Heya. I've been working on a few custom creatures for kobold camp and perhaps vanilla DF. The idea is simple: neat, exotic creatures which take the place of traditional animals. I have no modding experience though, so I'm kind of stumbling in the dark. I've made one working creature, giant centipedes, which have paralyzing poison. I went in with the goal of making them tough enough to take down almost any animal one on one, but not so tough that an untrained dwarf in armor with a shield couldn't hold their own against it. I succeeded in balancing it out and it works well. I based the creature on giant desert scorpion RAWS for convenience and altered them, and borrowed some body tags by searching through the forum so I wouldn't screw it up too much. It's not perfected as a pet but it works in arena mode. Only problem is that for some reason attacks pass right through the things attached to it's head, which seems a bit wonky
Creature RAWS
[CREATURE:CENTIPEDE]
[DESCRIPTION:A giant centipede capable of paralyzing it's prey.]
[NAME:centipede:centipedes:centipede]
[CASTE_NAME:centipede:centipedes:centipede]
[CREATURE_TILE:'C'][COLOR:4:0:0]
[PETVALUE:70][NATURAL]
[LARGE_ROAMING]
[COMMON_DOMESTIC][TRAINABLE][PET]
[BIOME:SUBTERRANEAN_CHASM]
[NOPAIN][EXTRAVISION][NOSTUN][NOEMOTION][NOFEAR]
[LARGE_ROAMING][FREQUENCY:5][DIFFICULTY:3]
[POPULATION_NUMBER:3:10]
[CLUSTER_NUMBER:1:3]
[CARNIVORE][NATURAL]
[PARALYZEIMMUNE]
[LARGE_PREDATOR][MEANDERER]
[NOBONES]
[GRASSTRAMPLE:1]
[PREFSTRING:unnatural movement]
[PREFSTRING:many legs]
[PREFSTRING:hideous features]
[PREFSTRING:antennae]
[BODY:CENTIPEDE:HEART:GUTS:BRAIN:FORCIPULE]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:CHITIN_MATERIALS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:CHITIN_TISSUES]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:EXOSKELETON_TISSUE_LAYERS:CHITIN:FAT:MUSCLE]
[SELECT_TISSUE_LAYER:HEART:BY_CATEGORY:HEART]
[TL_MAJOR_ARTERIES]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SINEW:SINEW_TEMPLATE]
[TENDONS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:200]
[LIGAMENTS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:200]
[HAS_NERVES]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:ICHOR:ICHOR_TEMPLATE]
[BLOOD:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:ICHOR:LIQUID]
[CREATURE_CLASS:GENERAL_POISON]
[GETS_WOUND_INFECTIONS]
[GETS_INFECTIONS_FROM_ROT]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:PUS:PUS_TEMPLATE]
[PUS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:PUS:LIQUID]
[BODY_SIZE:0:0:8000]
[BODY_SIZE:1:0:70000]
[BODY_SIZE:2:0:90000]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:LENGTH:90:95:98:100:110:115:125]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HEIGHT:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[MAXAGE:20:30]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:POISON:CREATURE_EXTRACT_TEMPLATE]
[STATE_NAME:ALL_SOLID:frozen centipede venom]
[STATE_ADJ:ALL_SOLID:frozen centipede venom]
[STATE_NAME:LIQUID:centipede venom]
[STATE_ADJ:LIQUID:centipede venom]
[STATE_NAME:GAS:boiling centipede venom]
[STATE_ADJ:GAS:boiling centipede venom]
[PREFIX:NONE]
[ENTERS_BLOOD]
[SYNDROME]
[SYN_NAME:centipede bite]
[SYN_AFFECTED_CLASS:GENERAL_POISON]
[SYN_IMMUNE_CREATURE:CENTIPEDE:ALL]
[SYN_INJECTED]
[CE_PARALYSIS:SEV:100:PROB:80:LOCALIZED:RESISTABLE:MUSCULAR_ONLY:SIZE_DILUTES:SIZEDELA
YS:START:50:PEAK:100:END:500]
[ATTACK:BITE:BODYPART:BY_CATEGORY:STINGER]
[ATTACK_SKILL:BITE]
[ATTACK_VERB:bite:bites]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:40]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:90]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ATTACK_FLAG_CANLATCH]
[SPECIALATTACK_INJECT_EXTRACT:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:POISON:LIQUID:100:100]
[ALL_ACTIVE]
[HOMEOTHERM:10067]
[CASTE:FEMALE]
[FEMALE]
[CASTE:MALE]
[MALE]
[SELECT_CASTE:ALL]
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:ALL:CHITIN]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:RED:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:chitin:SINGULAR]
[SET_TL_GROUP:BY_CATEGORY:EYE:EYE]
[TL_COLOR_MODIFIER:BLACK:1]
[TLCM_NOUN:eyes:SINGULAR]
[SELECT_MATERIAL:ALL]
[MULTIPLY_VALUE:4]
Body RAWS
[BODY:CENTIPEDE]
[BP:HD:HEAD:HEADS][HEAD]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:600]
[BP:LMA:left maxilla:STB][CON:HD][LEFT]
[BP:RMA:right maxilla:STB][CON:HD][RIGHT]
[BP:LAN:left antenna:STB][CON:HD][LEFT][NERVOUS][SIGHT]
[BP:RAN:right antenna:STB][CON:HD][RIGHT][NERVOUS][SIGHT]
[BP:S:spiracle:STB][CON:HD][BREATHE][EMBEDDED]
[BP:LB1:first body segment:STP][CON:HD][LOWERBODY][CATEGORY:BODY_LOWER]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:400]
[BP:RA1:right first leg:STP][CON:LB1][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:LA1:left first leg:STP][CON:LB1][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:RF1:right first foot:right first feet][CON:RA1][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LF1:left first foot:left first feet][CON:LA1][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LB2:second body segment:STP][CON:LB1][LOWERBODY][CATEGORY:BODY_LOWER]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:400]
[BP:RA2:right second leg:STP][CON:LB2][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:LA2:left second leg:STP][CON:LB2][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:RF2:right second foot:right second feet][CON:RA2][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LF2:left second foot:left second feet][CON:LA2][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LB3:third body segment:STP][CON:LB2][LOWERBODY][CATEGORY:BODY_LOWER]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:400]
[BP:RA3:right third leg:STP][CON:LB3][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:LA3:left third leg:STP][CON:LB3][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:RF3:right third foot:right third feet][CON:RA3][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LF3:left third foot:left third feet][CON:LA3][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LB4:fourth body segment:STP][CON:LB3][LOWERBODY][CATEGORY:BODY_LOWER]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:400]
[BP:RA4:right fourth leg:STP][CON:LB4][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:LA4:left fourth leg:STP][CON:LB4][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:RF4:right fourth foot:right fourth feet][CON:RA4][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LF4:left fourth foot:left fourth feet][CON:LA4][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LB5:fifth body segment:STP][CON:LB4][LOWERBODY][CATEGORY:BODY_LOWER]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:400]
[BP:RA5:right fifth leg:STP][CON:LB5][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:LA5:left fifth leg:STP][CON:LB5][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:RF5:right fifth foot:right fifth feet][CON:RA5][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LF5:left fifth foot:left fifth feet][CON:LA5][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LB6:sixth body segment:STP][CON:LB5][LOWERBODY][CATEGORY:BODY_LOWER]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:400]
[BP:RA6:right sixth leg:STP][CON:LB6][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:LA6:left sixth leg:STP][CON:LB6][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:RF6:right sixth foot:right sixth feet][CON:RA6][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LF6:left sixth foot:left sixth feet][CON:LA6][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BODY:FORCIPULE]
[BP:LF:left forcipule:left forcipules][CON:HD][CATEGORY:STINGER][LEFT][MOUTH]
[BP:RF:right forcipule:right forcipules][CON:HD][CATEGORY:STINGER][RIGHT][MOUTH]
So the centipede mostly works. I figure I'll move on and make another animal. This time a terrestrial mantis shrimp. I figure "oh this'll be tricky but everything will work out and it'll be awesome!". Simple, right? Wrong.
At first it crashed the game when I spawned it. I fiddled with the tags a bit and now it's just a floating head. Can't figure out how to get it to work. Well I fixed the tag I screwed up so it has a body but now it's attacks go right through the opponent instead of hitting them. For those who don't know how mantis shrimp attack, they have these calcified club limbs that smash their prey with ridiculous force. I wanted to emulated that with this creature. What's causing there ethereal body parts?
Creature RAWS
[CREATURE:MANTIS SHRIMP]
[DESCRIPTION:A large crustacean that has risen from the ocean and travels on
land. It's terrifying limbs can shatter bone]
[NAME:mantis shrimp:mantis shrimp:mantis shrimp]
[CASTE_NAME:mantis shrimp:mantis shrimp:mantis shrimp]
[CREATURE_TILE:'M'][COLOR:1:0:0]
[PETVALUE:70][NATURAL]
[LARGE_ROAMING]
[COMMON_DOMESTIC][TRAINABLE][PET]
[BIOME:NOT_FREEZING]
[NOPAIN][NOSTUN][NOEMOTION][NOFEAR]
[LARGE_ROAMING][FREQUENCY:5][DIFFICULTY:3]
[POPULATION_NUMBER:3:10]
[CLUSTER_NUMBER:1:1]
[CARNIVORE][NATURAL]
[PARALYZEIMMUNE]
[LARGE_PREDATOR][MEANDERER]
[NOBONES]
[GRASSTRAMPLE:1]
[PREFSTRING:enormous power]
[PREFSTRING:colorful features]
[PREFSTRING:intelligence]
[BODY:TERRESTRIAL_MANTIS_SHRIMP:2EYES:HEART:GUTS:BRAIN]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:CHITIN_MATERIALS]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:CHITIN_TISSUES]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:EXOSKELETON_TISSUE_LAYERS:CHITIN:FAT:MUSCLE]
[SELECT_TISSUE_LAYER:HEART:BY_CATEGORY:HEART]
[TL_MAJOR_ARTERIES]
[BODY_DETAIL_PLAN:STANDARD_HEAD_POSITIONS]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:SINEW:SINEW_TEMPLATE]
[TENDONS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:200]
[LIGAMENTS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:SINEW:200]
[HAS_NERVES]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:ICHOR:ICHOR_TEMPLATE]
[BLOOD:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:ICHOR:LIQUID]
[GETS_WOUND_INFECTIONS]
[GETS_INFECTIONS_FROM_ROT]
[USE_MATERIAL_TEMPLATE:PUS:PUS_TEMPLATE]
[PUS:LOCAL_CREATURE_MAT:PUS:LIQUID]
[BODY_SIZE:0:0:8000]
[BODY_SIZE:1:0:70000]
[BODY_SIZE:2:0:100000]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:LENGTH:90:95:98:100:110:115:125]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:HEIGHT:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[BODY_APPEARANCE_MODIFIER:BROADNESS:90:95:98:100:102:105:110]
[MAXAGE:20:30]
[ATTACK:STRIKE:BODYPART:BY_CATEGORY:RAPTORIAL]
[ATTACK_SKILL:GRASP_STRIKE]
[ATTACK_VERB:strike:strikes]
[ATTACK_CONTACT_PERC:10]
[ATTACK_PENETRATION_PERC:5]
[ATTACK_FLAG_EDGE]
[ATTACK_PRIORITY:MAIN]
[ALL_ACTIVE]
[HOMEOTHERM:10067]
[AMPHIBIOUS]
[CASTE:FEMALE]
[FEMALE]
[CASTE:MALE]
[MALE]
[SELECT_CASTE:ALL]
Body RAWS (I haven't ironed it all out completely, I still need to add some joints for the maxillipeds and raptorial appendages, as well as add a carapace that covers the head and beginning of the thorax and a few other things)
[BODY:TERRESTRIAL_MANTIS_SHRIMP]
[BP:HD:HEAD:HEADS][HEAD]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:400]
[BP:LANT:left antennae:STB][CON:HD][NERVOUS][SMELL][SMALL][LEFT]
[BP:RANT:right antennae:STB][CON:HD][NERVOUS][SMELL][SMALL][RIGHT]
[BP:LAS:left antennal scale:STB][CON:HD][SMALL][LEFT]
[BP:RAS:right antennal scale:STB][CON:HD][SMALL][RIGHT]
[BP:ABD:ABDOMEN:ABDOMENS][CON:HD][UPPERBODY][CATEGORY:BODY_UPPER]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:600]
[BP:LRAPT:left raptorial appendage:left raptorial appendages][CON:ABD][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:RAPTORIAL][LEFT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:400]
[BP:RRAPT:right raptorial appendage:right raptorial appendages][CON:ABD][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:RAPTORIAL][RIGHT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:400]
[BP:LMX:left maxilliped:left maxillipeds][CON:ABD][LIMB][GRASP][LEFT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:100]
[BP:RMX:right maxilliped:right maxillipeds][CON:ABD][LIMB][GRASP][RIGHT]
DEFAULT_RELSIZE:100
[BP:TRX:THORAX:THORAXES][CON:ABD][LOWERBODY][CATEGORY:BODY_LOWER]
DEFAULT_RELSIZE:1000
[BP:RA1:right first leg:STP][CON:TRX][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:LA1:left first leg:STP][CON:TRX][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:RA2:right second leg:STP][CON:TRX][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:LA2:left second leg:STP][CON:TRX][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:RA3:right third leg:STP][CON:TRX][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:LA3:left third leg:STP][CON:TRX][LIMB]
[CATEGORY:LEG_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:200]
[BP:RF1:right first foot:right first feet][CON:RA1][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LF1:left first foot:left first feet][CON:LA1][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:RF1:right second foot:right second feet][CON:RA2][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LF1:left second foot:left second feet][CON:LA2][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:RF1:right third foot:right third feet][CON:RA3][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]
[BP:LF1:left third foot:left third feet][CON:LA3][STANCE]
[CATEGORY:FOOT_FRONT]
[DEFAULT_RELSIZE:50]