How does RandomPercent function?

[chrisb]

Can anyone clarify how RandomPercent functions, please! I know that it takes a number between 0 and 100, but when does the engine (BI) "roll the dice"? If I have RandomPercent inside a monitor, does it pick a separate number for each RandomPercent line, or is there one random number per monitor, or one random number per turn, or something else?

This is important e.g. for defining some options within monitors.

If I want for example two optional messages to be displayed after an event (defined in a monitor), can I do the following?

monitor_event [event]
          [conditions]
                      if RandomPercent > 50
                      advance_advice_thread [message1]
                      if RandomPercent <= 50
                      advance_advice_thread [message2]
                      end_if
                end_if
end_monitor

If the number is picked every time, then both messages 1 and 2 may be displayed. But if it is picked only once during a monitor, or once during a turn, messages 1 and 2 are mutually exclusive - just as I would want them to be. Help, anyone?

And please, confirm that the syntax above is correct! Or should the first end_if be in front of the second if like this?

monitor_event [event]
          [conditions]
                      if RandomPercent > 50
                      advance_advice_thread [message1]
                      end_if
                      if RandomPercent <= 50
                      advance_advice_thread [message2]
                      end_if
end_monitor

[Squid]

Depends on what you're trying to achieve. For the first one, the first message will show 50% of the time and the second message will show 50% of the time the first message shows. The second one each message will appear 50% of time, the difference is that the second message can appear without the first one (and will do so 25% of the time).

First: 50% no message, 25% first message, 25% first & second message
Second: 25% no message, 25% first message, 25% first & second message, 25% second message

[chrisb]

Depends on what you're trying to achieve. For the first one, the first message will show 50% of the time and the second message will show 50% of the time the first message shows. The second one each message will appear 50% of time, the difference is that the second message can appear without the first one (and will do so 25% of the time).

First: 50% no message, 25% first message, 25% first & second message
Second: 25% no message, 25% first message, 25% first & second message, 25% second message

Oh, now I got it, thanks Squid! But is there any way of making the following:

X% first message, (100-X)% second message, i.e. to make them dependent on each other?

[Squid]

Yes, its a bit convoluted though.

declare_counter event1_fired

monitor event [event] [first condition]
    [conditions]
        set_couner event1_fired 0
        if RandomPercent <= X
            stuff for event 1
            set_counter event1_fired 1
        end
        if I_CompareCounter event1_fired 0
            stuff for event 2
        end
end_monitor

A very complicated way to do an if . . . else . . . end block.

end_monitor

[chrisb]

A very complicated way to do an if . . . else . . . end block.

Clever, thanks! +rep

[chrisb]

OK, many things resolved, but now have yet another question about this same topic. Some help would again much appreciated!

I would like to add a random number to a counter during each turn when certain conditions are met. The numbers would be mostly small, but occasionally larger. I haven't been able to come up with any other option than using multiple ifs where large numbers are added with smaller likelyhood and smaller numbers more often. So something like this:

declare_counter cumulative_counter
monitor_event [some event here]
[conditions]
if RandomPercent > 90
inc_counter cumulative_counter 100
end_if
if RandomPercent > 50
 inc_counter cumulative_counter 10
end_if
if RandomPercent > 20
 inc_counter cumulative_counter 2
end_if

if RandomPercent > 10
 inc_counter cumulative_counter 1
end_if
end_monitor

Now it would be important for me to understand how many times "the dice is thrown" during this monitor. Is it thrown only once or once for each RandomPercent? Because if it is thrown only once, then the only "large" number that can be added to the counter is 113 (if the first randompercent is more than 90, then the other conditions are met as well). If the random number is selected every time separately, then adding e.g. 100, 101, 102, 103, 110, 111, 112, 113 are all possible large numbers.

Any idea how it works?

And please, if you can think of a better way to achieve what I'm trying to do, please let me know!

[chrisb]

Yes, its a bit convoluted though.

declare_counter event1_fired

monitor event [event] [first condition]
    [conditions]
        set_couner event1_fired 0
        if RandomPercent <= X
            stuff for event 1
            set_counter event1_fired 1
        end
        if I_CompareCounter event1_fired 0
            stuff for event 2
        end
end_monitor

A very complicated way to do an if . . . else . . . end block.

end_monitor

Hi guys,

could you Squid or someone else confirm that this indeed works? I've tried the following, but always get the second message, although have 99 % probability for first one.

declare_counter traitbased_options

monitor_event FactionTurnStart FactionType romans_scipii
        and I_CompareCounter counter1 = 4
        and I_CompareCounter counter2 = 1
        and I_CompareCounter counter3 = 1
        and I_CompareCounter counter4 = 2
            set_counter traitbased_options 0
            if RandomPercent < 99
                advance_advice_thread PromptThreadWinningMessage 1
                set_counter traitbased_options 1
            end_if
            if I_CompareCounter traitbased_options = 0
                advance_advice_thread PromptThreadWinningMessage 2
            end_if
end_monitor

When conditions are met, the monitor fires, since WinningMessage 2 appears. But where is 1? I'm not sure if there's something else wrong, since I cannot get message 1 appear with this either, always just second message:

monitor_event FactionTurnStart FactionType romans_scipii
        and I_CompareCounter counter1 = 4
        and I_CompareCounter counter2 = 1
        and I_CompareCounter counter3 = 1
            if I_CompareCounter counter4 = 2
                advance_advice_thread PromptThreadWinningMessage 1
            end_if
        [....other similar if blocks with different counter4 values removed]
        set_counter counter2 0
        set_counter counter3 0
end_monitor

eda.txt

AdviceThread PromptThreadWinningMessage
    GameArea Campaign

    Item PromptItem1
        Uninhibitable
        Verbosity  0
        Threshold  1
        MaxRepeats  0
        RepeatInterval  1
        Attitude Normal
        Presentation Default
        Title WinningMessageTitle1
        Text WinningMessageText1
        Text WinningMessageText2

ea.txt

{WinningMessageTitle1}Winning message!
{WinningMessageText1}First message. 
{WinningMessageText2}Second message.

[HouseOfHam]

Every check is a separate roll.

If you want your counter to only be incremented once per event, you'll need to add one more counter to act as a flag, i.e.:

declare_counter cumulative_counter
declare_counter cumulative_flag ; 0 or 1

monitor_event <event> <condition>
     [and <more conditions>]

    set_counter cumulative_flag 0
    if RandomPercent > 90
        inc_counter cumulative_counter 100
        set_counter cumulative_flag 1
    end_if

    if I_CompareCounter cumulative_flag = 0
    and RandomPercent > 50
        inc_counter cumulative_counter 100
        set_counter cumulative_flag 1
    end_if

    if I_CompareCounter cumulative_flag = 0
    and RandomPercent > 20
        inc_counter cumulative_counter 2 
        set_counter cumulative_flag 1
    end_if
    
    if I_CompareCounter cumulative_flag = 0
    and RandomPercent > 10
        inc_counter cumulative_counter 1
        set_counter cumulative_flag 1
    end_if 

end_monitor

[chrisb]

Every check is a separate roll.

If you want your counter to only be incremented once per event, you'll need to add one more counter to act as a flag, i.e.:

Good advice again, thanks a lot!!!

[Quinn Inuit]

For the record, I have gotten a script to work where it spawned two different armies based on the same R#. If the R# was < 5, it was the small army. If the R# was > 98, it was the large army. Let me know if you're interested in the script. I'm away from home ATM, and so don't have it with me.

[chrisb]

For the record, I have gotten a script to work where it spawned two different armies based on the same R#. If the R# was < 5, it was the small army. If the R# was > 98, it was the large army. Let me know if you're interested in the script. I'm away from home ATM, and so don't have it with me.

Hi there, and sorry for the delay, I've been away from home travelling. I would be very interested! Can you post it here, or PM? Here might be more useful for others too ;-)

[Quinn Inuit]

Always happy to help an Edgar Rice Burroughs fan.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

monitor_event FactionTurnStart FactionType scythia
    and not FactionIsLocal
    if RandomPercent < 3
        spawn_army
            faction scythia
            character Kudurmabug, general, age 30, , x 314, y 122
            unit        sarmatian noble cavalry                exp 0 armour 1 weapon_lvl 1
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer            exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer            exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
        end
    end_if
        if RandomPercent > 98  
        spawn_army
            faction scythia
            character Kudurmabug, general, age 30, , x 316, y 122
            unit        sarmatian noble cavalry                exp 0 armour 1 weapon_lvl 1
            unit        sarmatian noble cavalry                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
            unit        sarmatian horse archer                exp 0 armour 0 weapon_lvl 0
        end
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = thrace
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia thrace war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = seleucid
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia seleucid war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = parthia
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia parthia war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = armenia
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia armenia war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = romans_julii
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia romans_julii war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = egypt
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia egypt war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = dacia
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia dacia war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = pontus
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia pontus war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = macedon
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia macedon war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = carthage
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia carthage war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = romans_scipii
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia romans_scipii war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = romans_brutii
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia romans_brutii war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = greek_cities
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia greek_cities war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = spain
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia spain war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = gauls
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia gauls war
    end_if
    if I_SettlementOwner Merv = germans
        and I_CharacterTypeNearTile scythia general, 10 316,117
        console_command diplomatic_stance scythia germans war
    end_if
end_monitor

[Squid]

That's still two different calls to RandomPercent, your probability of overlap is just very small (3% * 1% = 0.03% or three turns in every 10000 both will fire).

[Quinn Inuit]

Oh, O.K. Can't say I've ever seen or heard of them firing together, but it's far enough out in the boonies that most users would probably miss it.

[Squid]

My bad, the number of turns between fires was off by a factor of 100, so its 3 turns in every 10,000 that both will fire.

[Quinn Inuit]

That would definitely explain why nobody's reported it yet.

[chrisb]

OK, thanks again! I'll definitely try this. And indeed, E.R.B. rocks!

[HouseOfHam]

Not sure how familiar you are with advice threads, so here is a really quick intro:

Whenever an advice trigger fires or the advance_advice_thread command is used, it adds 1 or more points to an internal thread counter. The game then checks if its value is high enough to meet a threshold. If it is, it will display advice. In case of multiple item blocks, it will look for the highest met threshold. Each item block can have more than one text line. You have no control over which line within the item block will be displayed.

Anyhow, what you really need is 2 separate threads.

[chrisb]

Oh, thanks a lot, I had really misunderstood the whole. I just read also this and got a bit more idea. So you cannot control which of the >1 text lines is displayed? But how do they appear then, in random order or what? That would actually be exactly what I'm looking for as I would like to have several different advice messages for the same event, creating a bit variability to the game. I tried to do it with the script if-else, but that may be too complicated approach for that purpose.

Could you still explain what you mean with "In case of multiple item blocks". Thanks!

[HouseOfHam]

An advice thread can have multiple Item blocks, each with its own threshold value.

For example:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

AdviceThread Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Thread
    GameArea Campaign

    Item Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_01
        Suppressible y 
        Uninhibitable
        Verbosity  3 
        Threshold  1 
        Attitude Normal
        Presentation Default
        Title Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_01_Title
        Text Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_01_Text1

    Item Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_02
        Suppressible y 
        Uninhibitable
        Verbosity  3 
        Threshold  8 
        Attitude Normal
        Presentation Default
        Title Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_02_Title
        Text Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_02_Text1

    Item Enemy_Zone_Of_Movement_Text_01
        Suppressible y 
        Uninhibitable
        Verbosity  3 
        Threshold  16 
        Attitude Normal
        Presentation Default
        Title Enemy_Zone_Of_Movement_Text_01_Title
        Text Enemy_Zone_Of_Movement_Text_01_Text1

    Item Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_03
        Suppressible y 
        Uninhibitable
        Verbosity  3 
        Threshold  24 
        Attitude Normal
        Presentation Default
        Title Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_03_Title
        Text Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_03_Text1

    Item Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_04
        Suppressible y 
        Uninhibitable
        Verbosity  3 
        Threshold  32 
        Attitude Normal
        Presentation Default
        Title Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_04_Title
        Text Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_04_Text1

    Item Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_05
        Uninhibitable
        Verbosity  3 
        Threshold  48 
        Attitude Normal
        Presentation Default
        Title Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_05_Title
        Text Characters_Agent_Army_Early_Advice_Text_05_Text1