, Biskit said:

Snip

The trick most people don't know, is that you don't actually need a 100% rain protection at all times. All the solutions I provided are imperfect, because the perfect solution is a Boss drop.

Rain doesn't begin with the dawn of Spring and end in summer. You have breaks to dry off, and using an umbrella while it's raining means you'll be less wet when that moment of respite comes. Light a tree on fire and you're golden, all you need to really worry about is when your items get wet.

I explained my opposition to it before, but tldr Deerclops should not be a farmable mob, it's a seasonal boss which comes to your base to wreck it. Walruses are a risk reward mobs, meaning you have to leave warm camp to go and fight for their loot.

The flare is a pointless mechanic for people who cannot handle not playing by the meta at all possible times because it's "not fun". At that point just use mods, if you have access to them.

Ps: sorry if I sound rude, it's not my intention.

[Biskit]

2 hours ago, BezKa said:

Deerclops should not be a farmable mob, it's a seasonal boss which comes to your base to wreck it

ok, I see your point now, and sorry if I missed it earlier. I can see it taking away that Deerclops charm and turning it into some sort of a chore. I totally get that.

If you think of the progression in DS, it makes sense. It feels great to get something valuable after defeating a seasonal boss, a reward that helps with the upcoming season. But when it’s brought to multiplayer, it feels a bit off because not everyone gets to enjoy this reward, and it can lead to people being left out. Imagine a beginner finally learns how to defeat Deerclops after losing over and over and when they are ready to earn that reward, they can't even fight for it. It'd be a total letdown.

Also, from what I usually see in most servers, when spring hits, they tend to empty out quickly, especially the first spring. People are still settling in and don’t want to deal with finding alternative rain protection, so they just leave. They probably just got their walking cane and are happy to roam around with that instead of using an umbrella.

Unfortunately, while I see your point, I can't think of a good middle ground solution either. I think this also changes as you get better at the game; hard and painful stuff that once made you rage quit, are now fun challenges. I currently quite enjoy having hostile flares as an option, and would still personally hate to play during spring as WX without an Eyebrella. While I like challenges, and I'd take even challenges like taming a beefalo in spring, some things I find rather 'tedious'. I hope you can also see my point of view.

[BezKa]

35 minutes ago, Biskit said:

Also, from what I usually see in most servers, when spring hits

Not to take away your point but playing through autumn and winter takes over 2 hours. DST early game is full of chores and planning and focusing, so people get tired. At least that's my experience, playing on a pub you gotta use a lot of your mental capacity + social battery. Two hours is a long time to play, despite what my habits would imply. Just wanted to mention it because it always gets forgotten in discussions about how long people play. I do agree with you that many people simply find spring too difficult.

As for the rest, I do see your point. I considered it when the hostile flare was first added to the game, but it is not a strong enough argument for me personally.

I'm also not aware of any middle ground. I don't think it should be reasonable for everyone to have a boss item on the server in first year. Spring is difficult, but so is winter, people are just more used to it. Possibly more rain gear would encourage players to attempt surviving without the eyebrella, but I don't know that for sure with how the precedent is set right now.