Dissapointed

[Arryn]

Originally posted by Strages Sanctus:
how much will thid spell fatigue me? will I go unconcious if I cast this spell.

Under no circumstances should the AI be permitted to cast a spell that will incapacitate the caster when the caster is engaged in melee combat. It shouldn't even permit it when there are enemies that can reach the caster in the enemy's next turn (regardless of bodyguards).

[johan osterman]

Originally posted by Arryn:
...
I really resent the attitude that because you don't understand why the AI did something stupid, that we who are doing the reporting must be wrong somehow. Enough people have been reporting this type of problem that I would expect you to sit up and pay attention. Not make excuses and cavalierly dismiss our reports. It's beneath you.

Sincerely and respectfully yours,

I am sorry, I haven't seen this reported behaviour myself. It's just that quite often people reports 'bugs' that are caused by factors that are not readily apparent, such as their commanders being out of range for their combat spells or Ermorian priest not succesfully beating the MR of all undead troops and thus casting blessings repeatedly etc. Since the systems involved are a little opaque many behaviours might be caused by 'legal'mechanisms that players are not aware of. In the case of repeated casting of non stackable spells mosts of the mechanisms ahs been around since dom 1 times and I haven't myself seen this behavoiur during the 5 or so years I have been playing various Versions of dom1/dom2. But as Kristoffer said, if there is an apparently buggy behaviour send the trn file to support@illwinter.com.

[Kristoffer O]

Originally posted by Strages Sanctus:

--Number of targets hurting me
--Are the troops I am about to target immune to this type of spell damage?
--How many of the attacking enemey troops will I hit with this spell.
--Will it hurt me if I am in the AOE of the spell?
--How many friendlies will be hurt by this spell?
--Armor of troops attacking me
--Is the spell I am about to use more efficient at damaging or penetrating armor.
-- how much will thi spell fatigue me? will I go unconcious if I cast this spell.

The AI does consider these things with the possible exception of AOE. Which of the above do you believe the AI must rate as more or less important a factor and in what cases?

The placement of AOE>1 is randomized and thus difficult to calculate regarding risk to your self.

[Arryn]

Lest J & KO think that I'm being highly critical of their work, I'd like to take a moment to thank them for what I know is the monumental task they've done in creating what is arguably the best AI of any strategy game I've played (HttR has a very good AI as well, perhaps even better, but it's a different style of game and an argument can be made that it's not as complex a game as Dom 2). Sure, the AI in Dom 2 needs some work. It has its quirks. But if it wasn't already a very good AI, we wouldn't all be so fond of this game as we are. And you cannot please everyone, no matter how hard you try. If IW had the manpower and money that some other dev shops do, one can only wonder what truly incredible things they could accomplish. (As long as some idiots like Atari didn't buy them out and then kill their projects.)

Some of us also appreciate that every minute you spend reading (and replying to) our postings here is time we've taken away from your being able to enhance the game. Or having a personal life.

Once again, thank you for giving us such a fine game.

[Arryn]

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Strages Sanctus:

--Number of targets hurting me
--Are the troops I am about to target immune to this type of spell damage?
--How many of the attacking enemey troops will I hit with this spell.
--Will it hurt me if I am in the AOE of the spell?
--How many friendlies will be hurt by this spell?
--Armor of troops attacking me
--Is the spell I am about to use more efficient at damaging or penetrating armor.
-- how much will thi spell fatigue me? will I go unconcious if I cast this spell.

The AI does consider these things with the possible exception of AOE. Which of the above do you believe the AI must rate as more or less important a factor and in what cases?

The placement of AOE>1 is randomized and thus difficult to calculate regarding risk to your self.

---

In order ...

--Are the troops I am about to target immune to this type of spell damage?
(if the target is immune, there is no point to casting the spell)

--how much will this spell fatigue me? will I go unconcious if I cast this spell.
(if the caster is in imminent danger, making the situation more dire is a bad idea)

--Will it hurt me if I am in the AOE of the spell?
(only consider hurting self if you can destroy appreciable numbers of foes, I'll leave it to others to argue over what's 'appreciable')

--How many friendlies will be hurt by this spell?
(never cause more than, say, 1/4 remaining damage to friendlies unless you are assured of victory by wiping out the opposition. no one enjoys pyrrhic victories)

--Number of targets hurting me
(if you are being hit by six enemies, casting a spell that only hurts one of them, and won't even kill that one, is silly)

--How many of the attacking enemey troops will I hit with this spell.
(see earlier comments)

--Armor of troops attacking me
--Is the spell I am about to use more efficient at damaging or penetrating armor.

[Coffeedragon]

Originally posted by Lord_Devi:
I should definatly be able to take more control over them - the AI just isn't capable of using it's magic to it's full potential.

More control would be bad for SP, I believe -it would make computer opponents even weaker.

Even improvements on the spellcasting AI would not be without setback entirely -I think Magic vs. Might in Dom2 is already a little bit too much on the side of Magic.

[Strages Sanctus]

First let me say: Great work so far guys; AI programming is the holy grail of gaming.
Let me add, there is always room for improvement .

Most important to least important:


1. Are my targets immune to this damage type? (if yes ignore this spell)

2. Do I have any spells I can cast that my targets are especially vulnerable to? (examine these first)

3. Do I have any AOE spells I am immune/resistant to but my enemies are succeptible to? (this should be chosen over AOE spells that I am not immune/resistant to)

4. How many IMMEDATE threats can potentially be eliminated with this casting.
4.1. Area of the spell
4.2. Damage potential
4.3. Armor penetration potential
(focus on damage/AOE for light armor enemies)

5.Consider fatigue impact. By this I mean you can come up with a fatigue to damage potential ratio.... The most efficient spell should be used.
Discount any spell that will make me go unconcious.

6. Will friendlies be hurt?


This is where things start getting recursive; and very difficult to weight. I don't envy your task at all .

7. Will the potential number of surviving enemies attacking me be capable of killing me next round?
7.1 Can I remove myself from danger without fleeing the battle? (hard to calculate I guess)
7.2 Can I protect myself from the ensuing potential damage?

8. Can I cast 2 spells a turn? Can I augment my abilities before considering which offensive spell to cast?


Thanks for reading, considering and communicating with your customers.

[ January 27, 2004, 17:06: Message edited by: Strages Sanctus ]