Board Thread:Suggestions/@comment-30248084-20190930213257

[NEW] - Mob Suggestion: The Sponger - (REMAKE)
'''NOTICE: This is only a suggestion and is not even considered to be completely official. It is unlikely that a Zombie such as this will likely even be in the game at all. TL;DR is NOW included in this discussion!'''

Welcome back to another mob suggestion ladies and gentlemen! So for this one will be a complete remake in it's appearance, statistics and abilities on this specific mob - the Sponger. I understand there will be mixed feelings (as some of you will say this is a Dread Zombie Inspiration) with this mob, but I had thought long and hard to differentiate between them - while still appearing original, and besides, I like the look of this mob. Ahem, so anyways, think as you may, though feel free to see what I have brought onto the table this time!

Summary
The Sponger is a slow, heavily armored zombie that takes a complete appearance of the formal member of the Police Force equipped in Riot Armor. While it's speed and health can be resembled to the Ticker, the major difference is that this mob is capable to wield a shield to protect itself - and in this case, other mobs - from the many weapons used by Survivors, and if given the chance, bash their own shield to daze survivors to have their melee attacks and gun accuracy be crippled for a time.

Unlike all of the zombies, they are capable to survive from Explosive Weapons - to which would cost them their shield than their own life. However, the shield can still be destroyed by conventional weapons - although will take some time. Besides having some explosive resistance, they are virtually immune to Stun and Trip weapons thanks to the very gear that they wear.

If used and played strategically, it could be a vast game-changer to how zombies would be dealt with - especially within tight and small areas.

Background Story
Hearing of zombies being in bulky armor is nothing new to survivors, it has been that way ever since the collapse of Modern Society - while also considering that they were very few in number. Lots of things can happen out in this eerie and un-natural apocalypse - which unfortunately comes to this, as bulkish zombies have been attracted by Survivor interference.

However, these Spongers - which most are generally named - are capable to wield (and in some cases, use) riot shields and seen off of some old security footage, provide protection to zombies. No matter how one may think, they are an absolute danger in small spaces and tight corridors, and to encounter them will require quick thinking to keep these things from clustering to be a virtual shield for the zombie horde.

Controls & Abilities'
Scratch: The Sponger's primary attack. Using it's free hand, it's attack speed is what differentiates with Normal Zombie's - which is faster than a normal. However, the mob deals only 5 HP Damage when struck onto a Survivor.

Consumes no energy.

Shield Bash: The Sponger - when it readies it's shield (after ~2.5s of animation time) - can swipe it's Shield-arm into any closest survivor(s) in it's arm's range. Being in contact would inflict 10 HP Damage and giving the Survivor the Dazed Effect - this makes Melee Combat tedious for survivors.

Consumes 1/2 of it's energy when readying to swipe. Whether missing or successfully hitting the target depends on reacting at the right time. Can only affect one Survivor at a time!

Defensive: The Sponger immediately covers its whole body with its shield, for at which the mob will look into the direction to where the player move's their Cursor - even capable to look up and defend itself from open fire from high structures. While the mob can move around, it cannot attack in this state, and have a reduced walkspeed of 10 - However, the mob can act as a complete protective shield to it's allies!

Consumes 2.5 energy per second unless manually stopped or out of energy. Unable to attack when you are in your Defensive mode!

Dazed [Effect]: When the Sponger successfully shield bashes a Survivor, they will receive the Dazed Effect. This effect reduces Melee Damage and Ranged Accuracy on weapons by -80% while also staggering your movement speed by -3 - which has a time of ~7.5s until the effect is removed. This can be avoided if you keep your distance from the Sponger!

How It Would Look Like: A circle of stars will spin around the survivor to show the effect (and if possible) blur the Survivor's vision (screen) while hiding name tags for the limited ~7.5s time-frame.

Note: Survivors are STILL able to use their weapons and sprint, but expect your performance to be poor until the effect wears off!

Reinforced Riot Gear [Passive]: The Sponger's armor is built to protect the user from all sorts of physical and weapon trauma, which virtually makes this mob impossible to stun and trip, while having some extra cushioning to resist explosive damage by 30% - while it is not too significant to the stats found in the Flakvest.

However, using Ice (Ammunition Type) and hit the mob - so long as you do not hit its shield, would completely incapacitate it and be dealt with little to no struggle..

Shield Life [Passive]: The Sponger's shield is its primary defensive tool. The Shield has a set amount of life to absorb both melee and range damage; while ignoring the Hard Impact Effect on all ranged weapons and survive a few rockets from the Tri-Blaster and M202, while lastly surviving only one direct strike from an RPG. Once The Shield's own health pool reaches 0, the Shield will break, leaving the Sponger exposed to be easily dealt with.

It does NOT protect the mob from Fire based weapons and items, Airstrike's can INSTANTLY kill this mob!

Reward Cash: Protection [Passive]: Unlike all of the mobs, the Sponger is capable to earn +3$ Cash when being shot at (when its shield absorbs the damage). The reward is increased by +3$ Cash for each (or any) mob that is 2.5 studs or closer from the Sponger when it absorbs the Survivor's damage with its shield. This feature is to reward teamwork while also protecting key or certain mobs from Survivors.

The Reward will be disabled when your shield is destroyed!

Pros

 * Moderate Health
 * Secondary Health (Shield)
 * Decent Kill Reward
 * Can Earn Cash (When Shield Absorbs Damage)
 * Immune to Stun & Trip Effects
 * Some Resistance to Explosions

Cons

 * Expensive Purchase
 * Low Spawn Chance
 * Slow Walkspeed
 * Low Damage
 * Abilities Consume More Energy
 * Attacks Single Targets At A Time
 * Long Cooldown Time (Spawning)

TL;DR
[Straight To The Point]: View Statistics, Pros/Cons & Controls & Abilities Information for a brief view on how this Mob's mechanics work - then post your opinions on what changes should be needed.

[Other Notes]: It is not required to read everything. If you wish to do so - do what pleases you.

[EDITS]: - N/A

Conclusion
And that concludes the Discussion.

But hey, this is only a suggestion! So if it does get accepted, do not take the stats/model listed here as fact - as they are succeptable to change by the owner's decision.

Hopefully you guys like my suggestion!

Feel free to leave a kudo - either by love or liberty - I am not forcing any of you to like this.

=( Lost Ratchet )= 