path: root/building_guide/mobs.md

## Mobs

**The filename is the ID.** A mob is looked up by its filename stem (`goblin.yaml` →
`goblin`), and the loader derives `MobDef.ID` from it. Do not put an `id:` field in the file
— it is ignored. Rooms reference mobs by that filename.

All combat and stat fields are nested under a `combat:` block. Protected mobs (NPCs, shopkeepers,
quest givers) do not have a `combat:` block at all — they cannot be attacked.

Basic combat mob:
```yaml
name: "man"
description: "A shabby-looking man."
idle_descriptions:
  - "scribbles something in a small notebook"
  - "gazes skyward at the clouds"
drops:
  remains: "bones"
  loot:
    - item_id: "credits"
      weight: 98
      quantity: 10
combat:
  kind: combat
  stats:
    hp: 7
    attack: 1
    strength: 1
    defense: 1
    attack_type: crush          # stab/slash/crush/ranged/science (default: crush)
    speed: 5
    aggressive: false
    respawn_ticks: 30
    bonuses:
      attack_bonus: 0
      strength_bonus: 0
      science_bonus: 0
      science_percent_bonus: 0
      ranged_bonus: 0
      ranged_strength_bonus: 0
    defenses:
      stab_defense: 0           # per-type defense bonuses
      slash_defense: 0
      crush_defense: 0
      science_defense: 0
      ranged_defense: 0
  size: small
  combat_descriptions:
    - "is engaged in a fight to the death with %s"
```

### Aggressive Mobs

Mobs with `combat.stats.aggressive: true` auto-attack players entering their room (1-tick delay). Only aggros if the player's combat level is at most double the mob's combat level. Checked on room enter and login.

```yaml
name: goblin
combat:
  kind: combat
  stats:
    aggressive: true              # attacks players on sight
    hp: 12
    attack: 1
    strength: 3
    defense: 3
    attack_type: slash
    speed: 5
    respawn_ticks: 25
    bonuses:
      attack_bonus: 3             # equipment-equivalent attack bonus for mob's attack roll
      strength_bonus: 2           # equipment-equivalent strength bonus for mob's max hit
      science_bonus: 0
      science_percent_bonus: 0
      ranged_bonus: 0
      ranged_strength_bonus: 0
    defenses:
      stab_defense: 4
      slash_defense: 3
      crush_defense: -2           # weak to crush — negative defense is valid
      science_defense: 0
      ranged_defense: 3
  size: small
```

### Combat Stats Fields

All combat stats live under `combat.stats:`

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `hp` | Hit points |
| `attack` | Attack level (base accuracy) |
| `strength` | Strength level (base max hit) |
| `defense` | Defense level (base defense) |
| `ranged` | Ranged level (for ranged/science mobs) |
| `science` | Science level |
| `attack_type` | Determines which player defense is used against this mob (stab/slash/crush/ranged/science) |
| `speed` | Attack speed in ticks (default 5) |
| `aggressive` | Auto-attacks players on sight (false if omitted) |
| `respawn_ticks` | Ticks until respawn after death |

#### Bonuses (`combat.stats.bonuses:`)

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `attack_bonus` | Equipment-equivalent attack bonus (added to attack roll) |
| `strength_bonus` | Equipment-equivalent strength bonus (added to max hit) |
| `science_bonus` | Equipment-equivalent science attack bonus |
| `science_percent_bonus` | Percent boost to science damage |
| `ranged_bonus` | Equipment-equivalent ranged attack bonus |
| `ranged_strength_bonus` | Equipment-equivalent ranged strength bonus |

#### Defenses (`combat.stats.defenses:`)

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `stab_defense` | Stab defense bonus |
| `slash_defense` | Slash defense bonus |
| `crush_defense` | Crush defense bonus |
| `science_defense` | Science defense bonus |
| `ranged_defense` | Ranged defense bonus |
| `weakness` | Elemental weakness (solar/hydro/eco/bio/chaos) — for future Science combat |

#### Combat-level fields (under `combat:`)

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `kind` | `combat` (default) or `task` — task mobs are worksites |
| `size` | Mob size for safespot blocking: small/medium/large/massive (default: medium) |
| `assassin_level` | Required assassin skill level to attack this mob |
| `finishing_blow` | Item ID required to kill (mob stays at 1 HP until used via `use <item> on <target>`) |
| `damage_without` | Item ID for protection — mob deals 1.5x damage if player lacks it equipped |
| `combat_descriptions` | List of strings shown when the mob is in combat. Use `%s` for the opponent's name |

### Protected/Unique Mobs

Protected mobs cannot be attacked. They have **no `combat:` block** at all. They don't show a combat level in room listings or when examined.

```yaml
name: flight attendant
description: A smiling flight attendant in a crisp uniform.
unique: true                    # displays as "Flight attendant" not "a flight attendant"
protected: true                 # cannot be attacked, no combat section
idle_descriptions:
  - adjusts her name badge
  - smiles politely at passengers
talk:                           # inline talk config
    nodes:
        start:
            condition:                    # only show this node when flag is NOT set
                player_flag: 1001_look_sign
                not: true
            messages:
                - "\"How can I help you?\""
            goto: thanks                  # auto-advance here if condition fails
            options:
                - text: "\"Oh, nothing...\""
                  goto: sign_reminder
                - text: "\"Goodbye.\""
        thanks:
            messages:
                - "\"Thank you for flying with us. Be careful on the stairs.\""
            options:
                - text: "\"Thanks!\""
        sign_reminder:
            messages:
                - "\"Yeah, just us two! Not a lot of people heading into the belt these days.\""
                - "\"But we'll be landing shortly! Look at the information sign so you'll know what to do.\""
            options:
                - text: "\"Okay, I'll take a look.\""
```

When the player has `1001_look_sign` set, the `start` node's condition fails, so
it skips directly to `thanks` ("Thank you for flying..."). When the flag is unset,
the player sees "How can I help you?" and can choose to be reminded about the sign
or say goodbye. The `sign_reminder` node uses a multi-message `messages` list so the
flight attendant delivers two lines, pausing for the player to press enter between
them, before showing the "Okay" option.

See the [Talk section of behaviors](behaviors.md#talk-dialog-trees) for the full
dialog tree format, including multi-message nodes and conditional nodes.

### Shops

Give a protected mob a root-level `shop:` block to make it a shopkeeper. Players trade with
it using the ordinary `list`, `buy`, and `sell` commands from the game prompt.
Prices derive from each item's `value:` field. See the
[Shops section of behaviors](behaviors.md#shops) for the full format, pricing
formula, and stock/restock rules.

```yaml
name: Shopkeeper
protected: true
shop:
    items:
        - item_id: fishing_rod
          stock: 10
        - item_id: hammer
          stock: 10
```

Note: `wander_rooms` and `wander_interval` are NOT set on the mob definition. Wander config
is per-instance in the room YAML (see Rooms > Mobs section above).

### Stealable Mobs

Stealable mobs have a root-level `steal:` block. On failed steal, the mob turns hostile and attacks.

```yaml
name: Farmer
steal:
  table: farmer_steal             # Drop table for steal loot
  level: 10                       # Required thieving level
  xp: 15                          # XP per successful steal
  speed: 4                        # Ticks per steal attempt
combat:
  kind: combat
  stats:
    hp: 15
    attack: 3
    strength: 3
    defense: 3
    attack_type: crush
    speed: 5
    aggressive: false
    respawn_ticks: 40
    bonuses:
      attack_bonus: 0
      strength_bonus: 0
      science_bonus: 0
      science_percent_bonus: 0
      ranged_bonus: 0
      ranged_strength_bonus: 0
    defenses:
      stab_defense: 0
      slash_defense: 0
      crush_defense: 0
      science_defense: 0
      ranged_defense: 0
  size: small
  combat_descriptions:
    - "swings a shovel at %s"
```

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `steal.table` | Drop table ID for loot when stealing |
| `steal.level` | Required thieving level |
| `steal.xp` | XP awarded per successful steal |
| `steal.speed` | Ticks per steal attempt (base wait) |

### Assassin Mobs

Assassin (Slayer) mobs restrict combat by assassin level and introduce finishing blows and protective equipment:

```yaml
name: slug
combat:
  kind: combat
  stats:
    hp: 15
    attack: 3
    strength: 3
    defense: 1
    attack_type: crush
    speed: 6
    aggressive: false
    respawn_ticks: 25
    bonuses:
      attack_bonus: 0
      strength_bonus: 0
      science_bonus: 0
      science_percent_bonus: 0
      ranged_bonus: 0
      ranged_strength_bonus: 0
    defenses:
      stab_defense: 0
      slash_defense: 0
      crush_defense: 0
      science_defense: 0
      ranged_defense: 0
  assassin_level: 1               # required assassin level to attack
  finishing_blow: salt            # item required to kill (mob stays at 1 HP otherwise)
  size: small
  combat_descriptions:
    - "lunges slimily at %s"
drops:
  remains: slug_mucus
  loot:
    - item_id: credits
      weight: 100
      quantity: 15
```

Damage-without mobs deal 1.5x damage unless the player has the specified item equipped:
```yaml
name: drone
combat:
  kind: combat
  stats:
    hp: 45
    attack: 15
    strength: 14
    defense: 12
    attack_type: crush
    speed: 4
    aggressive: true
    respawn_ticks: 35
    bonuses:
      attack_bonus: 0
      strength_bonus: 0
      science_bonus: 0
      science_percent_bonus: 0
      ranged_bonus: 0
      ranged_strength_bonus: 0
    defenses:
      stab_defense: 0
      slash_defense: 0
      crush_defense: 0
      science_defense: 0
      ranged_defense: 0
  assassin_level: 15
  damage_without: insulated_gloves  # 1.5x damage without this item equipped
  size: small
```

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `combat.assassin_level` | Required assassin skill level to attack this mob |
| `combat.finishing_blow` | Item ID required to kill this mob (mob stays at 1 HP until used via `use <item> on <target>`) |
| `combat.damage_without` | Item ID for protection — mob deals 1.5x damage if player doesn't have it equipped |

Mobs without these fields work normally (assassin_level defaults to 0, finishing_blow and damage_without default to empty).

### Task Mobs (Worksites)

A task mob is a non-violent "worksite" — build a solar panel, survey flora, prospect a rock — that reuses the entire combat engine. Set `combat.kind: task`. Mechanically `combat.stats.hp` is the work pool that drains to 0 to **complete** the work; the player sees a progress bar filling toward 100%. A task mob **never attacks back** — the danger (if any) comes from a room `hazard:` (see `hazards.md`). Use the `work` command (or `attack`) on it.

Task-specific fields live in the root-level `task:` block:

```yaml
name: solar panel frame
description: "A half-assembled photovoltaic array."
task:
  verb: assemble                 # flavor verb shown in messages (default: "work on")
  progress_noun: assembly        # flavor noun in the progress line (default: "work")
  complete_message: "You bolt the final panel into place and the solar array hums to life!"
idle_descriptions:
  - "stands half-assembled, panels waiting to be fitted"
combat:
  kind: task                     # "task" triggers the work-engine mode
  stats:
    hp: 40                       # units of work to complete (NOT a health bar)
    defense: 10                  # base difficulty
    attack_type: crush
    speed: 5
    aggressive: false            # task mobs do not fight; this is ignored
    respawn_ticks: 40            # the worksite replenishes after this many ticks
    bonuses:
      attack_bonus: 0
      strength_bonus: 0
      science_bonus: 0
      science_percent_bonus: 0
      ranged_bonus: 0
      ranged_strength_bonus: 0
    # Per-type defenses become METHOD EFFICIENCY: low = that approach works well.
    defenses:
      stab_defense: 40           # stabbing a frame: useless
      slash_defense: 40
      crush_defense: 0           # hammering panels in: efficient
      science_defense: 10        # an analysis deck (science weapon): works
      ranged_defense: 10         # a rivet gun / scanner (ranged weapon): works
  size: medium
drops:                           # the "payment" for the labour — same drop system as combat
  loot:
    - item_id: credits
      weight: 95
      quantity: 40
    - item_id: coal
      weight: 5
      quantity: 1
```

Key points:

- **All combat styles work.** Melee, ranged (consumes ammo as "supplies") and science decks (consume junk) all apply progress. The per-type `*_defense` values steer which method is *efficient* without forbidding any — a rock might have low `crush_defense` but high `stab_defense`.
- **XP and buffs are identical to combat** — driven by your attack style (accurate/aggressive/defensive/balanced) and split into the combat skills. This is a non-violent way to train Accuracy/Strength/Defense/Ranged/Science/Hitpoints.
- **No special equipment.** Task mobs are designed around the weapons and bonuses you already have. There is no separate "tool" equipment set.
- **Progress decays exactly like inverted mob regen.** A task you stop working on slowly loses progress over time (the same regen that heals combat mobs, displayed inverted).
- **One worker at a time**, the same 1-v-1 lock as combat.

---