formations

[PlayerOne]

Is there anyway of having multiple formations as there was in RTW?

Ive took a descr_formations_ai and a descr_formations from a RTW mod. i then sucessfully changed the config_ai_battle so that it worked but there is only one fomation which seems to be used. i belive it has something to do with this, which sets the formation used:

<formation>
<easy>ai_triple_missiles_in_front_easy</easy>
<medium>ai_triple_missiles_in_front</medium>
<hard>ai_triple_missiles_in_front</hard>
<very_hard>ai_triple_missiles_in_front</very_hard>
</formation>

Any info would be grateful.

[Taiji]

I haven't tested this but I wonder what happens when the formation isn't present. Like if you rename it, for example.

Removing the section from config_ai_battle would cause the game to default to ai_triple_missiles_in_front, it's hardcoded. But the actual formation is unlikely to be hardcoded. At worst CTD, at best use of priorities... might work, seems a long shot to me.

[PlayerOne]

ive tried removing ai_triple_missiles_in_front and it doesnt ctd, thats with the original vanilla formations files.

its just with the new formations_ai and formations that when you delete the lines it CTDs. theres probably something within the formations folders thats making it crash.

[Taiji]

Interesting, so when you removed 'ai_triple_missiles_in_front' from formations_ai, which formation did the AI use?

...what formations folders?

[PlayerOne]

sorry might have confused you. i removed ai_triple_missiles_in_front from the original config_ai_battle, that works fine with the vanilla formations. so like you said it may cause the game to default.

However when i use a new descr_formations and a new descr_formations_ai and modify config_ai_battle accordingly, to this:

<formation>
<easy>ai_roman_precursor_line_enhanced</easy>
<medium>ai_roman_precursor_line_enhanced</medium>
<hard>ai_roman_precursor_line_enhanced</hard>
<very_hard>ai_roman_precursor_line_enhanced</very_hard>
</formation>

it seems to work but only use this formation, instead of using the ai_priority, to choose the most appropriate formation.
I then removed these same 6 lines of the modified config_ai_battle and CTD.

So now im looking through the descr_formations_ai for any issues.

[Taiji]

Ah so you didn't test my idea... OK, I will

edit:

Tested. Works perfectly.

To prevent use of 'ai_triple_missiles_in_front' I had to change the names of my 2 formations to '4' and '5'. 'ai_triple_missiles_in_front5' for example does not work because the game appears to see enough of the name to forget about using priorities.

Having changed the name sufficiently I can now decide which formation is used based on capability and priority.

I think I have discovered something very cool again

[PlayerOne]

just tried your ides of removing the formation from descr_formations_ai. it CTD.

But i did notice that my army used a different formation, the one i wanted. Then it CTDs when i click start battle.

[PlayerOne]

i think i have solved it by adding:
supported_factions Slave

Now the different formation works. But the ai changes the formation straight away.

[Taiji]

So my idea is working for you too? It certainly should

It's great to capitalise on my own previous discovery like this - I am the one who determined that there are backup config_ai_battle.xml settings hardcoded in case the file is broken.

Without knowing about that I might have been scratching my head for a while over this issue

BTW if you're still having problems, let me know

[PlayerOne]

did you rename ,ai_triple_missiles_in_front to 4, and ,ai_triple_missiles_in_front_easy to 5, in the config_ai_battle aswell or just in descr_formations_ai?

[Taiji]

What is important is that the formation listed in formations_ai is not recognisable to the .exe as being 'ai_triple_missiles_in_front', so remove that from the name then rename it to whatever you like.

The config_ai_battle settings you should leave alone. They point to the same formation that the .exe defaults to, it doesn't matter. Just make sure the formation referenced there does not exist, like I said in the above paragraph.

This way the system reverts to the prior method of selecting formations which should be the same as RTW's system.

edit:

Further testing ... seems the formation is changed and then I get a CTD when I click start battle. Perhaps my celebration was premature ... again ... lol

[PlayerOne]

Strange. im still getting a CTD when i simply change the 2 formation names to 4 and 5.

Edit:

yeah that is what is happening to me. the only way i could solve it was by adding:
supporting faction slave

the computer recognises another formation, but only seems to be one formation.

[Taiji]

At what point? When you click start battle?

[PlayerOne]

i added supporting faction venice to the new formation. so if i am venice in a custom battle i see the new formation.
However if i add a second formation and add supporting faction sicily, and try them in a custom battle then they dont use that formation, but the single line formation.
With no CTD after clicking start battle.

Note: this is with supporting faction slave added to ai_triple_missiles_in_front and ai_triple_missiles_in_front_easy

Edit:

But then the ai changes the formation straight away, back to the ai_triple_missiles_in_front formation it seems after clicking start battle.

[Taiji]

Ah. I see.

my idea failed!

I suspect I get a CTD because the AI cannot find the formation, since I have obviously renamed it.

edit:

OK, next idea. Rename the formations to vary between to ai_triple_missiles_in_front and see if priority has an effect.

[PlayerOne]

That sounds logical.

Your idea is perfect and works up to the point you click start battle. As all formtions seem to work.

Beyond that CTD.

[Taiji]

Ah... confusing

I just tested what I suggested and found the same thing you described before: The AI now starts in the formation stipulated by the priority but then changes to the first ai_triple_missiles_in_front in the list at the start of the battle.

[PlayerOne]

i think i just tried what you suggested, might be different.

I renamed my new formation ai_triple_missiles_in_front.
And changed the 2 original formations, 'ai_triple_missiles_in_front', to '4' and '5'.

i tried it and it seemed promising.

[Taiji]

It will use the first ai_triple_missiles_in_front it finds in formations_ai everytime the AI army gets an 'attack player army' order.

I tried getting it to use the second option with the same name by raising it's priority above the first. It did not work, the first option (low priority) was chosen.

If the formation does not exist at all then it CTDs when clicking start battle.

I haven't found a way around it yet...

[PlayerOne]

True. The only positive was that the AI kept formation.

What if every formation went under the begin_formation title of 'ai_triple_missiles_in_front'. And we divided each factions formations by just using the supported_faction line.