Game play questions concerning AI scripting

Livonya · Nov 5, 2007

Lord_Spike said:

Spellcasters should attract missile fire. Missileers would shoot until threatened, then switch to melee; unless all the other melee troops have gone down. Guards would do the same, but would switch when their protectee is threatened regardless of other concerns.
Click to expand...

Yeah, if spell casters are present then most of the time ranged enemy units will use ready vs. spell every other round. Plus I randomize between 3 or 4 different targeting scripts so that ranged NPCs will not be so predictable.

When they run out of ammo they then switch to melee weapons and advance.

Things I have working in concert, meaning a single NPC can do all of these actions provided they have the feats/items during combat

break free from web if no target in melee range
5 foot step to drink potion
flanking (various degrees of this depending on feats/skills/current health)
tripping (need improved trip Feat)
charging
power attack (on soft targets/casters)
defensive moves such as attack followed by 5 foot step
Rage (only if most probable action is a melee attack)
Expertise

My general melee script uses something like 25 different AI scripts, and each round the melee NPC picks from this list. As I get more ideas I will continue to add to the options.

I wrote a separate script for melee NPCs using reach weapons.

The whole thing should greatly improve combat, and will also add a lot more re-play variety as NPCs will no longer be limited to 1 AI script that fits all situations.

I am going to release it to the KoTB test community tomorrow, and then look for problems... eventually I will submit it to the CO8 CMF.

Anyway, keep the ideas coming.

Thanks.

- Livonya

JD · Nov 5, 2007

Just wanted to post support for Ted's suggestion. AI that varied based on the Int and level of the attacker would add a lot of variety to combat, as well as making it more challenging. This would also be improved by using the alignment suggestion above: lawful mobs fighting in a more coordinated way than chaotic.

Very interested to see how this plays out.

Allyx · Nov 5, 2007

Ok just some random ideas from me...

Livonya said:

1) Barbarian Rage.

Should a Barbarian always use Rage when they enter melee combat?
When shouldn't they use it?

The duration of the range is IIRC dependant on constitution score and barbarian level, they should activatethe rage when they charge into melee combat istead of activating and standing around because they can't reach thier target, I'd also think twice about raging if I'd had my constitution score reduced (by poison, spell effect or any other reason) as the reduced duration means that you become fatigued faster than normal, and as a result disadvantaged in the long run.
2) Expertise.

This seems purely defensive.

Is there any reason to use it besides self-preservation? Currently I only have NPCs using Expertise when they are supported by friendly units and they are injured.

In large scale combats it might prove effective to have a front line of melee combatants armed with 5' threat range weapons (swordsand the like) using expertise to highten thier AC as a way of protecting a second line of polearm combatants with a 10' threat range and acting as a kind of meat shield for them. This might also work to prevent attackers from reaching archers located behind the front line.
3) Power Attack.

Clearly this shouldn't be used all the time. In ToEE once an NPC turns this on it stays on for the rest of the combat.

When should NPCs use this ability?

Power attack lowers your BAB so using it all the time isn't a sound strategy, perhaps when used in conjuntion with Rage powerattack could be turned on to maximise damage potential without hurting your attack bonus too much due to your increased strength score from the rage, and turned off when the rage ends to increase your combat prowess while your fatigued and vulnerable.
4) Trip.

Assuming an NPC has Improved Trip, when should they NOT use this skill?

If their full attack would yeild more than 2 attacks, or if the target has a higher strength scorethan the tripper, and therefore a greater chance to resist the trip and/or reverse it.
5) Ready Vs. Approach

Does it make sense for NPCs to use this?? When would you recommend they do it?

I would use this if armed with a reach weapon and find myself in charge range of a melee weapon armed opponant. I don't think polearms deal double damage when set vs. charges in ToEE, but at least some of them should. You should however receive 2 attacks against the opponant, one when they come into range, and another when they move through your threatened area.
6) Charge.

I am limiting Charge use to those times when NPCs are not heavily damaged. Are there other times when an NPC should NOT charge?

When thier primary role is NOT to attack, but to defend, either themselves or someone else (archers, casters, or weilding a polearm).
Click to expand...

berzerker · Nov 5, 2007

Sounds like a bunch of great ideas and suggestions all around.:coffee:

What I am hearing alot of and what it sounds like you may have done already is define party "roles" (infantry/artillery/cavalry/guard..e.g.) for the NPC's just as players do - if so; thats awesome!

And I 2nd JD seconding all those others! Different warbands having different tactical "personalities" would even further improve the replay value that i see your work as promising to ad.

:roll: But what caused me to come back and post I don't know if you can fix...

But upon reloading and starting to play again; I re-learned a lesson: take SMALL steps at a time...

Because the path-finding does some inexplicably odd things - and if thats bad on my guys; it would explain some just.. strange things I've seen monsters do.

So I know this isn't what you asked; but...

maggit · Nov 5, 2007

Just one note on your ideas, Allyx...
Power attack does not lower the AC but the BAB.
Apart from that I agree with everything you said.

Allyx · Nov 5, 2007

oh shoot, my bad, gimma a sec to edit.

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Game play questions concerning AI scripting

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Game play questions concerning AI scripting

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