Re: The Art of Placement
 

The AI calculates the greatest loss in HP (other factors are probably included) when deciding what and where to target a spell. Thus soul slay mainly hits big units and AoE spells targets a HP-dense location with low protection density (unless the spell is AN).

Re: The Art of Placement
 

Thanks KO. Very useful explanation of spell casting targeting.

Re: The Art of Placement
 

As a slight different idea...

Is there any way to code the AI so that it targets spells based on 'greatest loss of combat effectiveness'? As an example, say you have 10 Caelian High Seraphs on a battlefield opposing 30 HI and 70 Archers. One of the Seraphs has a Staff of Storms, and they all have Air Shield on items (i.e., they don't have to cast it).

The threat of the archers is practically 0. Therefore, if I'm throwing, say, Thunder Strikes, could the AI be programmed to go after the HI preferentially over the Archers?

(I'm not saying the current system is broken. I'm just looking at ways of tweaking it.)

Re: The Art of Placement
 

It would be nice to have a little more situational awareness.

Ignoring archers during a storm with Air Shield up is one example. Prioritizing Air Shield if there are arrows falling around you would be another. Or casting Resist Lightning when Wrathful Skies goes up.

It's not a simple task though. Lots of things to think of and check for. It seems obvious, but really isn't and could easily introduce even weirder behavior.

Re: The Art of Placement
 

Hmm... if the system were really optimized to cut enemy effectiveness, wouldn't it kill all the enemy mages first? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: The Art of Placement
 

First, I'd like to start by declaring that American Football shall henceforth be known as simply 'Football.' Everything else formerly called Football is hereby to be called Gayball.

Secondly, is there a way to optimize the AI to target spells based on gain to society as a whole?

The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.

Re: The Art of Placement
 

Cant use that, the name is copyrighted. It is what rugby players call the NFL game becouse of the armor, helmet and heavy protections http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: The Art of Placement
 

That's like a naked slinger calling the heavy infantry cowards for wearing their helmets, shields, armor, and swords...

Re: The Art of Placement
 

And then proceeding to kill the heavily-armed Goliath and decapitate him with his own sword.

Re: The Art of Placement
 

obviously rugby is a game for the more skilled and brave... home of the brave...hahaha