A bug with the AI

STraven

First off, I'm running EVN 1.0.7 on Mac OS 10.2.8.

And here's the bug:
It only appear when an escort isn't in formation, or in the range where it drift to its position in the fleet, and when there's hostile ships in the system.
When you order it to come in formation, it should just fly toward you, right ?
What the ship really do is flying toward an enemy, and fire only some weapons: those it fire when set on 'Defend'.
It do it with all sort of ship AI, captured or hired.

Pougan

Does it actually get into formation? Or just go attack the enemies?

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blackhole

I've put it through to the official channels, but don't hold your breath for a fix for something this small.

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STraven

Quote

Originally posted by Pougan:
**Does it actually get into formation? Or just go attack the enemies?

**

It attack until no hostile ship is in the system. Then it come back to formation.

Blackhole: All right. I just hate to be unable to use some "back in formation before a new strike" tactic...

Dr. Trowel

This matches escort behavior I've seen, too -- a ship busy fighting often won't return to formation when called to heel (bad dog!). It sounds like STraven has investigated this more systematically than I have done.

Mazca

I find that if you order the escort to hold position, THEN return to formation, it's usually a lot more obedient.

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Kame

This is nothing new. It's been an issue from the beginning and generally only happens to escorts that can't keep up with your turn/accel rate. If a ship gets "pulled" out of formation it will temporarly act independently if attacked or if their are hostiles in the area. I don't think it could really be called a bug. It's really the ship trying to survive on it's own. Course we all know how great the AI fairs in combat. Once the ship has destroyed the targets that are attacking it, it returns to formation. But it would be nice if the return to formation command actually worked in those situations. i think that's more of a bug than the ship acting independently. Maybe it's like the pilot hears you calling him but he's thinking, "I'm trying to get back but this guy keeps pounding me!"

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(This message has been edited by Kame (edited 02-04-2004).)

STraven

Quote

Originally posted by Kame:
**This is nothing new. It's been an issue from the beginning and generally only happens to escorts that can't keep up with your turn/accel rate.
**

Ah, yes. Maybe. I'll investigate this possibility.

Quote

Originally posted by Kame:
**If a ship gets "pulled" out of formation it will temporarly act independently if attacked or if their are hostiles in the area. I don't think it could really be called a bug. It's really the ship trying to survive on it's own.
**

I'd understand it if the said ship was hunted down by others.
But there, it's just a small ship marked as 'Hostile', in the other side of the system, and trying to jump out.
If the ship get 'lost', it'll turn toward it, and hunt it. Not really trying to survive, eh ?

Quote

Originally posted by Kame:
**Course we all know how great the AI fairs in combat. Once the ship has destroyed the targets that are attacking it, it returns to formation. But it would be nice if the return to formation command actually worked in those situations. i think that's more of a bug than the ship acting independently. Maybe it's like the pilot hears you calling him but he's thinking, "I'm trying to get back but this guy keeps pounding me!"

**

See above.
That's more like "there's still ships marked as red on the radar! I don't like red! I'll kill 'em all !!!"
Even if the hostile ship is far away, the escort will turn back and attack it.

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Mazca, I tried what you said.
return to formation: start running toward hostile.
Hold position: Stop.
return to formation: Run again toward hostile.

Damn pilot.

(This message has been edited by STraven (edited 02-05-2004).)

Tiresmoke

Sounds like the Glory Hound AI is working then. LOL

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STraven

Quote

Originally posted by Tiresmoke:
**Sounds like the Glory Hound AI is working then. LOL

**

LOL
Ah yes. You're right. It's working well.

off topic: I got a problem when answering your email. I dunno if you got it. Did you ?

Eugene Chin

I can see how this part of the AI annoys you.

Have you tried 'Defend' instead? They'll still attack your enemies, but only within a certain radius of you. A bit like putting them on a leash. When they go beyond that radius, they'll stop fighting and try to come back to you.

I know that this doesn't fix the flaws in the AI, but until they are addressed, this suggestion may help you.

Wish there was a way to edit the AI... I'd enjoy messing around with that...

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STraven

Quote

Originally posted by Eugene Chin:
**I can see how this part of the AI annoys you.

Have you tried 'Defend' instead? They'll still attack your enemies, but only within a certain radius of you. A bit like putting them on a leash. When they go beyond that radius, they'll stop fighting and try to come back to you.

**

Gotta try it.

Quote

Originally posted by Eugene Chin:
**I know that this doesn't fix the flaws in the AI, but until they are addressed, this suggestion may help you.

**

I got an other way of dealing with this Artificial Stupidity. I've released my escorts.
I've far less problems now.

Quote

Originally posted by Eugene Chin:
**Wish there was a way to edit the AI... I'd enjoy messing around with that...

**

I agree with you.

Tiresmoke

Quote

Originally posted by STraven:
off topic: I got a problem when answering your email. I dunno if you got it. Did you ?

Nope.

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orcaloverbri9

Hehe. That reminds me of a "how to avoid cleaning your room" shirt:

1. hide (ask about the problem)
2. shove everything under the bed (try to get around it)
3. All else fails, RUN! (release those freaks! :))

And it should be "fewer" problems, by the way.

Anyhow...oh yeah. It would be so cool to edit the AI. Make your escorts attack each other! Posted Image

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STraven

Tiresmoke: All right. I'll send it again. My apologies for the wait.

(quote)Originally posted by orcaloverbri9:
**Hehe. That reminds me of a "how to avoid cleaning your room" shirt:

1. hide (ask about the problem)
2. shove everything under the bed (try to get around it)
3. All else fails, RUN! (release those freaks!
And about the escorts, their best place is exploding after I released and destroyed them.

(quote)Originally posted by orcaloverbri9:
**And it should be "fewer" problems, by the way.

****(/quote)

Indeed.

(quote)Originally posted by orcaloverbri9:
**Anyhow...oh yeah. It would be so cool to edit the AI. Make your escorts attack each other!

**(/quote)

You can nearly do that!
Release one escort, set the others to kill it. Repeat until you've only one left, and kill it yourself.