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# System prepended metadata

title: 'Taur Rework: Serpentine'

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THIS HACKMD IS PART OF A LARGER PROJECT, SEE https://hackmd.io/@NikoTheGuyDUde/rJ7C9HPe0


# Specific Features
1. Crushing constrict - Serpentine taurs can use their \*turf emote to spawn a "coiled tail". One change is to make it so this tail can be used to actually *crush* entities, much like a boa constrictor.
    * Done through a click action on a target youre currently grabbing
        * Any grab level, to allow usage on non-carbons
        * Some form of do_after (duration subject to debate) that prohibits interaction with the target until completion
            * Non-interaction avoids amplifying maint fu for serpentine taurs which can make them too useful in combat (important aspect of game), thereby violating non-goal 1
    * Once active, begins doing brute damage (with melee tag for armor) to the target every second
        * Low chance to inflict a blunt wound via spiking wound bonus
    * Usable in combat, but not much more effective than maintfu
    * Once constriction is complete, interaction is allowed yet again
        * Less of a problem than you might think, because it becomes a risk/reward game - do I risk higher overall DPS by going for a crush and being unable to punch them during the do_after or just wail on them
    * Once complete, constricted mobs have a harder time escaping and cannot upgrade grabs anymore
        * Separate from aggrograbs
            * Necessary as cyborgs and simplemobs cannot be aggrograbbed
        * More interesting than just having it have high DPS, since DPS is a flat circle and you will always go for the option that has the highest average DPS
        * The ability to have grabs carry over into it allows more strategy as when to use it
            * The inability to upgrade prevents a infinite grab loop
        * The fact it persists beyond grabs allows for the constricted to attack the grabber during the grab
            * Destroy the tail to escape
            * Knock down the contricter to escape
        
2. Grappling constrict - See feature 1. As a bonus, the coiled tail is now usable as a buckling surface.
    * Useful flavor - it LITERALLY constricts you
    * Bucklecuff
    
3. Damageable constrict - The coiled tail now redirects damage to the user, as is logical.
    * If the structure is destroyed, the legs or torso receive a spike of damage
        * Also releases anyone coiled
        * The constricted individual can attack the tail to release themself


# Potential Changes
## Crushing constrict
1. Serpentine taurs are amplifying their maint fu massively by getting a neckgrab/strangle then constricting
    * Shouldnt be an issue, neckgrabs are hard to get
    * Increase constrict wind up time, give the target more time to escape
    * Increase escape chance
    * As a last resort, grabs can be downgraded to aggressive or even passive on successful constriction
3. If nagas/lamias begin to heavily damage cyborgs by constricting them, some downside can be given
    * Potential issue as humans have no way to do unarmed damage to cyborgs at the moment
    * Unlikely to be an issue, as no cyborg will sit around and allow a serpentine taur to pin them down
        * A flash is required
        * Or just stab them to death
4. If it proves to be to powerful because people constrict and then beat up the constricted person for massive damage we can increase the time it takes to get the constriction
## Grappling constrict
1. If the ability to bucklecuff someone to yourself proves too useful in combat, this can be removed, or the bucklecuff escape timer can be made instant.
