Differentiate the two "Hook Horror" spawns

[Sankis]

There are at least two different types of Hook Horror in existence that are both called "Hook Horror". This seems okay in itself but one "Hook Horror" is a reasonable newbie group spawn and the other is a type has more HP, more AB, and will probably kill you.

One tends to spawn closer to Sanctuary while the other tends to spawn closer to Fort Mur. However, this isn't definite and it seems possible for the harder type to spawn closer to Sanctuary. I know of at least one person who attacked a single hook horror a couple zones from town assuming it was the lower level variant only to get decimated.

I propose that, if it's possible, the more difficult, higher AB, higher damage "Hook Horror" spawn be renamed to something like "Adult Hook Horror" or "Vicious Hook Horror" since the difference is extreme enough that it seems like something a character may be able to tell while looking at it.

[djspectre]

I second this only on the basis that there is a precedent of using this naming strategy already. Namely with Umberhulks vs Behemoth Umberhulks and the 'war horror' vs regular hook horrors.

I think changing the name to represent a different breed of creature is necessary since it probably looks different to the characters in-game despite the NWN engine only having a limited number of Hook Horror models available.

[HalflingPower]

I was under the impression that hook horror stats were somewhat randomized.

[Yalta]

Some also have DR whilst others do not. Would be nice to tell the difference. I imagine such as DR would be observable in some way shape or form?

[Paha]

Not all of them are identical.

[Zango_Unchained]

No two aberrants are identical, and many Ordinants have been saying that for a long time. There is a book ig that literally says that "Aberrants cannot be classified by one trait they all share, due to how strange and abstract they are to our minds." or something along said lines. As a rule when you encounter one monster don't expect it to be the same as another just because the floating name says it is.

[Ebok]

Not all of them are identical.

This feels exceptionally vague. Primarily due to the fact that them being visually identical is precisely the reason this suggestion was posted. So to clarify, do you mean that it is intentional that two drastically different challenge rating monsters look in all ways identical to the player? Or... simply that there are many various strength hook horrors in the underdark?

If it the former, cool. If it's the latter, then this suggestion seems to be requesting that something (be that a description, or a floating name) reveal the variation.

[xXCrystal_Rose]

You could have ten thousand hook horrors in a room and no two of them are going to look the same. What he is saying is there is no way to visually identify any difference between a hook horror in order to tell if one is more physically powerful than another. Every single one of them look different. NWN doesn't have ten thousand different monster models for hook horrors though so you'll have to use a little creativity there.

Though with elders you can at least see one similarity in their skin color becoming more grey with age.

[Dredi]

I think the question is - would you be able to tell visually that one hook horror is stronger than another with higher stats , ac, dr, etc.

[Inquisitor]

Maybe make them bigger.

[Sankis]

You could have ten thousand hook horrors in a room and no two of them are going to look the same. What he is saying is there is no way to visually identify any difference between a hook horror in order to tell if one is more physically powerful than another. Every single one of them look different. NWN doesn't have ten thousand different monster models for hook horrors though so you'll have to use a little creativity there.

Though with elders you can at least see one similarity in their skin color becoming more grey with age.

This could be said of every creature but their CRs don't vary as wildly as the things called "Hook Horror" do.

[Yalta]

To my knowledge, such variability of CR on an otherwise identical mob is not found on any other spawned creature. There are different strength creatures but they are physically discernible from each other, either by name or size.

I guess it is cool if Hook Horrors are the one exception.

But if there is a logic that 'all hook horrors look the same, but can have very different CR', then why not every other creature that spawns? For example why are all eyeballs the same (those that are different being clearly identifiable as 'Greater')?

[ObsceneOoze]

Size doesn't define power, a smaller hook horror could be deadlier than a bigger one by ghe rule of no two hook horrors look the same.. really this request is only asking for a chance to suddenly "know that one is tougher because of a floating name that IGly we can't see" I understand the frustration but I kind of like the fact that I can't tell whether the abberant I'm looking at is super deadly or not.. makes me wary as we should be.. not just "oh hey that name obviously means he's weaker we shouldn't be afraid" id rather be "I see a hook horror.. Hells would it be wise.. to attack it?". Normally I'd agree with the first post but when it comes to abberants we should never be sure what we are facing..

[Aefar]

I like this risk... this trying and creating possible retreat or special strategy, if the hook horror is stronger than I assumed. There is something thrilling and exciting in it. My suggestion would be vice versa. No "Behemots", no "Sword" Spiders - simply spiders and Umber Hulks - and maximally another model.

[AllMYBudgies]

It would be better for a sense of immersion to completely disregard the notion that you should have any idea mechanically, or on any out of character level, of what to expect from the enemies you face. Hook Horrors may be dangerous, or they may be a walk in the park. That's how it is :)