In the process of fixing an overflow bug which occurs when a bot fully loaded with 32000 of venom takes a high magnitude venom shot from a conspec (fixed in 2.42.2) I noticed that shell has no impact for conspec venom shots. The code simply adds the full value of the venom shot to the bot's own venom store (although now it checks for overflow and clips at 32000 if necessary) indpendent of any shell the bot may have.
So, my question: Should a bot's shell impact conspec venom shots?
At some point, we will need to re-work this whole area of the engine doing special things in the cases of conspecs. We will have to so as to deal with speciation. IMHO, at some point in the future, we will want bots who share a common ancestor to be able to us venom agaisnt each other once their genetic distance defines them as separate species. Of course, we will need a more sophisticated notion of species identification and a mechanism for the engine to recognize and catagorize new species first.
But for now, with our current mechanisms, I am not suggesting that we open that door. I am not suggesting we change the core behaviour that a venom shot from a conspec simply increases that conspec's venom stores. But, should shell be taken into consideration when calculating how much venom to add?
-E
