I get it, it's kind of inverse version of herding an (invisible) elk to a corner on land. That's clever
@Dr.Hossa. I'll be sure to add that to my repertoire.
Also, good, you pointed out something I neglected to specify:
of course with missile weapons it's best to target the body (or the head, if you're feeling lucky).
I meant to
target legs only while in melee, preferably with blunt weapons (not only to preserve hide, but to cause crush injuries in legs). They are terrible dodgers and they tend to
fall down (roll on their back? cringe in agony? lift their head at you and make sealish war-cry?), giving you another go at pounding it's skull into a jelly*. I'll just quote
@Dungeon Smash:
...Aiming for the legs/flippers seems to be a good way to keep it from getting away, then once it's mostly immobilized you can attack the skull...
My characters almost exclusively use blunt end of stone axe until they get a mace (EDIT: or a grainflail). The bigger spears do a lot of damage so at least one thrust should be ok without excessive damage to the hide. With a spear in melee I'd
consider targeting vitals, not legs.
If you have a marooned character who doesn't have a raft and a
paddle ready, mind that deep puncture wounds are more likely to cause serious bleeding which often leads to the critter dying offshore where you can't reach it. That's a reason to favor melee
in certain circumstances.The "baying(?)" method described by Dr. Hossa's sounds like a good way to keep the animal where you want it. If lacking/running out of missiles, I'm guessing it could still be used to herd the seal on a beach with more cover, even a premade row of shelters. What do you reckon,
@Dr.Hossa?
Like doc said above, these are some tricks of the trade we have caught on the way. I don't think there are best methods, just different tactics. Choice of tactic depends on context (my and Matt Easton's favo
urite word). A blizzard-weathered ol' seal hunter will have tried them all (or maybe have some of them in the toolbox in the original wrapper, because the perfect opportunity never presented itself)
Blah blah blah...* Reference to another roguelike! I will give a crumpled parchment to first one that can tell.