Pentacle of Projection

Information:
Name: Pentacle of Projection
Type: Repulsion
Palette: Custom
Summon: PentacleOfProjection
Use type: Inventory
Duration: Instant
Added States: No
ACS: No

Credits:
Submitted: MagicWazard
Decorate: MagicWazard
GLDefs: N/A
Sounds: id Software
Sprites: MagicWazard (pentacle); Raven (blast effect)
Sprite Edit: MagicWazard
Idea Base: Hexen's Disc of Repulsion; Quake's Pentagram of Protection

Description:
A Doom-themed version of the Disc of Repulsion. It emits a blast wave on use that pushes away nearby enemies, and repels projectiles.

Preview:


Download:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vo9win4qxfm38hu/pentacleofprojection.zip?dl=0


This is a pretty basic item that replicates the function of the Disc of Repulsion, but in a Doom environment. The name is a play off of Quake's Pentagram of Protection. I've been wanting one of these for a while--not just because it's useful on its own merits, but also to hopefully counteract some of the community vitriol towards the Vore and its unique homing projectile that a lot of people seem to have trouble dealing with. (Can't dodge it? Reflect it!)

I'd like feedback on whether the sprite "works" or not in terms of style. (The sprite is a bit larger than it's displayed in-game, since a pentagram/pentacle shape just doesn't read well when it's too small.) Also, on whether the "blast effect" is acceptable, or how to improve it.

EDIT: Updated "credits" portion of OP since the submission includes some modified versions of Raven's sprites for the visible blast effect on monsters. Submission contents will be updated accordingly.

EDIT 2: Recolored the blast effect sprites, and changed their blending mode. (Old mode is commented out but not deleted.) Updated CREDITS lump to match OP credits info.

EDIT 3: Compressed and modified sound. Sprites updated. Not "done" yet.

EDIT 4: All sprites converted and compressed.

For me, the sprites have more of a Doom64 feel to them than Doom - not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

As for the blast effect, it could stand to be more obvious/visible, I think.

Blue Shadow wrote: For me, the sprites have more of a Doom64 feel to them than Doom - not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

I guess it's a quality problem, but still a valid one, since it's designed for use with Doom and not specifically Doom 64. Probably the gradients and custom palette are giving it too much of a rendered look. I'll see what I can do, but admittedly, I'm not great at matching particular styles. But that's OK, since I kind of want to reattempt it anyways.

Blue Shadow wrote: As for the blast effect, it could stand to be more obvious/visible, I think.

I made them bright (they weren't before) and removed the alpha value (so they're now effectively 1.0). I think it's an improvement.

Stylistically, is this better, worse, or about the same? Note that the real sprites are slightly higher-quality since this is a GIF and slightly lossy.


Here's a non-GIF version. Note the shadowing is somewhat stronger.

Hm... I find the original one to be better...

Maybe it's better to stick with the original, and to make it less Doom 64-ish, inverting the pentagram upside down could help, because as it stands, the sprite has some resemblance to the general look of the Demon Keys from Doom 64. And to improve on the look, the edges of the pentagram could do with being... what's the word... sharp, pointy? instead of being rounded.

I'll see what I can do. I'm sort of hit-or-miss with this kind of stuff, but I don't really mind the practice.

I'm sorry that you're going with a third revision because of my not-so-sure opinion. I promise I'll like it. :p

No worries. I wouldn't try to revise it if I didn't agree with you.

Dont know if a gif will animate on here but as a suggestion or an idea to help it fit with the doom vibe, maybe make it an orb perhaps?



edit: heh, ignore my crappy phoshoshop skills ::

badmojo91 wrote: Dont know if a gif will animate on here but as a suggestion or an idea to help it fit with the doom vibe, maybe make it an orb perhaps?

edit: heh, ignore my crappy phoshoshop skills ::

That's not bad, actually. Do you have a non-GIF version? I was trying to avoid the orb approach, since they're designed to be common consumables (and orb items tend to be highly powerful), but if I can't come up with anything better, then an orb could definitely work.