Well presumably a “Panic” mode would work something to the effect of this (In my head):
There are 30 assorted zeds in your reality bubble, out of those 30, let’s say you can see 20, and 8 are aware of your presence and are moving in to attack, leaving 2 unaccounted for.
While preparing to attack the 8 moving in on you, you fail to reach your window/doorway/etc and are now surrounded. This gives the zeds their first boost in that they have you surrounded, for simplicity we’ll just call it “Surrounded”
Your Dodge Skill is reduced by 8 in that you have /no/ room to move around, presumably you’d still be able to somewhat block but it’d be exceptionally difficult. But since these are regular zombies you’re in danger but not massive danger. Morale doesn’t really affect combat skills (yet?) so I won’t bother mentioning it. Your melee skill is reduced by 5 to account for the lack of space and firearms is reduced by 2. (Melee reduction is larger to account for needing to build up force rather than just point and pull a trigger. Some weapons would need a flag to account for CQC compatible, pistols, small SMGs, knives)
While combating these zeds, you made enough noise that the 12 zeds you’d already seen were drawn to you. You’ve dispatched four of the eight, but now those 12 have surrounded you and you also have a few that are a tile away jockeying for position. Which will trigger a second level, Panicked
When “Panicked” Perception, Intelligence, and Dexterity are reduced by 2. Strength is increased by 2 (Mayhaps the adrenaline buff instead?) At the same time, Firearms is reduced by 6, and Melee by 3. (You’re too scared to aim the weapon accurately, your mind is trying to focus but it’s too busy worrying) Morale will go without mention here because again, all morale seems to affect is how well you learn.
somehow you manage to take care of those last twelve, but in doing so the remaining two have shown themselves. A hulk and a standard zombie, and that hulk is ready to run over and rip your nipples off. Despite no longer being surrounded, a fucking huge monster is coming to KILL YOU thus giving the “Panicked” debuff/buff.
On a side note, when NPCs start working properly a “Strength in Numbers” buff might want to be looked into, reducing the ability to be panicked when surrounded by friendlies.
Obviously needs a bit of work as far as balance goes but… that’s my idea. On a related note… Morale:
Personally, I feel morale should have more of an effect than “Well now I don’t want to read or make macaroni art :(” So perhaps a small buff for high morale and a small debuff for low morale, and a larger one for extremely high and low.
Lastly, some perks.
"Nerves of Steel"
Cannot be Panicked unless there are at least 16 monsters surrounding you. Hulks, etc don’t scare you.
"Berserker"
When surrounded your Melee and Firearms skills don’t drop, but your intelligence loss is doubled, and it takes longer to wear off than would a regular “Surrounded” and or “Panicked” state.
