Reasons why the computer will not cast the spells you script
 

I have often noticed that some of my favorite scripts (power of the spheres, phoenix power, flame arrows, wind guide) do not get cast but rather astral shield followed by something I dont want DESPITE the fact that the commander definately has enough gems on him. So what reasons could there be in those cases?

Since my searches on this topic turned up either inconsistancies, I thought I would start a thread here and hope people would add.

To my knowledge, the tactical AI spellcasting will not cast your scripted spells if they are
- impossible to cast (e.g. underwated/land conflict)
- you dont have enough gems
- if you scripted Quickness, your following spells might get replaced by some random spell you get from extra "quickness" spell (I think??)
- there is no appropriate target (in range)?? (is this right)?
- when else?

Re: Reasons why the computer will not cast the spells you script
 

It may also ignore your gem-burning spells if it believes that the opposition doesn't merit it. It's unlikely to cast Master Enslave on a single Call of the Winds strike, say.

Re: Reasons why the computer will not cast the spells you script
 

Hmph. I'd prefer a "I Mean It!" option or something that casts the spells regardless of opposition. I'd rather burn a few gems than lose a spellcaster because he thought the opposition was weak.

Re: Reasons why the computer will not cast the spells you script
 

The AI doesn't seem to want to cast redundant spells in SOME cases. I can't get it to cast Aim after Wind Guide is active. But that doesn't seem to apply to the whole casting *foo* resistance even though the target already has greater *foo* resistance than the spell can provide.

<edited for clarity>

[ March 05, 2004, 18:15: Message edited by: Demosthenes ]

Re: Reasons why the computer will not cast the spells you script
 

No target in range is definite a reason. Another seems to be "Hey look, bloodslaves! Fun!". http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

PvK

Re: Reasons why the computer will not cast the spells you script
 

Oh, another is - "I used the gems that spell needs, to save myself fatigue when casting an earlier spell."

PvK

Re: Reasons why the computer will not cast the spells you script
 

Yes.

I wonder how the "doesnt merit it" is calculated. In the example in my original strat, I was storming a castle in which the enemy's pretender was sitting, a Titan surrounded by a few ( but only a few) beefy units. It seems the computer calculates numbers, not power. I had tons of gems, I really wanted to make sure nothing got screwed up -- and I *think* that because flaming arrow, antimagic, wind guide, arrow fend (I think it was a hill fortress and there wwere tons of javs coming at me) were not cast as I had scripted I got hurt badly (many troops but also prophet and 1 other nice general died) when I should have taken only minimal cannon fodder losses. Kind of dissapointed in that, it really makes me think: ah, great planning here by me muhahah -- argh but what for!?

Re: Reasons why the computer will not cast the spells you script
 

untits with quickness just go through thier script twice as fast, they don't randomly pick a spell for the extra action.

Re: Reasons why the computer will not cast the spells you script
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Actually, they sometimes do. I have seen a mage do: Pick 1, Random, Pick 2, Pick 3, Pick 4, Random, Pick 5. I've also seen other combos.

Re: Reasons why the computer will not cast the spells you script
 

Maybe the gem-saving ai should be disabled when storming a castle, since castles are sometimes defended by a small number of very strong mages and your huge army cant get at them because of the walls. The gem-saving ai is great to avoid wasting gems on small battles, but the storming of a castle is often carefully planned.

Any bad things about the idea?