Many variables are considered when
computing the damage done when attacking a monster. And most are
included in a non-linear fashion. It seems quite impossible
to summarize the results in a formula or in words. So I have
drawn a couple of flowcharts of the code. The names of the
variables in these flowcharts are commonly the names of the registers
used to hold the variables in the Atari code. Anyone who studies
these diagrams and can suggest better names will find that I am eager
to redraw the diagrams with the new names. Moreover, I would very
much like to include some description in words. So if you can
help me out, let me know.
One function, named '
DetermineThrowingDistance'
is used in several places (and for different purposes, it seems) to
determine the effectiveness of a weapon. It should probably be
renamed but I don't know yet what its name should be. It takes
into account the skill required to use the weapon or object and the
condition of the Hero's hand that is manipulating the object and the
weight of the object, etc. There are 20 skills altogether, with
the player seeing only the basic 'Strength', 'Dexterity', etc.
The function '
DeterminePhysicalAttackDamage'
is called to determine the number of Hitpoints to subtract from a
monster. Notice that 'Non-Material' beings and the 'Vorpal Blade'
and the 'Dispell' attack are treated as special cases in the
code. Also, the 'Diamond Edge' and the 'Executioner' are special
cases. Notice also that there are several places where the damage
done is set to zero and in each of these cases the player's Stamina is
changed by 2 or 3. When the damage is non-zero stamina is changed
by 4 to 7.
