Exploding Objects

[Nikita_Sadkov]

So Doom had barrels, that were simple and effective. Heretic introduced these movable organic balls, that kept respawning in some rooms. But Hexen had no exploding environment objects, despite introducing traps, like walls shooting fireballs (that were also potent at killing monsters). What was the design reason for the omission of exploding objects in Hexen?

[Avoozl]

I don't really think there was a reason, they just didn't think about adding anything of the like.

[Nikita_Sadkov]

12 minutes ago, Avoozl said:

I don't really think there was a reason, they just didn't think about adding anything of the like.

Exploding stuff is always fun, so I'm sure they were thinking about it, especially because Doom engine already supported it. Then exploding objects were also missing in Quake and Hexen 2, so that is obviously a design decision.

[Da Werecat]

Quake has exploding objects, but they're unique to techbase levels.

 

Not sure about Hexen 2. I think there were powder barrels, but they probably weren't very common.

[Matthias (LiquidDoom)]

Hexen has poisoned mashrooms - they're better!

[HexenMapper]

Hexen has flechettes - player thrown explodables.

 

I would rather have a flechette I can place wherever I like than having to rely on a pre-placed barrel or gasbag

[Nikita_Sadkov]

20 minutes ago, HexenMapper said:

Hexen has flechettes - player thrown explodables.

 

I would rather have a flechette I can place wherever I like than having to rely on a pre-placed barrel or gasbag

Fletchettes are different from exploiting the environment. Although Hexen also has repulsion discs, used to push monsters into bottomless pits or into other traps.

[Memfis]

Depending on the class you choose, you might have to use melee weapons for quite some time. Exploding objects are simply a little too dangerous to use when you're in that state. And in the later levels you already have very powerful weapons and the monsters are tougher too, so weak barrels aren't really needed anymore.

[Pegg]

It has exploding stuff, just look at my avatar!

[leodoom85]

10 minutes ago, Pegg said:

It has exploding stuff, just look at my avatar!

Yup, the bishops does a bit of splash damage when they die...

[Pegg]

Well they do.. The hexen player classes have a stupid overpowered amount of splash damage resistance that trivializes everything but meneilker's op bloodscourge.

[Nikita_Sadkov]

1 hour ago, Memfis said:

Depending on the class you choose, you might have to use melee weapons for quite some time. Exploding objects are simply a little too dangerous to use when you're in that state. And in the later levels you already have very powerful weapons and the monsters are tougher too, so weak barrels aren't really needed anymore.

Hurray! You solved the mystery!

[Marlamir]

2 hours ago, Memfis said:

Depending on the class you choose, you might have to use melee weapons for quite some time. Exploding objects are simply a little too dangerous to use when you're in that state. And in the later levels you already have very powerful weapons and the monsters are tougher too, so weak barrels aren't really needed anymore.

great explanation memfis