Special Infected Ideas

[ríomhaire]

The handsome fella on the left is the creeper. He can crawl up walls and ceilings to attack the humans from any angle. His primary method of attack is a glob of acid that he can spit a short distance. The glob is like a large water balloon that bursts upon contact with a surface. It will create a small puddle of acid where it hits that will cause damage to any human who walkes touches it. If he scores a direct hit with a survivor, the survivor, and anyone he is touching, will take damage while the acid lasts. In both cases the acid will only last a few seconds.



His friend is the fumer, not to be confused with the smoker. The fumer can unleash a cloud of smoke, holucinagenic smoke. Any survivor who breathes in the smoke will see infected that aren't there. Imaginary infected will rush towards the player (ignoring all others) and disappear once they reach the player. They can't be killed. The player will also hear special infected that are not there. The fumer will not release smoke upon death.

 

[Sgt.Tibbs]

Not bad at all, lad. I like these.

 

[McGooTheWise]

Like the fumer more than the Creeper, but I would also rather see Haggard than any of these.

 

[ríomhaire]

You're just saying that because Haggard was better drawn.

 

[knut]

You're just saying that because Haggard was better drawn.

Well with no offence intended, the Haggard's drawing did look very interesting combined with the two ideas for attacking the survivors the artist put next to him/it. Whilst I think your ideas are alright, the drawings don't really reflect anything interesting or unique about the ''characters''

 

[Sgt.Tibbs]

As cool and badass as the Haggard looked, did you ever come to notice how one-of-a-kind it is? Not many people are going to jump into a pile of rusty scrap metal and get infected in one fell swoop.

Actually, not jump into a pile. More like jump off the side of a building and get impaled then somehow UN-impale itself and start throwing shit. Also the fact that tiny bullets and molotovs can kill infected of all flavors, and impalement like a Genghis Khan victim won't?

It's completely unbelievable, unlike the others.

EDIT: Give the man some credit.

 

[knut]

Whoa whoa whoa, ease up there, man. Haggard comparisons or not (really, I don't care much about new infected at all, but speculation and discussion, aswell as concepting ideas, is all cool in my books), I think that whilst the ideas are kind of cool for Riom's classes, a good aesthetic quality to an idea - a concept - is also going to play a very important part in the foundation of how something works. The classes drawn here look pretty... basic, and don't seem very in keeping with what they do as an attack.

There's a balance between the idea and the final form that needs to be addressed in order for something to play correctly. What if the Tank was just a regular zombie skin/model with superhuman strength and power? It wouldn't look right at all. When I see the infected classes in L4D I can tell straight away why they were given the attacks made for them.

Regardless, I was always under the impression the Haggard was a result of an industrial accident, and I put that towards some sort of explosion in a factory that caught some ****ed-up-already-under-special-infected-mutation/change zombie in the blast and... I dunno, made him like he is. A Tank caught in blast in a steel workers facility or something because a truck driver put the front of his juggernaut into the side of a gas tank because his cab partner had been bitten... who knows?

What can and won't kill an infected, or what boundaries they face, is always going to be left up to speculation for the future of Left 4 Dead as soon as Bill crouched down in the opening video and said ''they're changing''

 

[Sgt.Tibbs]

I'm not trying to off anyone's rocker or anything.

Of course his drawings are rather basic. Maybe Riom isn't a great artist or good using computer graphics. If somebody likes the ideas well enough then they can use some spare time to make up some more detailed drawings. Hell, I'd do it, but I'm a terrible artist. He could enlist the help of a buddy to help him out if he wants to improve upon this.

Yeah, the Tank getting a bunch of steel shoved in it isn't actually a bad idea, though. It's still going to be rare as hell, though. Tanks are rare enough as it is, but a bunch of the bastards in one place, at one time and going through the same industrial accident? I think not.

Haggard would be a great "boss" type infected for a specific level. If Valve decides to make a one-of-a-kind infected for the end of each level, then we're going somewhere.

 

[knut]

I'm not trying to off anyone's rocker or anything.

Of course his drawings are rather basic. Maybe Riom isn't a great artist or good using computer graphics. If somebody likes the ideas well enough then they can use some spare time to make up some more detailed drawings. Hell, I'd do it, but I'm a terrible artist. He could enlist the help of a buddy to help him out if he wants to improve upon this.

I'm not putting down the skill or capability, more the idea and sense of unique aesthetic. Simple drawings or not, I think they need a real purpose to the way they look in order to perform their tasks. Maybe the artist has a reason why the Fumer is wearing shorts, or why the Creeper is hunchback. We'll just have to wait for an answer, but really it's his ideas so whatever.

Yeah, the Tank getting a bunch of steel shoved in it isn't actually a bad idea, though. It's still going to be rare as hell, though. Tanks are rare enough as it is, but a bunch of the bastards in one place, at one time and going through the same industrial accident? I think not.
.

Thing is, when you tread into the realistic territory like this you put down a whole lot of other gameplay elements that are in place for one simple reason - gameplay. What's the chances of getting seven hooded fellows who bounce around the map every game? Why do skinny girls in nothing more than pants and a tank top mope around in dark corners of every map? That said, the chances of Tanks wandering through steel mill explosions is much more unlikely than a fat man in KFC contracting the special infecteds odd mutations and turning into a Boomer, I'll give you that, which does debunk the idea somewhat.

 

[Hazard.Squared]

The Haggard is one of the best infected ideas I've seen so far. BTW has anyone seen the Riot infected? That one is by far my favorite.

 

[Sgt.Tibbs]

I'm not putting down the skill or capability, more the idea and sense of unique aesthetic. Simple drawings or not, I think they need a real purpose to the way they look in order to perform their tasks. Maybe the artist has a reason why the Fumer is wearing shorts, or why the Creeper is hunchback. We'll just have to wait for an answer, but really it's his ideas so whatever.



Thing is, when you tread into the realistic territory like this you put down a whole lot of other gameplay elements that are in place for one simple reason - gameplay. What's the chances of getting seven hooded fellows who bounce around the map every game? Why do skinny girls in nothing more than pants and a tank top mope around in dark corners of every map? That said, the chances of Tanks wandering through steel mill explosions is much more unlikely than a fat man in KFC contracting the special infecteds odd mutations and turning into a Boomer, I'll give you that, which does debunk the idea somewhat.

Mr. Creeper is probably a hunchback because he's got to store his acid somewhere. Fumer might be wearing shorts because he was a crazy drug addict. He wasn't in the right mindset for clothes.

You know, if they just made a little variety for some of the special infected, like maybe a varied face or different clothes for them, I'd be a happy lad.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

The player will also hear special infected that are not there.

Any class they introduce which could mimic sounds of the other infected like this would be a brilliant idea! That would really make things interesting.

 

[Sgt.Tibbs]

That is a good idea.

Maybe you could get someone to draw this stuff up, Riom.

 

[McGooTheWise]

The fumer would actually be good for getting corner/closet campers, now that I think about it. If he does shoot some sort off hallucinogen it would cause a lot of problems for campers. I actually like the idea.

And the haggard still kicks all their asses.

 

[CancerOfYourSoul]

The Haggard is one of the best infected ideas I've seen so far. BTW has anyone seen the Riot infected? That one is by far my favorite.

Riot Infected is a great idea.. but I think the whole "slower due to armor" is such a disadvantage.

 

[ríomhaire]

For design, it looks basic because I'm not a great artist. I have very specific ideas to how they should look that I find myself unable to translate onto paper or computer. Creeper is supposed to have swollen, vainy stomache filled with an acid bath to create his globs (actually, maybe he should explode in acid too, when killed) which is why he in hunched over. This is also because he spends much of his time with his arms imbedded into walls and ceilings to aid him crawling on them, so he has to bend over all the time anyway. The reason he has an open shirt is because all the buttons broke from his swollen stomache (and to show off cloth physics). His jaw is also supposed to be completely broken from squeezing out acid globs, meaning that it hands uselessly most of the time. The reason he has only a few hairs sticking out of his head is because I tried a few different haircuts on him and they all looked crap.

As for Fumer. He turned out nothing like I imagined. He is supposed to look horrible and sickly. His skin soft and seeming almost to be melting away slowly with loads of flaps and wrinkles. The fumes seep from these folds. As you can see the result looks nothing like this.

 

[CancerOfYourSoul]

For design, it looks basic because I'm not a great artist. I have very specific ideas to how they should look that I find myself unable to translate onto paper or computer. Creeper is supposed to have swollen, vainy stomache filled with an acid bath to create his globs (actually, maybe he should explode in acid too, when killed) which is why he in hunched over. This is also because he spends much of his time with his arms imbedded into walls and ceilings to aid him crawling on them, so he has to bend over all the time anyway. The reason he has an open shirt is because all the buttons broke from his swollen stomache (and to show off cloth physics). His jaw is also supposed to be completely broken from squeezing out acid globs, meaning that it hands uselessly most of the time. The reason he has only a few hairs sticking out of his head is because I tried a few different haircuts on him and they all looked crap.

As for Fumer. He turned out nothing like I imagined. He is supposed to look horrible and sickly. His skin soft and seeming almost to be melting away slowly with loads of flaps and wrinkles. The fumes seep from these folds. As you can see the result looks nothing like this.

So Creeper is pretty much like a Hunter mashed with a Boomer on the Jenny Craig weightloss plan?

 

[Sheepo]

If new special infected are added, the first one needs to be one that discourages the survivors from bunching up and hiding in one place. I can't think of one that would be good in an organic zombie context though.

 

[Sgt.Tibbs]

Mortar-launching infected?

 

[Sheepo]

I'm thinking of something that would take a lot of damage, even more than a tank, but also move very slowly. Slow enough that a survivor would have to be completely oblivious to it or be stuck in a room to be killed by it. And if it gets close to you it can kill you instantly.

 

[CancerOfYourSoul]

How bout mixing infected.

Huntank

Or

Smoomer

 

[FISHY CRACKERS]

His friend is the fumer, not to be confused with the smoker. The fumer can unleash a cloud of smoke, holucinagenic smoke. Any survivor who breathes in the smoke will see infected that aren't there. Imaginary infected will rush towards the player (ignoring all others) and disappear once they reach the player. They can't be killed. The player will also hear special infected that are not there. The fumer will not release smoke upon death.

I don't much like the idea for the Fumer, not only does it's name rhyme with Boomer, but most people would probably react the same way, running into a corner, mashing the melee button, and not taking a single hit.

 

[Sledgehammer]

Make it show a fake tank. Surely that would stop survivors from standing in a corner and meleeing.

 

[the cow says moo]

I like both ideas. But if the creeper exploded and got acid on the survivors when you killed him, it might be too much like a boomer. Maybe the acid should just leak out of his body when it's dead. The Creeper doesn't seem too much like a hunter, since it doesn't actually high jump.
I've seen some ideas like the fumer, but they usually involve making the infected look like survivors and the survivors look like infected (which I'm not sure if I like). Yours just involves infected that aren't there (which I do like). I think Fishy Crackers and I are confused on whether it shoots out the smoke at the survivors or if it just releases it.

 

[CancerOfYourSoul]

What if the Smoke from the Fumer hallucinates the survivor into thinking another survivor was an infected?

That'd be big trouble especailly if your playing with a computer.

 

[lord_raken]

One constant aspect of any boss infected (with the exception of the Tank and Witch who play a different role) is to render a survivor helpless and forces them to rely on their team mates to get them out of trouble. so unless they are going to create a new "class" of boss infected, which I think is likely and until the create this new "class", then it is safe to assume that any new boss infected will be in line with the current bosses.

Now the Idea of a new type or class of boss is a interesting idea. and I think we could create better concepts (not that there have not been some great ideas already) if we come up with these "classes" first and then come up with boss infected that fulfill the role of the class. (Kinda like FT2 you have defense, support EXE)

 

[ríomhaire]

Having the Creeper explode would be too much like the boomer, and Valve changed it for good reason. As for people going on about closet camping, how the hell have you not noticed that the point of a Creeper is to create a pool of acid on the ground that the humans can't walk on/make it so they have to stop touching each other. I didn't come up with the idea with counter-closet-camping in mind. But he'd certainly be effective at it, as being hit by him causes the survivors to have to move.

 

[chimpmunk]

One constant aspect of any boss infected (with the exception of the Tank and Witch who play a different role) is to render a survivor helpless and forces them to rely on their team mates to get them out of trouble.

How does the boomer do that?

 

[knut]

How does the boomer do that?

Blinded for several seconds whilst surrounded by punching and kicking zombies, no matter how easy to get out with a little meleeing, still requires your team to hold up and stand their ground, as when a Boomer-Horde comes, that's when the special infected start dishing out the real damage to survivors.

 

[chimpmunk]

Blinded for several seconds whilst surrounded by punching and kicking zombies, no matter how easy to get out with a little meleeing, still requires your team to hold up and stand their ground, as when a Boomer-Horde comes, that's when the special infected start dishing out the real damage to survivors.

I understand that.

But a lone survivor can survive a successful boomer attack. However, there is no way a survivor can survive a successful attack from an hunter or a smoker without help.

 

[FISHY CRACKERS]

I understand that.

But a lone survivor can survive a successful boomer attack. However, there is no way a survivor can survive a successful attack from an hunter or a smoker without help.

But that is where the Boomer is different, while he can not pin them and leave them helpless to do a thing about it, he simply weakens them and attacks multiple survivors at once, so while they're not ENTIRELY helpless, they still need some help.

On another note, if you see a survivor get barfed on by one of your teammates, the FIRST thing you want to do as a Smoker is to run in there and die. Smoker Smoke + Boomer Bile = Basically blind, those two together make you unable to see a thing, maybe an outline here or there but still. (Ok maybe you shouldn't run in and hope you die, but just a sudgestion)

 

[CancerOfYourSoul]

But that is where the Boomer is different, while he can not pin them and leave them helpless to do a thing about it, he simply weakens them and attacks multiple survivors at once, so while they're not ENTIRELY helpless, they still need some help.

On another note, if you see a survivor get barfed on by one of your teammates, the FIRST thing you want to do as a Smoker is to run in there and die. Smoker Smoke + Boomer Bile = Basically blind, those two together make you unable to see a thing, maybe an outline here or there but still. (Ok maybe you shouldn't run in and hope you die, but just a sudgestion)

2 Hunters jump while everyones blind and you got a win.. Personally as a Smoker though.. I like to use the Boomer bile to more of an advantage.. Grab them while they're getting attacked by the horde the bile attracts.

 

[Jintor]

But that is where the Boomer is different, while he can not pin them and leave them helpless to do a thing about it, he simply weakens them and attacks multiple survivors at once, so while they're not ENTIRELY helpless, they still need some help.

On another note, if you see a survivor get barfed on by one of your teammates, the FIRST thing you want to do as a Smoker is to run in there and die. Smoker Smoke + Boomer Bile = Basically blind, those two together make you unable to see a thing, maybe an outline here or there but still. (Ok maybe you shouldn't run in and hope you die, but just a sudgestion)

After some field testing (playing vs a lot) you can still see the names of your teammates, and that alone is generally enough to tell how they're doing. Smoke might muck up audio cues though, so that's a thought.

 

[ktimekiller]

At the moment, there are only hit and run infected classes. I think a charging class, such as like to the abilities of the ONOS from NS would fit very well. Charge ability that cannot be deterred by bullet or explosives could prove to be very effective against corner/closet campers.

Name: ?
Health: 500

Ability 1

Charge: 2 second build up time (while standing still). Direction can be changed SLIGHTLY by turning with the mouse. Deals 20 damage if survivor is hit. Deals 40 damage if survivor is hit, and pinned to an immovable obstacle (walls). Players hit will be launched slightly and knocked down. Players near the charge path, or near the ending path of the charge are staggered back slightly. Charge ability is very noticeable and carries a distinct noise to prevent sneak charges. You may charge while under huddle effect, but the damage is reduced by 50%. Charge destroys all infected in its path, but just knocks away special infected blocking the charge. Charge ability does not stop until either hitting a immovable object, which results in a 4 second stun, or by going past its maximum distance (3/4 of Smoker's tongue range). Ending of the charge ability, whether by hitting a wall, or going too far puts huddle on timer.

Ability 2

Huddle: Huddles for cover, reducing damage taken by any means (except fire) by 85%. Lasts 4 seconds. 10 second recharge timer.

Main idea of this infected is to knock down and scatter the Players that like to camp corners or closets. If they are camping, they are most likely unable to see the infected player, so the maximum damage dealt will be significant against the closet campers. However, to prevent usage as a frontal battery assault against players who are not camping, or are not engaged, the reduced damage of charging while huddling prevents this kind of use.

I have no clue what this kind of infected creature would look like.

 

[the cow says moo]

Actually, I really like that infected idea. This might be one of the better ideas for a new special infected yet. The recharge on the charge attack should be short but long enough so it doesn't spam the attack. Does it not have a normal melee attack, because I quite like having it as the other infected.
I could see this being used in place of the tank and would be especially useful on closet campers, but a little less useful in the open, since the survivors might be able to dodge the attack.

On a side note, in a real zombie outbreak, the zombies probably wouldn't use hit and run tactics.

EDIT: I'm not sure if I like the idea of having to ram a wall or charge a long distance before stopping. What if you could skid to a halt by pressing the charge button again. You would skid for a few yards, which would take a few seconds and then have to wait for the recharge before charging again. Survivors hit during the skid would take 25% less damage.

 

[Eejit]

I understand that.

But a lone survivor can survive a successful boomer attack. However, there is no way a survivor can survive a successful attack from an hunter or a smoker without help.

Actually you can survive smoker attacks without help with a bit or skill and/or luck.

 

[chimpmunk]

Actually you can survive smoker attacks without help with a bit or skill and/or luck.

Yes there is a subtlety there. But if you're grabbed by behind or just can't manage to shoot at the smoker, you can get in a position that will lead to inevitable death without intervention from other survivors.

 

[ríomhaire]

At the moment, there are only hit and run infected classes. I think a charging class, such as like to the abilities of the ONOS from NS would fit very well. Charge ability that cannot be deterred by bullet or explosives could prove to be very effective against corner/closet campers.

Name: ?
Health: 500

Ability 1

Charge: 2 second build up time (while standing still). Direction can be changed SLIGHTLY by turning with the mouse. Deals 20 damage if survivor is hit. Deals 40 damage if survivor is hit, and pinned to an immovable obstacle (walls). Players hit will be launched slightly and knocked down. Players near the charge path, or near the ending path of the charge are staggered back slightly. Charge ability is very noticeable and carries a distinct noise to prevent sneak charges. You may charge while under huddle effect, but the damage is reduced by 50%. Charge destroys all infected in its path, but just knocks away special infected blocking the charge. Charge ability does not stop until either hitting a immovable object, which results in a 4 second stun, or by going past its maximum distance (3/4 of Smoker's tongue range). Ending of the charge ability, whether by hitting a wall, or going too far puts huddle on timer.

Ability 2

Huddle: Huddles for cover, reducing damage taken by any means (except fire) by 85%. Lasts 4 seconds. 10 second recharge timer.

Main idea of this infected is to knock down and scatter the Players that like to camp corners or closets. If they are camping, they are most likely unable to see the infected player, so the maximum damage dealt will be significant against the closet campers. However, to prevent usage as a frontal battery assault against players who are not camping, or are not engaged, the reduced damage of charging while huddling prevents this kind of use.

I have no clue what this kind of infected creature would look like.

It's an American footballer zombie.

 

[McGooTheWise]

I just pictured a Tank with Football gear on. Then I lol'd. Hulk Tank vs Football Tank?