# \[SUGGESTION\] Rebalancing and making reasonable (nerfing?) shockers

**URL:** <https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133>\
**Category:** The Drawing Board\
**Created:** [November 30, 2014, 12:49am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133 "2014-11-30T00:49:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![iceball3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c89c15/32.png) [@iceball3](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/iceball3)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 12:49am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/1 "2014-11-30T00:49:36Z")

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To elaborate, their special attack. To put it in perspective, why exactly is a zombie, in possesion of malfunctioning bionics, able to accurately and reliably able to bolt the main character and only the main character? Even with the possibility of slight intelligence, it just seems unreasonable, given how much should be stopping them. This is contrast to the bio operator’s bionics, which are actually sort of working like they should, and have a reason why they would work on the PC (bodily context commands, for instance). Bio operators are fine.  
If i may make a suggested change, perhaps replace the shocker’s special attack with a constant effect, where small amounts of sparks would emit into the nearby environment (1-4 square range), agitating when the shocker is struck, or when it passes by metallic terrain or objects? This would better reflect the condition of as well as the extent of the zombie’s ability to utilise it’s bionics, i believe.

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**Author:** ![FunsizeNinja123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/funsizeninja123/32/118_2.png) [@FunsizeNinja123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/FunsizeNinja123)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 12:52am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/2 "2014-11-30T00:52:07Z")

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+1

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**Author:** ![TheFlame52](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/theflame52/32/247_2.png) [@TheFlame52](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/TheFlame52)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 1:03am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/3 "2014-11-30T01:03:16Z")

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Now at a glance I thought this was mindless whining, but then I read the whole thing and it makes sense. +1. I might even be able to code it.

As an addition, the shocker brute should still shoot lightning. He has a reason to be able to do that.

EDIT: I could code it but then someone would have to fix it, so there’s really no point.

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**Author:** ![Valpo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valpo/32/341_2.png) [@Valpo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valpo)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 1:12am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/4 "2014-11-30T01:12:31Z")

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if the shocker has no reason to shoot lightning… how does the brute variant have one?

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**Author:** ![TheFlame52](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/theflame52/32/247_2.png) [@TheFlame52](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/TheFlame52)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 1:19am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/5 "2014-11-30T01:19:09Z")

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> [@Valpo](#):
>
> if the shocker has no reason to shoot lightning… how does the brute variant have one?

It’s huge and it has more CBMs. Also, they are rare and should keep being dangerous.

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**Author:** ![Valpo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valpo/32/341_2.png) [@Valpo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valpo)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 1:29am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/6 "2014-11-30T01:29:03Z")

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It would still be dangerous as its still a brute you can t meele with conductive weapons. Perhaps a constant stream of sparks would be even more hazardous then an arc every now n then.

How about making an evolved variant that can use an emp field discharging all your bionic energie.

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**Author:** ![iceball3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c89c15/32.png) [@iceball3](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/iceball3)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 1:32am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/7 "2014-11-30T01:32:22Z")

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Actually, that makes me wonder, are shockers or bio operators affected by EMP?

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**Author:** ![kevin.granade](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kevin.granade/32/1316_2.png) [@kevin.granade](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kevin.granade)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 2:37am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/8 "2014-11-30T02:37:59Z")

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So instead of occasionally firing a targeted burst of electricity, it would emit small arcs into the environment around itself?  
That sounds pretty reasonable.

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**Author:** ![StopSignal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/stopsignal/32/1923_2.png) [@StopSignal](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/StopSignal)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 2:48am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/9 "2014-11-30T02:48:10Z")

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No one ever heard of the [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleOfFun](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleOfFun)

Or quoting our greatest poet:

> [@Fixing clothing mechanics (Gamebalance,goofyness,etc)](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/fixing-clothing-mechanics-gamebalance-goofyness-etc/5035/13):
>
> Nobody here actually cares about realism, it’s just a catchphrase to shout when nerfing something and a concept to be tossed aside when it gets in the way of nerfing something.

Sorry if i am harsh, but it’s my opinion.

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**Author:** ![wilson7755](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c89c15/32.png) [@wilson7755](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/wilson7755)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 2:52am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/10 "2014-11-30T02:52:49Z")

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[quote=“StopSignal, post:9, topic:8133”]No one ever heard of the [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleOfFun](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleOfFun)

Or quoting our greatest poet:

> [@Fixing clothing mechanics (Gamebalance,goofyness,etc)](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/fixing-clothing-mechanics-gamebalance-goofyness-etc/5035/13):
>
> Nobody here actually cares about realism, it’s just a catchphrase to shout when nerfing something and a concept to be tossed aside when it gets in the way of nerfing something.

Sorry if i am harsh, but it’s my opinion.[/quote]  
WHAT DID YOU DO?!  
ITS [TVTROPES.ORG](http://TVTROPES.ORG)!

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**Author:** ![FunsizeNinja123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/funsizeninja123/32/118_2.png) [@FunsizeNinja123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/FunsizeNinja123)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/11 "2014-11-30T02:55:38Z")

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Wilson, that was extremely unnecessary.

Edit: For the record, Wilson held down enter for about a solid minute. Or was it an image?

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**Author:** ![StopSignal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/stopsignal/32/1923_2.png) [@StopSignal](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/StopSignal)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 2:57am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/12 "2014-11-30T02:57:18Z")

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I’d suggest making that image a bit more tiny.

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**Author:** ![wilson7755](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c89c15/32.png) [@wilson7755](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/wilson7755)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 2:58am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/13 "2014-11-30T02:58:37Z")

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> [@StopSignal](#):
>
> I’d suggest making that image a bit more tiny.

There was supposed to be an image, but it broke so… I fixed eet.

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**Author:** ![KA101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/278dde/32.png) [@KA101](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/KA101)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 3:13am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/14 "2014-11-30T03:13:04Z")

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We have, and that’s why it’s cited in the design doc.

The Rule of Fun is not the MST3K Mantra though. I’m not sure how the shocker zed aims the bolt either. I could guess it had a finger-laser and that creates a more conductive path for the charge

BUT

civvies generally wouldn’t have finger lasers. So perhaps the brute might have one, being some other sort of mech-aug.

I’m OK with making generi-shockers emit an electric field.

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**Author:** ![StopSignal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/stopsignal/32/1923_2.png) [@StopSignal](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/StopSignal)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 3:15am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/15 "2014-11-30T03:15:21Z")

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Hmm. In this case, i have a countersuggestion: Make it target metalic stuff. I am pretty sure most late survivors have metal stuff. Science!

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**Author:** ![vache](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ea666f/32.png) [@vache](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/vache)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 3:26am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/16 "2014-11-30T03:26:12Z")

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I feel like if we do this, we should add another range based zombie.

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**Author:** ![Belteshazzar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Belteshazzar](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Belteshazzar)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 3:29am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/17 "2014-11-30T03:29:25Z")

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I do find the electrocannon effect rather odd for the shockers (especially as a malfuctioning random bionic.) I like

> [@TheFlame52](#):
>
> As an addition, the shocker brute should still shoot lightning. He has a reason to be able to do that.

this as an addition as well. Though, I question if perhaps this might make shockers too weak? They’re already really easy to spot and pop in low light conditions. Perhaps if in exchange they weren’t lit up like a Christmas tree or so obvious until they activated their arc field in close quarters?

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**Author:** ![KA101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/278dde/32.png) [@KA101](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/KA101)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 3:43am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/18 "2014-11-30T03:43:55Z")

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[quote=“Belteshazzar, post:17, topic:8133”]I do find the electrocannon effect rather odd for the shockers (especially as a malfuctioning random bionic.) I like

> [@TheFlame52](#):
>
> As an addition, the shocker brute should still shoot lightning. He has a reason to be able to do that.

this as an addition as well. Though, I question if perhaps this might make shockers too weak? They’re already really easy to spot and pop in low light conditions. Perhaps if in exchange they weren’t lit up like a Christmas tree or so obvious until they activated their arc field in close quarters?[/quote]

Here I thought the arc field would be more or less constant. Electric critters glowing is a further incentive to have ranged-combat abilities–see 'em at night and _twang_.

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**Author:** ![Valpo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valpo/32/341_2.png) [@Valpo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valpo)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 10:52am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/19 "2014-11-30T10:52:10Z")

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[quote=“StopSignal, post:9, topic:8133”]Or quoting our greatest poet:

> [@Fixing clothing mechanics (Gamebalance,goofyness,etc)](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/fixing-clothing-mechanics-gamebalance-goofyness-etc/5035/13):
>
> Nobody here actually cares about realism, it’s just a catchphrase to shout when nerfing something and a concept to be tossed aside when it gets in the way of nerfing something.

Sorry if i am harsh, but it’s my opinion.[/quote]

Your simply wrong with that … at least about my opinion. i am all for hard gameplay but i wouldn t want something implemented that makes no sense.  
Its one reason why i liked the ops idea cause it made sense to me.

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**Author:** ![Shoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Shoes](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Shoes)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/suggestion-rebalancing-and-making-reasonable-nerfing-shockers/8133/20 "2014-11-30T19:59:31Z")

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I mentioned this some wheres else I think; shockers being able to force-grab metallic weapons or objects from the player. Is it fun? I don’t know.

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