One simple solution to this, and it will make sense on an ecological point of view, will be to implement only benthic mobs.
Benthic means that they are crawling on the bottom. As we cannot dive to kill them in melee (due to Z axis restriction), we will have to have a special range attacks like magic or special range weapons. Which are only active in the water.
I guess the fact that we cannot attack in water is just a matter of activating a flag. Simple deactivate the flag if these weapons are used. Not a big thing in programming.
Ok, not all is done. Looting now !
The mobs will "float" on the surface once killed and will be lootable.
Maybe I am wrong, but it seems feasible.
EDIT:
I forgot one point: it will make it possible also to have the toon walking on the sea bottom with special equipment to breath under the water... And create missions under the water. And greatly extend the "active" surface of Atys...
Benthic means that they are crawling on the bottom. As we cannot dive to kill them in melee (due to Z axis restriction), we will have to have a special range attacks like magic or special range weapons. Which are only active in the water.
I guess the fact that we cannot attack in water is just a matter of activating a flag. Simple deactivate the flag if these weapons are used. Not a big thing in programming.
Ok, not all is done. Looting now !
The mobs will "float" on the surface once killed and will be lootable.
Maybe I am wrong, but it seems feasible.
EDIT:
I forgot one point: it will make it possible also to have the toon walking on the sea bottom with special equipment to breath under the water... And create missions under the water. And greatly extend the "active" surface of Atys...