Infected Dogs

[ZedsDeadBaby 2287]

rocket has dropped hints of a canine companion mechanic on several occasions. Along with more player fortifications, it is probably as close as we have to a "confirmed" feature in the future.

So, I propose a corollary: infected dogs.

Infected dogs could:

• Be far more rare than infected humans.
  
• Have decreased sight capacity.
  
• Have increased hearing capacity.
  
• Have improved scent and tracking.
  
• Move more quickly than infected humans.
  
• Do less damage than standard zombies but have an increased chance to cause bleeding (bites).
  
• Bark to alert nearby zombies. Oh, shit. Now it's on.
  

This wouldn't particularly change player strategies or really alter the game in any significant way, so it's probably not a high priority mechanic - but it would be really, really cool and add to the atmosphere and enemy variety.

Edited July 11, 2012 by ZedsDeadBaby

[Robert Shannon 27]

One thing I would hate about this is the move more quickly than the infected humans, they are fast as hell by themselves.

[Siri302 37]

How much are you suggesting it takes to put one down though? I'm hoping one shot, since one - if not more, if you suggest they could retain some social behavior among other infected dogs also - would be pretty terrifying because of how fast they'd be. I can imagine sneaking through a forest at night and hearing a blood curdling howl in the distance behind me, flicking my torch on over my shoulder and seeing their eyes reflected in the beam. Awesome.

Since that's a picture of a doberman, it leads me to think they could specifically be guard dog type infected, so you could find them spawning in factory/industrial areas where they could have been used prior to the infection?

[ZedsDeadBaby 2287]

I think they would have to be one shot kills, yes, because as you say they would be terrifying - especially if more than one were present (which would be rare).

Not to mention they have a smaller frame so would be harder to hit.

So, yeah, I would say one shot to down them.

But can you imagine that bark? Not a normal bark but something guttural and terrible? Especailly at night?

I'm scared just thinking about it.

And, yes, I was thinking industrial/military sites: K9 crime units, bomb sniffing dogs, etc.

All the weaker dogs and lesser breeds have been eaten for meat by now. ;)