Why do damaged Pfhor attack each other?

For topics about the story, help in a certain level, game discussion, or finding/discussing content.
Post Reply
Zetren
Born on Board
Posts: 31
Joined: Feb 9th '16, 02:58
Location: Ireland

~
User avatar
Pfhorrest
Vidmaster
Posts: 1847
Joined: Oct 12th '07, 22:08
Location: California
Contact:

Because the berserker flag is set in their physics models.

Oh, you mean in-story? Cause bugs be crazy yo.
User avatar
PerseusSpartacus
Mjolnir Mark IV
Posts: 334
Joined: Apr 30th '12, 05:03
Location: Somewhere in the 19th Century...

Actually, not all Pfhor do this, only certain ones. In a Marathon physics model, each monster/alien can be tagged as a 'Berserker' (located under 'Behavior Settings'). A monster with this tag turned on will show the behavior you've probably been noticing, which is to say, when significantly damaged, 'Berserker' monsters will attack anything in sight, regardless of its normal Friend-or-Foe settings.

As a general rule, only Major Pfhor have this tag actually turned on in the game. So, green and orange Fighters will not go berserk, but purple and blue ones will. This can be quite useful, as it allows you to let a whole group of enemies annihilate each-other while you simply wait around the corner listening or watching to determine when the killing has stopped.
User avatar
philtron
Mjolnir Mark IV
Posts: 356
Joined: Apr 20th '12, 05:27
Contact:

It's because of shell shock.
User avatar
PerseusSpartacus
Mjolnir Mark IV
Posts: 334
Joined: Apr 30th '12, 05:03
Location: Somewhere in the 19th Century...

I'm not sure it's shell shock, but I do know that the Pfhor are prone to unusual neurological, psychological, and mental occurrences. [MGrin]
Zetren
Born on Board
Posts: 31
Joined: Feb 9th '16, 02:58
Location: Ireland

Interesting. Is there a specific canonical reason for this trait? I come from a Halo (PC) background where the importance of hierarchy in the Covenant meant that Elites could regularly abuse Grunts at whim without consequences. Similar was the relationship between Brutes and Elites.
User avatar
philtron
Mjolnir Mark IV
Posts: 356
Joined: Apr 20th '12, 05:27
Contact:

Zetren wrote:Interesting. Is there a specific canonical reason for this trait?
They are bad guys and they are mean.
User avatar
PerseusSpartacus
Mjolnir Mark IV
Posts: 334
Joined: Apr 30th '12, 05:03
Location: Somewhere in the 19th Century...

Yeah, this is never really even made reference to in any of the Marathon terminals. The nature of Pfhor society is, itself, somewhat difficult to comprehend, though attempts have clearly been made.
Cathunter
Cyborg
Posts: 135
Joined: May 10th '07, 21:18
Location: Utopia Planitia
Contact:

"as it allows you to let a whole group of enemies annihilate each-other while you simply wait around the corner listening or watching to determine when the killing has stopped."

Once I found there was a bunch of troopers behind the next door, far more than I could take on and survive. I opened the door, fired a grenade through and kept slamming the door closed. I finally opened it just in time to see the last two troopers annihilate each other. Amusing but a bit of an anticlimax.
User avatar
herecomethej2000
Mjolnir Mark IV
Posts: 633
Joined: Jan 22nd '06, 17:26
Contact:

Because Doom did it
Post Reply