Description

Monsters can behave in various kinds of ways. They can be aggressive, attacking the player. Or peaceful, helping the player - maybe joining him as pet. The unaggressive creatures who communicate with players are usually called "NPCs" (Non Player Character), a well-known term in role-play environments.

Type defined by:

Attributes

Attribute	Field	Description
armor class	liv::ac	Monsters of low <armor class> are less likely to get hit from their opponent. <armor class> can be considered the "counterpiece" to <weapon class>. Values typically range between +20 (very bad) to -20 (quite good).
asleep	FLAG_SLEEP	Being <asleep>, a monster won't move unless a player enters the <sensing range> of the monster. Usually the sensing range is larger than the players line of sight. Due to that, in most cases the player won't ever notice weither a monster was asleep or not.
attack movement	obj::attack_movement	(no description)
attacktype	obj::attacktype	This number is a bitmask, specifying the monster's attacktypes for melee damage. Attacktypes are: physical, magical, fire, cold.. etc. Strong monsters often have more than just physical attacktype. When a monster with multiple attacktypes hits an opponent, it will do as much damage as the "best" of it's attacktypes does. So, the more attacktypes, the more dangerous. Attacktypes "magic" and "chaos" are somehow exceptions.
attuned paths	obj::path_attuned	Click on the <attuned paths> button to select spellpaths. The creature will get attuned to the specified spellpaths.
block view	FLAG_BLOCKSVIEW	If an item is set to block view, players (and monsters) cannot see beyond it unless they cross it or manage to stand on top.
breed monster	obj::other_arch	This only takes effect if <multiply> is enabled. The monster will create a <breed monster> every once in a while. <breed monster> can be set to any valid arch-name of a monster.
can cast spell	FLAG_CAST_SPELL	If <can cast spell> is disabled, the monster cannot cast any spell. Only wands/rods/etc can be used, given the appropriate abilities.
can use armor	FLAG_USE_ARMOUR	Monster is able to wear protective equipment like breastplate armor, shields, helmets etc.
can use bows	FLAG_USE_BOW	Monster is able to use missile-weapon type objects.
can use rings	FLAG_USE_RING	Monster is able to wear rings.
can use rods	FLAG_USE_ROD	Monster is able to use rods.
can use scrolls	FLAG_USE_SCROLL	Monster is able to read scrolls.
can use skills	FLAG_CAN_USE_SKILL	Monster is able to use skills from it's inventory. For example, you can put a throwing skill object and some boulders into the monster's object and set <can use skills>.
can use wands	obj::can_use_wand	Monster is able to use wands and staves.
can use weapons	FLAG_USE_WEAPON	Monster is able to wield weapon type objects.
carries weight	obj::carrying	If a monster has something in the inventory, this value can be set to reflect the slowdown due to the carried weight.
damage	liv::dam	Among other parameters, <damage> affects how much melee damage a monster inflicts. <damage> is used as base value for damage per hit. <level>, <speed>, <weapon class> and resistances also take effect on the melee damage of a monster.
denied paths	obj::path_denied	Click on the <denied paths> button to select spellpaths. The creature won't be able to cast spells of the specified paths.
detect hidden	liv::Int	The <detect hidden> value gives monsters the ability to find hidden/invisible creatures. Higher values make for better detection-skills. Enabling <see invisible> makes this value obsolete.
elevation	obj::elevation	The elevation (height above sea level) of this tile. It is used for weather calculations and should be in the range -32000..32000. The elevation of a tile must be set in the bottom-most game object; elevation values for non-bottom-most game objects are ignored by the Crossfire server.
experience	liv::exp	When a player kills this monster, he will get exactly this amount of <experience>. The experience will flow into the skill-category the player used for the kill. If you create special monsters of tweaked strength/abilities, always make sure that the <experience> is set to a reasonable value. Compare with existing arches to get a feeling what reasonable means. Keep in mind that spellcasting monsters are a lot harder to kill than non-spellcasters!
friendly	FLAG_FRIENDLY	<friendly> monsters help the player, attacking any non-friendly monsters in range.
glow radius	obj::glow_radius	If <glow radius> is set to a value greater zero, the object appears lit up on dark maps. <glow radius> can be a value between 0 and 4, the higher, the more light does the object emit.
healing rate	liv::Con	Monsters regenerate this many health points each 4 ticks. Hence, the healing rate is independent of <speed>.
health points	liv::hp	The <health points> of a monster define how long it takes to kill it. With every successful hit from an opponent, <health points> get drained - The monster dies by zero <health points>.
hitback	FLAG_HITBACK	Monsters with <hitback> enabled hurt the attacker in proportion to the amount of damage the attacker inflicted. This damage is additional to the regular melee damage of the monster. As far as I know, hitback uses acid attacktype, and it only takes effect if the monster actually has acid attacktype at it's disposal. Acid spheres for example use this feature.
identified	FLAG_IDENTIFIED	If an item is identified, the player has full knowledge about it.
image	obj::face	The image-name defines what image is displayed for this object in-game.
invisible	obj::invisible	Generally makes the object invisible. Depending on the object-type, some can be made visible by the show_invisible spell. If in doubt, test it. Putting an invisible object under the floor always prevents it from being shown.
level	obj::level	A monster's <level> is the most important attribute. <level> affects the power of a monster in various ways.
max health	liv::maxhp	<max health> is the maximum amount of <health points> this monster can have.
max spellpoints	liv::maxsp	<max spellpoints> is the maximum number of spellpoints a monster can hold. Setting this to high values has little effect unless the monster has a decent <spellpoint regen.>, or the spell "regenerate mana" at it's disposal.
misc. actions	obj::will_apply	This entry defines which kinds of environment actions the creature is able to perform.
monster behavior	FLAG_MONSTER	When <monster behavior> is enabled, this object will behave like a monster: It can move and attack enemies (which are typically players). This flag should be set for all monsters as-such. Monsters which don't move, like guards, should also have <monster behavior>, but in combination with <stand still>. It should not be set for things like immobile generators.
movement type	obj::move_type	Determines which movement types this monster can use. Flying monsters won't get slowed down in rough terrain and they won't be affected by movers.
multiply	FLAG_GENERATOR	Monsters with <generator> enabled will create a <breed monster> every once in a while. Mice are a good example for this effect. If enabled, you must also set <breed monster> or check <template generation> and put other monsters in the inventory.
name	obj::name	This is the name of the object, displayed to the player.
no damage	FLAG_NO_DAMAGE	If set to non-zero, the monster cannot be hurt by attacking it.
non-pickable	FLAG_NO_PICK	If set, the object cannot be picked up (Neither by players nor monsters).
npc message	obj::msg	(no description)
one hit only	FLAG_ONE_HIT	Monsters with <one hit only> disappear after one successful hit to a player.
pick up	obj::pick_up	Click on the <pick up> button and select which types of objects the creature should try to pick up. Note also that if <can use armor>, <can use weapon>, <can use ring>... etc are set, then the creature will pick up the matching items even if this is not set here.
race	obj::race	Every monster should have a race set to categorize it. The monster's <race> can have different effects: Slaying weapons inflict triple damage against enemy races and holy word kills only enemy races of the god.
reflect missiles	FLAG_REFL_MISSILE	A monster with this flag has the ability to <reflect missiles>, all kinds of projectiles (e.g. arrows, bolts, boulders) will bounce off.
reflect spells	FLAG_REFL_SPELL	A monster with this flag has the ability to <reflect spells>, all kinds of spell-bullets and -beams will bounce off. Generally this flag should not be set because it puts wizard-type players at an unfair disadvantage.
repelled paths	obj::path_repelled	Click on the <repelled paths> button to select spellpaths. The creature will get repelled to the specified spellpaths.
resist acid %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist blinding %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist chaos %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist cold %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist confusion %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist death-attack %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist depletion %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist draining %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist electricity %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist fear %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist fire %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist ghosthit %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist godpower %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist holy power %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist magic %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist paralyze %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist physical %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist poison %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist slow %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist turn undead %	obj::resist	(no description)
resist weaponmagic %	obj::resist	(no description)
run at % health	FLAG_RUN_AWAY	This is a percentage value in the range 0-100. When the monster's health points drop below this percentage (relative to max health), it attempts to run away from the attacker.
see in darkness	FLAG_SEE_IN_DARK	A monster with the ability to <see in darkness> cannot be fooled by spells of darkness or dark maps. This flag is a "should-have" for high-level monsters. When a monster is unable to see in darkness, players can cast darkness and sneak around it safely.
see invisible	FLAG_SEE_INVISIBLE	A monster with the ability to <see invisible> cannot be fooled with by invisible or hiding players. This flag is a must-have for high-level monsters. When a monster is unable to detect invisible players, it can be killed without fighting back.
sensing range	liv::Wis	<sensing range> determines how close a player needs to be before the creature wakes up. This is done as a square, for reasons of speed. Thus, if the <sensing range> is 11, any player that moves within the 11x11 square of the monster will wake the monster up. If the player has stealth, the size of this square is reduced in half plus 1.
smooth level	obj::smoothlevel	If <smooth level> is set to a value greater zero, the object will be drawn partially over adjacent squares having a lower <smooth level> value. The value must be between 0 and 255 (inclusive); 0 means "never overlap adjacent squares".
speed	obj::speed	The <speed> determines how fast a monster will both move and fight. High <speed> makes a monster considerably stronger.
spellpoint regen.	liv::Pow	Monsters regenerate this many spellpoints each 16 ticks. Hence, the spellpoint regeneration rate is independent of <speed>. To make a real tough spellcasting monster, the rate of spellpoint regeneration is most important. If your monster is still not casting fast enough, give it the spell-ability of "regenerate mana". That, paired with high <max spellpoints>, is the ultimate thing.
spellpoints	liv::sp	Like players, monsters need <spellpoints> to do magic. Monsters use them for both wizard- and prayer-spells. However, this value defines only the amount of initial spellpoints the monster starts with. When creating a spellcasting monster, remember that <max spellpoints> and <spellpoint regen.> are more important than just initial <spellpoints>.
stand still	FLAG_STAND_STILL	Monsters which <stand still> won't move to leave their position. When aggressive, they will attack all enemies who get close to them. This behavior is commonly known from castle guards. In older versions of Crossfire it was possible to eventually push a <stand still>-monster out of position by force. I believe this is no longer possible. Nevertheless, you should still be cautious when lining up <stand still>-monster in order to "defend" something: Such monsters are rather easy to kill. It's good for low level maps, but not much more.
template generation	FLAG_CONTENT_ON_GEN	This only takes effect if <multiply> is enabled. The monster will create a new monster every once in a while by duplicating it's inventory. In this case, the <breed monster> value is never used and can be forgotten. Each time the monster need to generate an object, it will be a randomly chosen item from the inventory. When generator is destroyed, inventory is destroyed.
title	obj::title	This is the object's title. Once an object is identified the title is attached to the name. Typical titles are "of Mostrai", "of xray vision" etc.
treasurelist	obj::randomitems	When the monster is killed, items from the treasurelist will drop to the ground. This is a common way to reward players for killing (masses of) monsters. Note that you can always put items into the monster's inventory. Those will drop-at-kill just like the stuff from the <treasurelist>.
unaggressive	FLAG_UNAGGRESSIVE	<unaggressive> monsters do not attack players unless attacked first.
undead	FLAG_UNDEAD	Several spells only affect undead monsters: turn undead, banish undead, holy word, etc.
weapon class	liv::wc	Monsters of high <weapon class> are more likely to really hit their opponent. <weapon class> can be considered the "counterpiece" to <armor class>.
weight	obj::weight	This value defines the object's weight in grams (1000g is 1kg). Objects with zero weight are not pickable for players. Still, set the "non-pickable"-flag for explicitly non-pickable objects (hey, this is opensource.. you never know ;) ).