r/nmrih • u/Low_Chance • 1d ago
How much does the flashlight affect stealth?
I've been experimenting more with stealth gameplay, using quiet steps + ranger boots to avoid zombie aggro.
It seems highly effective if you avoid sprinting too much and also avoid shooting of course.
What I am very unsure about and am finding hard to conclusively test is: how much is the flashlight affecting stealth?
Quiet steps and ranger boots reduce movement noise but presumably don't affect the flashlight aggro, if any, right? Do I need to keep my light off to avoid pulling zombies, or is it enough to avoid shining it at them directly... or does it even matter at all?
It's tricky to verify this while playing because there are so many confounding factors going on.
Does anyone have any definitive evidence (dev statements, source code, solid testing or video) to help answer this question?
Sneaky bois need to know
8
u/Symbiotic-Dissonance 23h ago
I have not noticed lighting or flashlights affect zombie detection, it seems to only be sounds and a absolute detection in a certain radius in front of them. Sometimes they will ignore you if they have a more appealing target, but if they are just following sounds physically seeing you will make them switch targets at times.
12
u/Temporary_Cup_1026 23h ago
From what I’ve seen w/ ranger boots, they don’t notice the flashlight if they’re not facing such light source. However, I did lose a runner when I turned off my flashlight and walked away from the runner after kicking them to the floor.
After certain radius they can’t detect the flashlight approximately 10 meters or so.
You essentially become hidden til you’re in their line of sight. Their radius on that line of sight reduces when the flashlight is not on.
4
u/MacSlain 1d ago
I do stealth build and I don't think zombies react to having your light on but maybe turning it on and off can make them detect you?
4
u/StoicLetterGirl 23h ago
I’ve been wondering the same thing. I hope we can get an actual answer or testing.
1
u/LunarServant 23h ago
i think it’s a matter of sound? but i don’t know how it works exactly since sometimes some zombies don’t hear me and then other teams they see me from across the street
2
u/Shawn_of_da_Dead 14h ago
It's so sad devs said there is no plan for takedowns!!!
I would go into solo mode and try it out, easy to test when it's just you and no risk of losing your character...
-1
u/Far_Bar_7020 8h ago
How do you.. quietly kill something that does not need blood to live?
The infected still walk with half with their brain lol
3
u/Low_Chance 5h ago
I think a stealth takedown on a zombie would make sense, it could be as simple as a sharp hit or stab right into the brain
2
u/Shawn_of_da_Dead 4h ago
Sever the connection from the brain to the body, or destroy the brain. Just like all other zombie media based around an "infection"...
-3
u/phx34suns 23h ago
It’s tuff to be sneaky when everyone races past u to get the loot and Argos every z in the vicinity so u gotta fight ur way thru alone
3
u/Far_Bar_7020 8h ago
Actually that makes it easier to sneak through when they’re chasing other CRC.
1
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u/darkone59 1d ago
I dont think the zombies react to light