Difficulty rework

Gone are difficulty levels. Instead, Zombies has sub-modes each with their own unique gimmick.

Basic Each corpse respawns as a zombie. When that zombie dies, it is reduced to a heap. Every other mode builds on this. Draugr Overkill does not remove the corpse. It has to be damaged again before it becomes a heap or nothing. Zombies always leave a corpse when they die, and that corpse can rise again. Forever. Wraith When a corpse is destroyed, a Wraith may spawn in its place. It acts as a respawn point that provides any zombie a 2/3rds chance to come back and get revenge on the living after a 3x base respawn time delay. Hydra Previously Nightmare. When a corpse becomes a zombie, it spawns 2 to 6 zombies. Akumu Basic, Draugr, Wraith, and Hydra combined.

Spidergeddon

A limited time event for the spooky season. It's Akumu, but zombies are converted into equivalent value of spider-like units.

Other changes:

• The max number of zombies spawned from a corpse has been reduced from 7->6.
• Zombies no longer are given bonus XP to toughen them up.
• Zombies can now effectively use aircraft. They will show up much more frequently now through Wraith and Akumu modes.
• Immobile low-value Zombie units now expire after several minutes.

Why?

• To provide more meaningful play variety at the lower difficulties.
• Make zombies a more persistent presence throughout the match. There tended to be a significant lull as the match dragged on.
• Bring down match lengths. Too frequently on akumu games dragged past 1 hour because of the incentives it gives to porc.
• Reduce the effectiveness of overkilling zombies. Sniper, Banisher, Pulsar, Starlight were used to great effect to circumvent the need to reclaim corpses.

Got feedback? You can always drop by the discord feedback thread.