Please change summon AI

Epistaxis · Post by **Epistaxis** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 7:49 am

Hi devs

I appreciate what you have done to boost the AI on the NPC but it looks like the undead summon has become even less intelligent or smart in a dumb way.

Example 1:
At the amazons. The summon will run toward the first hurler that throws ranged weapons at me or the summon. The summon will before it reaches the first hurler switch target and run toward the next hurler that throws axes. Then before the mummy reaches the second hurler it decides that the spell caster is more interessting.
I have seen the mummy summon run in circles while it is slowly getting killed without hitting any of the amazons continually switching target.

Example 2:
In the middle of a close fight with 3-4 amazons the mummy suddenly decides to run away and charge another group of amazons far away and non aggressive. This is not good as the mummy then changes his mind and runs back to help me with 3 more amazons chasing it. I then get the same behavior as above where it runs back and forth between the two groups of amazons.

I did not notice this behavior before the major AI changes which was implemented recently. It sometimes work if I spam the guard me and follow me action to keep the mummy close and stay with the amazons that I have engaged.

Could you please change the summons AI script to stay with one target at a time and not switch over until it has clubbed it to death? He would normally be able to take down a few amazons by himself but he can barely handle a single as he runs around all the time getting hacked to pieces by throwing axes or back and forth between two spell casters.

Post by **Zing** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 8:01 am

Firstly I want to say thanks for such an amusing read. The mental image of your summon doing a few laps and dragging the entire maps worths of mobs down on you is pretty funny.

However in all seriousness I didn't change the targetting side of the AI at all during the last updates so I suspect that the current cluelessness you are experiencing has always been there, just not seen in quite the same way.

I'll certainly take a look into this though, we have some pretty big plans for summons etc - thanks for the feedback

Epistaxis · Post by **Epistaxis** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 8:10 am

Thanks allot, it just lookes like it is happening more often lately. Could it be that the amazons with the new scripting is threatening a larger area now or because they are all "spawned" right away and active as they throw their buffs?

But you are right about the amusing part, I sometimes find myself cursing the mummy as he runs away from a difficult encounter to attack another group of enemies leaving me behind

I guess an undead summon is supposed to be mindless

Epistaxis · Post by **Epistaxis** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 8:12 am

Zing wrote: I'll certainly take a look into this though, we have some pretty big plans for summons etc - thanks for the feedback

I look forward to see what plans you have

Jain · Post by **Jain** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:59 am

Using cleric and shadowdancer summons occasionally, I find them to keep to a target, but they don't usually last long and are more of a distraction unless you really buff them.

All I have to say about a level 30 PM summon can be summed up by a single word (and pic): DEMILICH

Epistaxis · Post by **Epistaxis** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:45 pm

Jain wrote:Using cleric and shadowdancer summons occasionally, I find them to keep to a target, but they don't usually last long and are more of a distraction unless you really buff them.

All I have to say about a level 30 PM summon can be summed up by a single word (and pic): DEMILICH

That demi lich looks like a nice pet, I look forward to see what changes Zing has planned regarding the summons.

My palemasters mummy summon is much stronger. He could before the AI changes clear two of the amazon areas before entering the last area with all the bosses. The improved NPC AI has made it allot more challenging, especially the ritualist are tough.

deathdearler1 · Post by **deathdearler1** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:42 pm

maybe familiars and companions will make a come back in the next 6-9 months...lol

Epistaxis · Post by **Epistaxis** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 2:54 am

deathdearler1 wrote:maybe familiars and companions will make a come back in the next 6-9 months...lol

The familiar is not much good when playing a palemaster. The familiar would be weak with only 10 levels of wizard. I have never missed the familiar as long as I have my undead servant.