Tweaking accuracy of missile units

[Stilgar CG]

DimeBagHo, thanks a lot for making public the instructions on how to tweak the accuracy of missile units (here). This is indeed a simple and effective way to reduce the impact of missile units on the battlefield.

I looked into the corresponding file and have a few questions. First, is it possible to tweak settings for foot and horse archers independently? Could you point to lines for each type of archers, please (if applicable, of course )? Second, projectile stone and projectile bullet seem both to refer to slingers. What’s the difference? What units use these missiles? I placed the file in spoiler (see below).

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

;
; projectile descriptions text file
;

projectile arrow ; faster, 150 range

;effect default_arrow_trail_set
effect_offset -1.5
damage 0
radius 0
accuracy_vs_units 0.25
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.25
affected_by_rain
min_angle -60
max_angle 60
velocity 43
display particle_trail
triangle
texture data/textures/arrow_test.tga
tail 0.3
length 2.5
tail_tex0 0 0.0
tail_tex1 0 0.25
head_tex 1 0.125
end

projectile arrows ; slower, 120 range

;effect default_arrow_trail_set
effect_offset -1.5
damage 0
radius 0
accuracy_vs_units 0.25
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.25
affected_by_rain
min_angle -60
max_angle 60
velocity 39
display particle_trail
triangle
texture data/textures/arrow_test.tga
tail 0.3
length 2.5
tail_tex0 0 0.0
tail_tex1 0 0.25
head_tex 1 0.125
end

projectile arrow_chant ; no flames

;effect default_arrow_trail_set
effect_offset -1.5
damage 0
radius 0
accuracy_vs_units 0.25
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.25
affected_by_rain
min_angle -60
max_angle 60
velocity 39
display particle_trail
triangle
texture data/textures/arrow_test.tga
tail 0.3
length 2.5
tail_tex0 0 0.0
tail_tex1 0 0.25
head_tex 1 0.125
end

projectile arrow_fiery

flaming arrow
effect fiery_arrow_set
end_effect fiery_arrow_explosion_set
effect_offset -0.85
damage 0
radius 0.1
accuracy_vs_units 0.25
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.25
affected_by_rain
fiery
min_angle -60
max_angle 60
prefer_high
velocity 43
display aimed
triangle
texture data/textures/arrow_test.tga
tail 0.3
length 2.5
tail_tex0 0 0.0
tail_tex1 0 0.25
head_tex 1 0.125
end

projectile arrows_fiery

flaming arrows
effect fiery_arrow_set
end_effect fiery_arrow_explosion_set
effect_offset -0.85
damage 0
radius 0.1
accuracy_vs_units 0.25
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.25
affected_by_rain
fiery
min_angle -60
max_angle 60
prefer_high
velocity 39
display aimed
triangle
texture data/textures/arrow_test.tga
tail 0.3
length 2.5
tail_tex0 0 0.0
tail_tex1 0 0.25
head_tex 1 0.125
end

projectile head

damage 0
damage_to_troops 0
radius 0
mass 0.05
accuracy_vs_units 0.5
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.5
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 25
display
model data/models_missile/missile_head_high.CAS, 40.0
model data/models_missile/missile_head_med.CAS, 80.0
model data/models_missile/missile_head_low.CAS, max

projectile boulder

effect boulder_set
end_effect boulder_explosion_set
damage 70
damage_to_troops 8
radius 0.3
mass 0.1
area 2.0
accuracy_vs_units 0.09
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.0625
min_angle 0
max_angle 70
velocity 61
bounce 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.4
display aimed
effect_only
; Stuck model not used at the mo, shatter effect is better, but adding some shatter debris for ground impact would be good?
;stuck
;model data/models_missile/onager_rock.CAS, max
;model data/models_missile/Big_Boulder_high.CAS, 40.0
;model data/models_missile/Big_Boulder_med.CAS, 80.0
;model data/models_missile/Big_Boulder_low.CAS, max

projectile fiery_boulder

flaming boulder
effect fiery_boulder_set
end_effect fiery_boulder_explosion_set
damage 40
damage_to_troops 30
radius 0.3
mass 0.1
area 2.5
accuracy_vs_units 0.35
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.125
fiery ; uncomment this to make all boulders fiery
min_angle 0
max_angle 70
velocity 61
ground_shatter
display aimed
effect_only

projectile big_boulder

effect boulder_set
end_effect boulder_explosion_set
damage 110
damage_to_troops 10
radius 0.3
mass 0.1
area 2.0
accuracy_vs_units 0.09
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.0625
min_angle 0
max_angle 70
velocity 61
bounce 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.4
display aimed
effect_only
; Stuck model not used at the mo, shatter effect is better, but adding some shatter debris for ground impact would be good?
;stuck
;model data/models_missile/onager_rock.CAS, max
;model data/models_missile/Big_Boulder_high.CAS, 40.0
;model data/models_missile/Big_Boulder_med.CAS, 80.0
;model data/models_missile/Big_Boulder_low.CAS, max

projectile big_fiery_boulder

flaming big_boulder
effect fiery_boulder_set
end_effect fiery_boulder_explosion_set
damage 60
damage_to_troops 40
radius 0.30
mass 0.1
area 3.0
accuracy_vs_units 0.35
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.125
fiery ; uncomment this to make all boulders fiery
min_angle 0
max_angle 70
velocity 61
ground_shatter
display aimed
effect_only

projectile bolt

damage 0
damage_to_troops 1
radius 0
mass 0.05
accuracy_vs_units 0.15
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.15
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 60
display aimed particle_trail invert_model_z
model data/models_missile/Bolt_high.CAS, 40.0
model data/models_missile/Bolt_med.CAS, 80.0
model data/models_missile/Bolt_low.CAS, max

projectile stone

effect small_arrow_trail_set
damage 0
damage_to_troops 1
radius 0
mass 0.05
accuracy_vs_units 0.2
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.2
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 70
display
model data/models_missile/sling_stone.cas, max

projectile bullet

damage 0
damage_to_troops 1
radius 0
mass 0.05
accuracy_vs_units 0.2
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.2
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 75
display
model data/models_missile/sling_stone.cas, max

projectile kestros

damage 0
damage_to_troops 1
radius 0
mass 0.1
accuracy_vs_units 0.2
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.2
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 70
display aimed invert_model_z
model xgm/data/models_missile/BI_projectile_plumbata.CAS, max

projectile javelin

damage 0
damage_to_troops 1
radius 0
mass 0.2
accuracy_vs_units 0.1
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.1
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 28
display aimed invert_model_z
model data/models_missile/weapon_javelin_high.cas, 40
model data/models_missile/weapon_javelin_low.cas, max

projectile javelin_heavy

damage 0
damage_to_troops 1
radius 0
mass 0.25
accuracy_vs_units 0.1
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.1
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 25
display aimed invert_model_z
model xgm/data/models_missile/weapon_javelin_heavy_high.cas, 40
model xgm/data/models_missile/weapon_javelin_heavy_high.cas, max

projectile pilum

damage 0
damage_to_troops 1
radius 0
mass 0.3
accuracy_vs_units 0.1
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.1
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 21
display aimed
model data/models_missile/weapon_pilum_high.cas, 40
model data/models_missile/weapon_pilum_low.cas, max

projectile francisca

damage 0
damage_to_troops 1
radius 0
mass 0.3
accuracy_vs_units 0.1
accuracy_vs_buildings 0.1
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 30
bounce 0.3 0.4 0.7 0.9 erratic
display aimed spin
model xgm/data/models_missile/BI_projectile_francisca.CAS, max

projectile ballista

effect large_arrow_trail_set
end_effect large_arrow_explode_set
damage 24
damage_to_troops 5
radius 0
min_angle -30
max_angle 70
velocity 60
;bounce 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.4
display aimed particle_trail invert_model_z
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_high.CAS, 40.0
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_med.CAS, 80.0
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_low.CAS, max

projectile flaming_ballista

flaming ballista
effect fiery_ballista_trail_set
end_effect fiery_ballista_explosion_set
effect_offset 1.0
damage 24
damage_to_troops 5
radius 0
accuracy_vs_units 0.15
fiery
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 60
;bounce 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.4
display aimed invert_model_z
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_high.CAS, 40.0
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_med.CAS, 80.0
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_low.CAS, max

;tower ballistas are identical to normal ballistas, have do reduced damage
;intoduced when the number of artillery pieces per unit was reduced, as this
;required doubling the power of each hit to save having to rebalance all the
;wall and building hit points.
projectile tower_ballista

effect large_arrow_trail_set
end_effect large_arrow_explode_set
damage 15
damage_to_troops 8
radius 0
min_angle -30
max_angle 70
velocity 60
;bounce 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.4
display aimed particle_trail invert_model_z
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_high.CAS, 40.0
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_med.CAS, 80.0
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_low.CAS, max

projectile tower_flaming_ballista

flaming tower_ballista
effect fiery_ballista_trail_set
end_effect fiery_ballista_explosion_set
effect_offset 1.0
damage 15
damage_to_troops 8
radius 0
fiery
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 60
;bounce 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.4
display aimed invert_model_z
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_high.CAS, 40.0
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_med.CAS, 80.0
model data/models_missile/missile_ballista_bolt_low.CAS, max

projectile scorpion

effect large_arrow_trail_set
end_effect large_arrow_explode_set
damage 0
damage_to_troops 2
radius 0
min_angle -30
max_angle 70
velocity 90
display aimed particle_trail
model data/models_missile/missile_scorpion_bolt_high.CAS, 40.0
model data/models_missile/missile_scorpion_bolt_med.CAS, 80.0
model data/models_missile/missile_scorpion_bolt_low.CAS, max

projectile flaming_scorpion

flaming scorpion
effect fiery_ballista_trail_set
end_effect fiery_ballista_explosion_set
effect_offset 1.0
damage 0
damage_to_troops 2
radius 0
accuracy_vs_units 0.15
fiery
min_angle -60
max_angle 70
velocity 90
display aimed particle_trail
model data/models_missile/missile_scorpion_bolt_high.CAS, 40.0
model data/models_missile/missile_scorpion_bolt_med.CAS, 80.0
model data/models_missile/missile_scorpion_bolt_low.CAS, max

projectile repeating_ballista

effect large_arrow_trail_set
end_effect large_arrow_explode_set
damage 0
damage_to_troops 2
radius 0
min_angle -30
max_angle 70
velocity 60
display aimed particle_trail
model data/models_missile/missile_scorpion_bolt_high.CAS, 40.0
model data/models_missile/missile_scorpion_bolt_med.CAS, 80.0
model data/models_missile/missile_scorpion_bolt_low.CAS, max

A related question. Possibly discussed previously. Movement rate should in principle affect the impact of missile units on the battlefield. Please, correct me if I am wrong, reduced movement rate means that it takes longer for a given unit to travel from point A to point B. The rate of other movements, e.g. firing missiles, slashing with the sword, etc., is not affected. Therefore, the unit on the move and under fire could receive a few volleys extra on reduced movement rate. Just something to take into account, I guess.

[DimeBagHo]

First, is it possible to tweak settings for foot and horse archers independently?

It is possible (and something I have considered doing, but haven't had time to test). All you need to do is make a new arrow type, with the new settings you want, and use that missile type on the stat_pri line in export_descr_units.txt. Currently elite archers and HAs use 'arrow', regular archers and HAs use 'arrows'. The Sabaean Temple Guard uses 'arrow_chant' which has no flaming version, so they can use their special chant ability.

Second, projectile stone and projectile bullet seem both to refer to slingers. What’s the difference? What units use these missiles?

IIRC 'stone' is not used in XGM. The only difference between stones and bullets is that stones look bigger. In vanilla 'stone' is used for regular slinger units, while 'bullet' is used for elite slinger units.

Movement rate should in principle affect the impact of missile units on the battlefield. Please, correct me if I am wrong, reduced movement rate means that it takes longer for a given unit to travel from point A to point B. The rate of other movements, e.g. firing missiles, slashing with the sword, etc., is not affected. Therefore, the unit on the move and under fire could receive a few volleys extra on reduced movement rate.

That's correct.

[Stilgar CG]

I see, Dime. Thanks. I was thinking of giving foot archers some of their accuracy back (say, 0.20 instead of 0.25 or something like this). This (i) would reflect that foot arhers have a better chance to hit their target and (ii) would give ordinary archers a better hand against HAs. Furthermore, HAs usually get experience faster than (normal) foot archers, because it's much easier for them to escape and stay alive.
Decreasing the accuracy of HAs even more is also an option, but it would be too harsh, I guess.

P.S. 5.8 beta?!

[Stilgar CG]

@DimeBagHo (or anyone with knowledge of the matter) I am still keeping an XGM 5.6.7 install to keep up my Macs AAR for a while. I was thinking of modifying the accuracy of missiles for that install. So, copy-pasting those accuracy modifying lines in descr_projectile_new would do, right? Or, I could simply replace the existing file with one from 5.8. Would that be wise? :hmmm:

[DimeBagHo]

Just copying the file over would probably work, but it wouldn't be ideal. It would be better if you could go through EDU and give the right arrow types to the right units.

[Stilgar CG]

Thanks for reply, Dime. I am not sure I understand why the arrow type should be modified in EDU. I did not mean to differentiate units at this point, just to cut accuracy uniformly to all (corresponding) missile units (all arrw, arrows, javelin etc). So, I thought of just adding accuracy_vs_units line with the modifier.