Artificial stupidity

capnq · #2 August 1st, 2006, 07:19 AM

I script mages to (cast specific spell)x5, stay behind troops all the time. They don't stop casting spells until they run out of fatigue.

Arralen · #3 August 1st, 2006, 02:17 PM

Just tested - I stand corrected.

This must have been changed somewhere along the development path - I vaguely remember testing this some (long) time ago and mages behind troops moved but didn't cast then.

However, if you don't want your water mage to move up to the nearest, rearmost squad, simply set him to "cast spells", and he'll stay put.

Ironhawk · #4 August 2nd, 2006, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Arralen said:

Just tested - I stand corrected.

This must have been changed somewhere along the development path - I vaguely remember testing this some (long) time ago and mages behind troops moved but didn't cast then.

However, if you don't want your water mage to move up to the nearest, rearmost squad, simply set him to "cast spells", and he'll stay put.

Whoa, they actually do cast? I'm with you I would have bet 100% that they would move and NOT cast. If they do follow the troops and cast tho... that could provide a niche for your weak mages. If they can only manage the close range (5-10) evoc spells you could set them to follow and they could get up close to the enemy and blast them. Hmm...

Arker · #5 August 2nd, 2006, 11:00 PM

Exactly. Except for their tendency to senselessly cast BoW and then kill each other with it, this is a very handy tactical tool.

Also it seems that when you put them on 'stay behind troops' they will fire ranged weapons on and off, keeping their fatigue down and their spellcasting going longer, but on 'cast spells' they ignore their ranged weapons and just cast until they pass out.

Arker · #6 August 3rd, 2006, 11:57 PM

Testing reveals that switching the final order from 'stay behind troops' to 'cast spells' or, for that matter, to null, does not alter the behaviour. I still get mages running across the battlefield to get close to other mages, archers, or illithids and casting BoW. There is some variation, though, sometimes cast BoW THEN run to where it can inflict the most casualties on their own side, sometimes run to position first, THEN cast BoW.

*sigh*

I don't know which is dumber, the mage doing that in the first place, or the other units inside the area of effect simply standing there until they die from it, but either way, there's a stupidity overload going on for sure.

Wish · #7 August 4th, 2006, 02:50 AM

your solution is to not research enchantment, I guess.