The special color on the spell (and now song) messages indicates that the victim of the attack successfully saved and didn't die. The code doesn't specifically say "red" - it looks like it's a user defined color, so maybe it defaults to red.
I have no idea why a skill message (backstab, etc) would have special coloring.
Just in case you want to look into the backstab thing, the color there does coincide with the color I chose for the 20th option: spell saves. So it may be as simple as checking, where that color setting is used.
It doesn't happen often.
P.S. Did you mean, "the victim of the spell failed the save"?
Teron wrote:P.S. Did you mean, "the victim of the spell failed the save"?
Nope. The code says the color is shown when the victim successfully saves for 1/2 damage and lives. All other situations (mob dies, victim is immortal, mob fails save) use the default color.
Teker, you must be reading it wrong. I've done some testing and it's clear that red is the failed save. For example when I magic missile a low level mob, it's red almost every time. But when I blast a level 40 mob I only get a few red. And Mage has done some testing in coliseum and shown that his red lines go up with increased saves.
Yeah, you guys are right. The variable name was confusing me - but it should be red when the victim fails to save. It's probably backwards for bard songs right now but I'll get it fixed in the next build.