# Are Monster Upgrades Visible?

**URL:** <https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/are-monster-upgrades-visible/19135>\
**Category:** The Toolbox\
**Created:** [March 9, 2019, 12:37pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/are-monster-upgrades-visible/19135 "2019-03-09T12:37:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![TheMurderUnicorn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/themurderunicorn/32/5706_2.png) [@TheMurderUnicorn](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/TheMurderUnicorn)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 12:37pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/are-monster-upgrades-visible/19135/1 "2019-03-09T12:37:02Z")

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As in, is it possible for a monster to upgrade while in sight of the player, or does it check to ensure it’s out of LOS before changing?

Also, for upgrades, does the half\_life value begin counting upon monster generation or is it a set variable that progresses during gameplay and then affects all future generated creatures? I’m confused by how half\_life works and there’s no documentation I’ve seen that explains it.

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**Author:** ![Axema](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/axema/32/10822_2.png) [@Axema](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Axema)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 1:22pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/are-monster-upgrades-visible/19135/2 "2019-03-09T13:22:21Z")

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Monsters do not upgrade within your reality bubble, unless it is forced to (like zombie master’s UPGRADE). Some creatures do evolve at your POV like chickens and other farm animals.  
Half\_life - as all I know - is the time that the monster upgrades. Lower value means faster, and vice-versa. Correct me if I’m wrong about this XD

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**Author:** ![mlangsdorf](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/mlangsdorf/32/2462_2.png) [@mlangsdorf](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/mlangsdorf)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2019, 1:22pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/are-monster-upgrades-visible/19135/3 "2019-03-09T13:22:35Z")

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Monsters upgrade `on_load` before they are placed. You’ll never see it.

`half_life` begins counting on world generation and affects all monsters regardless of when they are created.