So I confess this is partially based off the old "Cheapo Copycat" mechanics, but I would like to propose a new tool that, if used on a lemming, causes him to flip upside-down and be pulled towards the ceiling (or the right way up again if the lemming was already upside-down).
When upside-down, all subsequent tools perform as expected, but with the up and down directions flipped, so using a Miner will cause the lemming to move towards the top of the level, for example.
When used, the lemming will likely fall in his new direction, and might splat if not careful.
Nuances:
- The lemming inverts about his feet. This ensures the lemming doesn't become stuck in the terrain upon inversion
- A lemming walking on the ceiling can have all skills assigned to it as normal - this includes the Cloner, which will create another lemming walking upside-down, and the Inverter itself which will switch the lemming back to the floor
- Can be used on a lemming currently performing a task, which may cause their vertical direction to change in the case of Builders, for example, but will likely cause them to stop if their feet are in open air after inversion
- If used on a Swimmer, the lemming will (normally) fall out of the water
- Can be used on a Blocker, but will remain a Blocker if his feet is on terrain after inversion (which will happen if the Blocker is inside a tunnel that's only a pixel tall)
- If used on a Climber, the lemming will invert but continue to climb the wall he's climbing (albeit in the other direction)
- Splat distance is NOT reset if used on a Faller
- An inverted lemming interacts with obstructions and objects as normal
- Cannot be used on an Ohnoer (Bomber), Exiter, Flipper, Splatter, Frier/Vaporizer, Drowner or Stoner, or a lemming dying to a custom trap (because the lemming object no longer exists).
- The Inverter is not a permanent ability - if used on a Walker, the lemming afterwards will remain a Walker, just with gravity switched
The icon, I suggest, should be of a Lemming that is facing right but falling forwards, with an up arrow to his upper left, and a down arrow to his lower right.
How's it sound?