[Feature]: New VBL - Cover

[ColdAnkles]

Feature Request

The existing suite of VBL tools are excellent, but one use case I've come across and not found a satisfactory solution to is cover: an area of a map that hides anything within, but does not prevent those within from seeing out.

The Solution you'd like

A new VBL definition alongside the existing three: Cover.

Tokens outside the cover area cannot see into the cover area - identical to wall VBL in this case.
Tokens inside the cover area are unaffected by the cover area - identical to both hill and no VBL in this case.

Relevant drawCoverVBL() setTokenCoverVBL() etc. also added.

Alternatives that you've considered.

I am currently using Wall VBL on a "terrain" token, and removing the VBL when it is the turn of a token inside of the terrain, and replacing it at the end of their turn.

It works, but is not very good, and requires fiddly, easy to mistake VBL removal/reapplication.

Additional Context

The Hero Cannot See into Cover

The Troll in Cover, is unaffected, and can see the Hero outside.

[Azhrei]

Your existing solution sounds like you're using solid VBL. Have you tried using just the outline VBL? I believe that will do what you want...

[ColdAnkles]

Outline VBL?

[kwvanderlinde]

Your existing solution sounds like you're using solid VBL. Have you tried using just the outline VBL? I believe that will do what you want...

An outline would not allow those under cover to see out of it. The request is akin to Pit VBL, just working in the opposite direction.

[Azhrei]

Ah, yes; they want to see out. You’re right, Pit VBL in reverse. Tip VBL? 🙂

[kwvanderlinde]

I like this feature as it would address not only cover but also, e.g., tall towers where you don't want outsiders to be able to see the top, while those on top can still see their surroundings.

There is a bit of a hack that can be used today that mostly achieves this effect, but it's not ideal. The key is to draw your "cover" as an area of Hill VBL, then around that add a thin border of Hill VBL with a small gap between. Finally add a little line connecting the outline to the solid portion. like this:

Note the little connection at the bottom:

The effect is almost exactly as you want, provided those outside aren't aligned with that small line we needed to add:

The drawbacks are

• it doesn't work at all angles. I.e., a token directly beneath the connection can still see inside.
• the vision outline looks a little janky.
• it's tedious to do and probably unintuitive.

A true Cover VBL would be able to address these drawbacks.