User:Morgan Blair/Sandbox2

I've always had issues with the building status criteria, because those provided often don't apply to specific situations. In other cases, the numbers seem to be scaled a bit high, compared to many situations that should probably qualify. Here are a few specifics:

Really safe?

For example, "safe" really isn't determined by a specific number of zombies outside the building, but could be better estimated by the ratio of zeds to survivors (with Construction). For example, a single survivor can easily hold off two zeds in a barricade war (outside of statistical anomalies, a single zed burning through 50 AP will not break through EHB, and doesn't have good odds at getting through VSB in one go, either). If the two zeds aren't coordinating, and the single survivor logs on between their separate attacks, then that survivor might hold them off indefinitely. However, if the ratio changes to 1 to 3, that sole survivor is doomed. Likewise, two survivors could potentially hold off 4 zeds indefinitely, and be neck-and-neck with 5 zeds (in terms of comparative AP costs), but 2-against-4 have lower chances then the 1-against-2 (because of the increased likelihood of coordination, or simultaneous uncoordinated attacks). So, a building with 5 survivors and 14 zeds outside might indeed be "safe", while a building with 4 survivors and 11 zeds outside is most decidedly "unsafe", in the opinion of a survivor with a vested interest in staying alive.

"ransacked" vs. "in zombie hands"

So, what if some of the blocks are ransacked, there are 11 zombies standing inside (and 0 outside), along with 12 survivors, but it's no a Rot Revive clinic? Obviously, it's a lost cause, but the only status that wouldn't exclude this scenario is "safe". What about a single zed slowly swaying inside an intact building where a lone survivor sleeps, and the door wide open (and no zeds outside)? Once again, it can be nothing but "safe". Loopholes, to be certain, but illustrative.

50 for "under siege"?

Er, maybe for a select few notable/historic buildings where a large number of survivors are making a stand, but in less glorified circumstances, I think that any time the noun 'horde' appears to describe the zeds outside (and the survivors have not yet been overrun), it's fully qualifies as a "siege". It's more about the quality of the battle taking place, then the number of zeds, but that's even more difficult to quantify. Suffice it to say, in more situations then not, if even the smallest "horde" (21 zeds, right?) is unsuccessful in immediately taking a given building, there must be a whole lot of resisting going on, and if it last more then a day, my opinion is that it's a "siege". Remember, this is my "opinion".

Why was "ruined" so bad?

While I'm by no means trying to revive the old edit war over the "ruined" status, I personally find the distinction to be significant. If your character carries a toolbox, then it really is no matter, but if you don't—and I currently don't, because I'm working with NecroWatch, and aside from a single radio and two FAKs, I carry nothing but gennys and fuel—then the difference between "ransacked" and "ruined" appears more significant.

Changes suggested

So, I'd like to suggest that we consider modifying the status criteria to be a bit more adaptive to the wide range of possible situations that we all find ourselves in. I'll give my first draft (remember, this is just a suggestion), and I'd appreciate as much input as anyone else would care to give. They probably need to be simplified a bit more... I will not be making any changes to the template unless a consensus is achieved.

I'm not proposing the following as the exact wording, rather, the "criteria". I'm not very good at describing things in their most simple terms..."

"safe"

current: For buildings with less than 15 zombies outside.

• For buildings with barricades at a minimum of VSB (and with no zombies inside), and:
  • Where there are 2 or less zombies outside, regardless of survivor numbers; or,
  • Where there are 3-10 zombies outside, and there are at least half that number of survivors inside capable of barricading.

"under attack"

current: For buildings with 15-50 zombies outside.

• For buildings with any number of zombies inside, where the number of survivors is not less.
• Or, where there are 3-10 zombies outside, and:
  • Less then half that number of survivors inside capable of barricading; or,
  • The barricades either are or have recently fallen below VSB.
• Or, for buildings with 11-20 zombies outside (a mob).

"under siege"

current: For buildings with more than 50 standing zombies outside.

• For buildings with more then 20 zombies outside (a horde).

"ransacked"

current: If any blocks of a building are ransacked or ruined, with no more than 10 zombies standing inside.

• For buildings

"ruined"

current: Not in use.

"in zombie hands"

current: If all blocks of a building are ransacked or ruined, or the population of zombies inside the building is higher than the population of survivors.

"rebuilding"

current: If the survivors recently recaptured the building.

• For buildings with barricades below VSB, with less then 3 zeds outside.

"unknown"

current: If the building's status is unknown.

• For buildings who's status has not been updated in over a week.

"rot revive"

current: For NT buildings used to revive rotters. For NecroTech buildings that the local survivor population have designated as a Brain Rot Revive Clinic.