I didn't intend for them to be something that you had to kill to progress. It was more of a nightmarish entrance where you get shot at from everywhere; and if you do kill them all, then you get green tomatoes for your troubles.

The monsters used being stealth imps and shadows were both chosen for the surrealness (and low visibility) that they provide. The basic idea was to incite the doomguy to rush deeper in Hell and maybe deal with them when returning to the area from a different vantage point, where it'd be easier.

Which is why I don't think having to kill all monsters here should be needed to progress. Not with the recent gatekeeper fight anyway.

Well, he does return to the area from a different vantage point...

I've got an idea though. How about we make the imps green as well, make them not stealth monsters and, when each one dies, teleport it's corpse in front of the pillars and impaled humans? This way the fight is clearly something a bit different and the goal is outlined without being spelled out (I'd hope). Hell demands sacrifice afterall.

How about having a guardian-type monster infront of the gate, and leave the shadow's and stealth imps as annoyances?

That would make things easier but it's a bit lame

I say we use the OVERLORD here, the boss Cacodemon. Maybe make him spawn Flesh Spawn as well? Maybe even use the Hell Caco Eriance made as well or that's pushing it bc we have the Grell?

If we added a new monster to ZDCMP2's bestiary there to serve as guardians, I'd want vores.

Oh yes! Agreed! Gez for great win!

That's not a bad idea, actually.

Anyhow, I do feel like sneaking in an idea of mine during my Phase 2 slot, namely that of 3D floor cages that move based on player's height. Sticking a couple of vores in the cages would definitely serve as a mega-dangerous intro.

No.