I also want to give an update on what we're proposing to adjust.

1. Gold has been rescaled, bumped up for the higher end critters, and has also been adjusted for creatures that needed adjustment (e.g., Solen Queens should now yield better loot than the warriors/infiltrators, crystal elementals got a boost, as well as bog things, enslaved gargoyles and the fire gargoyles, rotting corpses, etc.)

2. Min and Max intensities were adjusted in the loot tables for non-boss higher end critters. There were a lot of cases where nothing was the result. This has been adjusted as well.

3. Dungeon Chest loot has been bumped up as well. Adjusted min and max intensities, gold, and # items.

I tested Plague Beasts, and they appear to grow in power just fine when provoked. They gain hit points, and they gain loot, so I'm not sure what's wrong with them. Their AI doesn't appear to have changed since I last engaged them in combat with my bard, unless their AI was recently fixed internally.

Definitely when you get a chance, hop onto a Test Center - once these changes are there - and let me know what y'all think. If anything seems too much or too little as far as loot is concerned, we can always adjust it appropriately.

Thanks again for all your feedback!

and...

Thanks. I definitely encourage you though to test the changes on the Test Center. If there is anything glaringly wrong about them, we can and will make adjustments.

Again, I really appreciate all the feedback. You all are the best.

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Not on a Public Test Center yet. Hopefully, soon.

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I found where code was removed during AoS for the Ant Lions to randomly spawn 'an unknown rogue's skeleton'. Internally, I put that code back and tested it. After killing quite a few of them, I managed to find one. I submitted this change to be further tested.

I haven't tracked down the metal chests that use to spawn with fed plague beasts. I'll note this though, and try to fix it when I'm able.

Edit: Wanted to clarify that there are three random skeletons, not just the rogue (i.e., rogue, mage, and bard).

Edit: I found where the metal chests were also commented out in the plague beast AI code prior to AoS. I internally put them back as well.

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Comment: Are you just adjusting monster loot, or are you also looking at a way to move spawn around?

Binky: Working on spawn improvements as well adjusting monster/dungeon chest loot. The debut for the spawn improvements will be in a champion spawn like style spawn in Ilshenar. But after this, I would like to see spawn improvements elsewhere, not necessarily all out champion spawns, but maybe in the form of invasions, or mini champ spawns, etc.

For example, maybe after farming a certain creature for a bit, then more creatures like it or different spawn, or maybe a random boss like creature spawns, that kind of stuff. I'm not making any promises here, but this is the type of stuff we would like to accomplish with the new spawner changes. Fertbert and I will keep you all posted about this when we have more information to share.

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I will be reviewing the treasure hunting chests and comparing them to the monster backpacks that were tweaked and see if treasure hunting chests need adjustment as well.

I do appreciate you bringing this to my attention, Dizzy. I've been lurking over at the Treasure Hunter board to read your responses.

- Leurocian,
Designer, Ultima Online Live