Post:Flex Creatures & You - 10/26/2019 - 13:31

Flex Creatures & You · on 10/26/2019 13:31	649
I'll start with the end bit first: I am not ruling out that there may be a problem with our flex mechanics. Other GMs are testing and monitoring as I type this. That said, the feedback we are getting indicates there is a common vein of misconceptions regarding how flex mechanics work in DR and I want to take a moment to address that. Flexing has undergone significant changes over the course of DR's lifespan, though the current scheme we use hasn't changed in concept since the Lyras War / Necromancer Guild opening events. Creature flexing occurs in as close to real time as anything gets in DR. It is not a one time flex, nor does it only flex when someone enters or leaves. Instead, every time it is attacked or every time it attacks, it adjusts its stats and skills based on the PC on the other end of the contest. Another issue that comes up in feedback is what exactly we use to determine flex numbers. In particular, the flex mechanics do not care about your circle number. The primary driver of flex is the size of your highest weapon and defense skills, modified by appropriate stats. If you have exceptionally high combat-magic (TM or Debil) or stealth (Stealth or Backstab) relative to your weapons, that also affects the flex score. The last issue is less mechanical and more conceptual. Flex critters can be adjusted to degrees of flex, to be harder or easier. This event has creatures that are designed to be challenging and not sustainably hunted without the assistance of others (be it group hunting or Empathic healing over time). This event is a situation where you will likely wish to make use of your strengths moreso than the sedate pace many people hunt for skills at. To repeat what I started with, we are watching and we are scouring our flex system for bugs or unintended affects as feedback comes in. As always, we appreciate feedback (even if we can't respond to all of it!) especially when it is detailed and written in a calm manner. -Armifer
This message was originally posted in Events and Happenings in DragonRealms' Elanthia / Game Master and Official Announcements, by DR-ARMIFER on the play.net forums.