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Launch Bestiary Plan

Review of the Original Count

Twenty monsters total is too low for this kind of game. In an async MMO, players will repeat expeditions often, compare routes, and grind local knowledge. They will burn through a twenty-enemy roster too quickly.

Launch centers on one region — Frontier Marches — with Trevalkaan as the main hub city. The enemy roster needs to stay interesting across repeated expeditions from that one base.

Target at least:

  • 30 distinct enemies
  • 6 active monster families
  • 6 elite encounters
  • 3 boss or apex encounters
  • 10+ hazard or special event packages

Distinct enemies should mean different behaviors, drops, or tactical pressure. Palette swaps should not count unless they materially change the encounter.

Why the Number Still Needs to Be Meaningful

  • hunt missions repeat often
  • survey missions revisit the same areas
  • knowledge systems encourage repeated local engagement
  • route boards send players back to familiar sites
  • group content needs multiple encounter patterns to stay interesting

Launch Distribution Model

Frontier Marches Pack (Trevalkaan and March Ring)

Recommended content target:

  • 22 standard enemies
  • 6 elite enemies
  • 3 bosses or named threats

Primary families:

  • Beasts
  • Goblinoids
  • Raiders and Brigands
  • Undead
  • Vermin and Swarms
  • Constructs and Guardians (ruins content)

Roaming and Event Threat Layer

Recommended content target:

  • 2 roaming elites
  • 1 rare boss tied to a march-wide dynamic event

This layer keeps event boards and route pressure from feeling identical every week.

Future Regional Growth

When additional regions open, the target should rise to 60+ distinct enemies across a wider family plan. Frontier Marches enemies should remain relevant through elite variants and veteran-tier encounters, not be retired.

Content Density Rule

Each launch region should have enough enemy variety to support:

  • beginner hunts
  • mid-tier contracts
  • enclosed site content
  • escort disruption threats
  • rare spawn excitement
  • knowledge mastery loops

Boss Cap and Escalation

The launch region's hard cap of 3 bosses or apex encounters is enforced by the creature grade escalation system. Any creature that survives unkilled for 7 daily ticks (~1 week) is eligible for Boss promotion. The region cap of 3 ensures the launch map cannot be overrun. See creature-grade-escalation.md for the full system design.