Once you get careful vision it becomes incredibly frustrating to use scan all in some mob-crowded areas (Hamsah, Aryth and frigid wastes are the worst) because the resulting spam fills up as much as 2-3 screens.

Perhaps make it possible to "scan close" that makes you scan only as far as 2 rooms in all directions? Alternatively, how about "scan player" that would only show PCs but not any other scannable stuff?

As it is I don't see any use for scan with no arguments.

Plain scan does EXACTLY this...it scans all directions for as many rooms as you can see (based on level)...

It is HIGHLY useful, and HIGHLY effective for PK (especially vs sneaking folk etc)


The fact that you don't "use scan with no arguments" is definitely hampering your PK ability.

The next thing I will do is try and educate you on how I take advantage of this

I use Zmud...I use a variable which I've conveniently called "Target" I highlight that variable in yellow on my output, so as I change the variable it displays the 'target' in yellow.

Example: If I set my 'target' variable to Sarien, whenever the mud outputs "Sarien" its in yellow.

So, when I scan all...I see all directions, and if my "target" is in one of the rooms, it comes back as yellow - this is quite handy


Third edit - I am going to actually GIVE you the aliases/triggers to make this happen in ZMUD/CMUD. Because, I'm feeling generous. Here is what I do for my targeting system

#alias {tt} {#var @target %1}

This alias sets 'tt' to be your target alias. So, if I want to hunt Sarien, I simply type

tt sarien

which sets my @target variable to Sarien

I then employ this

#trigger {@target} {#cw yellow}

This causes the @target variable (Sarien from the example above) to be output by the client in bold yellow. This works for partial names too, if for example you typed 'tt sar' it would display the Sar in Sarien as yellow (very good for hunting)

Next, I set up actual aliases for skills etc, and I do so in this format

#alias {r} {bash @{target}%param(0)}

Now...this alias will set my r key to bash @target, or in this case "Bash Sarien" when I enter 'r' The rest of the whizz-whazz in the alias is the following. If I hit tt and 'clear' my target, you can then type

r bob

to "bash bob" the %param(0) allows you to append text on the fly to the alias.

I have many different keys aliased to many different abilities, they all use this basic formula. If people are interested in my full hunting alias/trigger setup...I'll share more.

PROTECTED civilized <100%hp 97%m 85%mv 7499tnl (0.01%) 4 PM> scan
The Center of Market Square


Zindani practices his forms here.
A nomad trader walks the city streets.
An elderly woman squats here, begging for coins.
An elderly woman squats here, begging for coins.
A warrior dressed in the hides of a nomad stands here.
A warrior dressed in the hides of a nomad stands here.
A nomad trader is here re-adjusting the weight of his pack.

PROTECTED civilized <100%hp 97%m 85%mv 7499tnl (0.01%) 4 PM> sca all
You scan north.
***** Range 1 *****
A nomad trader walks the city streets.
A perfumed woman dressed in a revealing shift eyes the crowd.
A merchant stands amidst a pile of hemp rugs, selling his wares.
Tied to a hitch, a camel stands here, spitting into the crowd.
Tied to a hitch, a camel stands here, spitting into the crowd.
Tied to a hitch, a camel stands here, spitting into the crowd.

***** Range 2 *****
A soldier of the Sultan's army stands here, on guard duty.

You scan south.
***** Range 1 *****
A commoner of Hamsah Mu'tazz stands here wrapped in colorful clothes.
A perfumed woman dressed in a revealing shift eyes the crowd.
A perfumed woman dressed in a revealing shift eyes the crowd.
A woman in dull-colored cloaks and wraps is here.
A woman in dull-colored cloaks and wraps is here.

***** Range 2 *****
A nomad trader walks the city streets.
A dark-skinned sword-for-hire pushes his way through the crowds.

You scan east.
***** Range 1 *****
An alley cat sits here watching you.
A dark-skinned sword-for-hire pushes his way through the crowds.
A perfumed woman dressed in a revealing shift eyes the crowd.
A perfumed woman dressed in a revealing shift eyes the crowd.
A humming man dressed in red and white linen is shopping here.
A woman leans on her cart full of textiles, speaking with other traders.

***** Range 2 *****
A commoner of Hamsah Mu'tazz stands here wrapped in colorful clothes.

You scan west.
***** Range 1 *****
A lost child wanders around here, crying.
Sitting cross-legged in the dirt, an ascetic sits here muttering prayers.
Sitting cross-legged in the dirt, an ascetic sits here muttering prayers.
A woman dressed in crushed velvet stands here singing a prayer.
A woman dressed in skins and feathers stands here quietly.

You scan up.
You scan down.

Yea uh...so...

it turns out I have 'scan' aliased to "scan all"...it seems at one point in my CF career I 100% agreed with you and 'fixed' the problem on my own for myself!

:P

The other stuff I wrote about my aliases/triggers is still good tho ;)