Formation AI beta testing project

[DARTH VADER]

There are opportunities to improve the AI in many ways. Still, there is need of testing and feedback in order to optimize the results.

I provide below the formations that were used in the most successful patch of CA concerning BAI, the 1.1 if I remember correctly.

They are unmodded, they will replace those implemented in later patches, and hope they improve the battle experience.

This will be told by you.

I encourage other modders or players of other mods to activate this simple mod.pack and report any goods or bads here.

To install:

-Put in the data folder of ETW this pack.
-Fix the user.empire_script.txt mod load to be like this:

mod darthmod.pack;
mod darthmodformations.pack;

[♔Dignan♔]

Darth, I'll give this a try tonight or tomorrow. I have a busy weekend ahead but should have time.

I assume we should use this mod in addition to darthmod3.8?

[Chevalier IX]

Originally Posted by Dignan

Darth, I'll give this a try tonight or tomorrow. I have a busy weekend ahead but should have time.

I assume we should use this mod in addition to darthmod3.8?

I would think that about right,that is what I will be doing for the testing.hopefully this has some sort of better effect as to how the various factions handle themselves in formation,for as Darth pointed out it wasnt nearly as broken from this version(1.1)

Edit:I put some testing in using the file you provided and it seems to me that it is actually a bit worse than what you previously had.I am wondering if it somehow over rode the modifications you had made in some strange way for it seems like the BAI has reverted back to 1.4 vanilla behaviour

[DARTH VADER]

Thanks Chevalier. Formations AI are very important. In many circumstances it can be better but it could be worse. It varies according to the faction which is played by the AI.

Since I cannot mod the formations, I continued to experiment with the classes so to force the AI to move into one line and not bunch to heavily massed groups. In 3.9 the skirmisher class is the dominant class and arranges the units of the AI to form wide lines to shoot.

Just like I modded the formations to do that. Indirect way again. Whatever... there are always ways.

[Chevalier IX]

Thank you for the insight on the process Lord Vader.I will do some more testing as well and see what transpires.your work around for 3.9 sounds very promising as well,and i look forward to seeing it in action.I think it is an excellent idea to look to formations that keep them from overlapping at all,for it seems that the ai is at its best when they are not formed in multiple lines...1 long line for the infantry should be the best plan,hopefully soon the way to fully mod the formations will be cracked,for it seems as time goes by more tools are being made and discovered to do various things that we thought unable to do previously.I await 3.9 and expect more feedback and testing,and know that we as a community could not be more grateful for the work you are doing here

[raistlinmajere8]

Hey I just thought I'd drop you a little feedback on the regular 3.8 BAI. I've noticed lately that the BAI is forming up in nice lines, but tends to just walk straight at my lines and then engage in melee. I just got done playing for a good 4 hours, and in almost every battle, that is what happened. I don't know if it something to do with the new 3.8 update, because I just installed it before firing up 4 hrs ago.

Cheers Darth!!

And If you need any help with your request I could DL that file and plug it in to play tomorrow.

[Chevalier IX]

Lord Vader might we anticipate the mentioned 3.9 this weekend???I look forward to spending much time putting the new parameters to the test,for they sound interesting indeed

[DARTH VADER]

I upload now

[Arksa]

Originally Posted by DARTH VADER

I upload now

NICE! I checked this thread 2 mins ago then refreshed and now I see this

[Chevalier IX]

Excellent news Lord!!!My work day cannot go by hastily enough!!

[DARTH VADER]

I did not use this formation pack but it is open here for anybody to test as an optional thing.

[Germane]

Originally Posted by DARTH VADER

I did not use this formation pack but it is open here for anybody to test as an optional thing.

Hello Darth,

this pack is pure GOLD!

First i think its a performanceboost, like vanilla 1.3 ( with the latest patches the fps goes worst and worster ) very great!!!
Then i have a lot and lots of shoot outs. Enemys goes in Melee when a) no chance a shootout to win or b) a melee have a chance to minimize Enemys Lost of Troops. Also a Big step forward!

Tomorrow i will wrote more.

This is the right way, Darth Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I played vanilla, DM3.8 with activated Darthformationspack)

[PaganPride]

Hi Darth.

Have played all total war games, and was just about to shelf Empire until i tried this new DM 3.9

I also used the trial formations.

I am really impressed, for the first time ever i notice a very notable change in battles.

Have had 1 custom battle with Swe vs denmark(AI), And the danes advanced in a quite orderly fashion with thier Lineinf, and the shooting comenced. And to my big suprise, they didnt mass melee in centre?? They held a quite good line and duked it out with my Caroleans.

I will give this a serious try and return with a more thourogh testing for you before friday.

GJ!!!

[DARTH VADER]

I strongly encourage to try this formation.pack. Indeed it seems better the AI with this together with 3.9 (Tried it many times myself). Play custom battles and see for yourselves. I think I will add this to a next DarthMod update. But 3.9 came to stay for more time.

[bobbygst]

Darth,
Bravo! I am trying this and it's simply wonderful! I echo what another said when the computer is outgunned, it will simply charge and charge some more. The musket duels are great and now I'm actually having to keep an eye on ammunition levels. I highly recommend everyone give this a go.

Bob

[hellas1]

@Darth,

How do you enable the formations for use in a Custom battle or what have you?

Thanks,
hellas1

[DARTH VADER]

To install:

-Put in the data folder of ETW this pack.
-Fix the user.empire_script.txt mod load to be like this:

mod darthmod.pack;
mod darthmodformations.pack;

If you do not know how to install the manual DarthMod Empire read carefully this:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=246146

[dar25]

You can also enable then through DM Ultimate Launcher, by goign to Options, Game Play options, DM Formations will be at the bottom of the next menu.

I've been playing 3.9 Ultimate and loving the changes so far. The only issue i've been seeing is that my troops seem to forget the charge orders sometimes. When i ask them to do melee charge, they run for a little bit then stop and reform.
Also when asking them to charge to the side of the formation , they have hard time compying with that. Sometimes wheel and stop sometimes ignore charge order. Does anyone else notice this?

This is 3.9 with Formations Off by the way, i will try turning them On for my game later today to see if it makes any difference.

[DARTH VADER]

Yes, I know of that. I have modded the charge parameters to force the AI to musket more or when it charges to run like maniac to you. Now the charge works better with single click after you are near enough (Near can be around 100 meters). You will see native americans to attack to you like they did in "The last of the Mohicans Movie" (Yeahh).

But it has this side effect to the human.

[dar25]

Makes sense and it does seem to make the AI work nicer. But would be even better if it did not affect my own troops so much. Especially when the troops do not have the ability to shoot anything (like pikemen) or when out of bullets (or even when shooting turned off). I will try your suggestion for single click at close range (used to double right clicking for charge).

PS. Thanks again for your efforts making the ETW so much better and fun to play. Great work!