New Commander Order

[Ironhawk]

So, like many other people I have been frustrated by the inability to script more than 5 spells for my mages. Not that I don't see the need for putting a limit on it! Certainly there does need to be a limit or people will spend hours tweaking thier 30 long spell script or other such nonsense.

What I propose is to add a standing order (like Attack) called Cast Spell 'x'. This order would allow you to pick a spell out of the available spells for that mage and have him attempt to cast it continually. For example, you could take a caelum Seraph and script:

Quickness, Summon Storm Power, Cast Spell: Orb Lightning

And the seraph would just continually cast Orb Lightning until the battle ends or he dies.

Of course, you sacrifice versatility for a small measure of control. In the above example, if the seraph is attacked by a shock resistant creature.. oh well, tough for you. Regardless, I feel that this is a reasonable compromise b/w the need to keep the spell scripts manageable and the desire for more control over your spellcasters.

[ July 14, 2004, 20:25: Message edited by: Ironhawk ]

[Norfleet]

Originally posted by Ironhawk:
Of course, you sacrifice versatility for a small measure of control. In the above example, if the seraph is attacked by a shock resistant creature.. oh well, tough for you. Regardless, I feel that this is a reasonable compromise b/w the need to keep the spell scripts manageable and the desire for more control over your spellcasters.

Well, if he's attacked by lightning-immune creatures only, Orb Lightning would be useless and the AI would have to pick something else to do.

[Ironhawk]

Well, yes an no, norfleet. I mean yes you'd hope that the AI could pick a better spell if it was really down to the wire or something. But just by making that very statement you are impinging on the extra control that you've just gained.

Of course its a different story if the spell they are attempting to cast has no valid targets whatsoever or if they run out of gems, etc, etc.

[Norfleet]

Originally posted by Ironhawk:
Of course its a different story if the spell they are attempting to cast has no valid targets whatsoever or if they run out of gems, etc, etc.

That would be the case if you're trying to fling Orb Lightning at lightning-immune targets, yes: No valid targets available, so the AI defaults to something else. Although with that idea, he'd immediately go back to orb lightning the moment a valid target presented itself.