The Late Game

[Narvius]

I'd leave it in. Really, if you don't like it, don't use it. It adds variety [if you use other ways, too].

[Zero]

It seems the problem is due to the fact that the arrow/bolt/beam/ball starts one tile away from the character. If it was changed so that the projectile starts in the @'s tile, that should make it only able to hit things that are in the @'s line of sight, right?

I mean, I understand this:

####
@  #
##p#
 #p#
 #p#

and being able to hit things as they're coming around a corner. That sort-of makes sense, since at least @ has line of sight to the target, even if the target doesn't have line of sight to @. But this "hockey stick" thing is really weird, because it allows @ to hit things @ can't even see, which means the projectile must be turning in mid-air.

"That must have been one magic missile!"

Couldn't resist.

[Narvius]

I prefer the way it is. It increases the survival rate of my mages in lower levels...

#####  C - Fang / Grip
.@..#
###C#

That explains it ^.^

[Edit]
Ah, okay. I just carefully read your post. But I'm still for leaving it in =P

[Garrie]

Look it's called an approximation of tactics.

In armoured warefare there is an important distinction between "turret down" where you can see over a hill (but your turret ie gun is behind cover) and "hull down" where your turret is exposed... but you can shoot (and "hull up" (AKA "c**t up" where you get your arse blown off).

Good use of this puts a vehicle commander in a position where he can kill the enemy without being killed.

That is the hockey stick: a tactical position in the dungeon from which I can attack the enemy without being exposed to his attacks. Unfortunately ASCII graphics and the existing dungeon modification methods (either tunnel a 10*10*10 cube or don't) do not really leave room for finese in displaying:

"I've just taken three hours to dig a tunnel from which I can be a sniper"

Instead we end up with a hockey stick, which the enemy can actuall penetrate if he is clever / bull-headed / not scared.