Love the idea, but cant get to grips with the team AI in the demo

[KR303 10]

Hi guys, im a complete Noob when it comes to this game and need some pointers or direction to a good guide.

I've just tried the demo for OA and i cant get anywhere because my AI team mates take so long to move with me that the mission time outs, before i even get anywhere.

I need some help big time as i love the ideas and depth of this game.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

[Tonci87 161]

I guess they are in "Danger" Combat Mode. You can try to order them into Aware by pressing 3-3, they still might stay in Danger if there are enemys around. And don´t forget, you are playing only the DEMO. The AI has significantly improved with the latest patches.

Good Luck

[KR303 10]

Thanks, yea i tried that also. I am getting used to the terrain now also and i think that might have been an issue as i was just running down steep hills (although at first i didn't realise were so steep) and this was slowing them down.

Thanks though, i'll get the hang of it soon :)

So the demo is quite old then, i thought it would have updated as well??

I might just go and buy the game then

[Tonci87 161]

Would be a good Idea. Yeah the Demo is indeed pretty old. Make sure to buy Arma 2 too, go for the Combined Operations package if you can, Then you will have a very awesome game!

[Windexglow 10]

Even still though, don't expect a whole lot different. Managing the ai to do basic tasks is a game in of itself.

[NeMeSiS 11]

The 'AI very slow in combat mode' has been fixed in the latest patch, if you want them to just run for it you can just give them a move order.

[maturin 12]

If you want them to keep pace no matter what, put them in Compact Column or Delta formation.

This is pretty much a workaround, though. Only use it if you are about to be crushed by a column of tanks or something. If you want them to use cover more effectively and not die, just use Return to Formation commands and be patient.

And really, the game is much more fun when you have no AI to baby-sit. I almost never control a squad when I make editor missions for myself.

[Gunter Severloh 2545]

Even still though, don't expect a whole lot different. Managing the ai to do basic tasks is a game in of itself.

There is a difference, learn how to command and add some mods and or scripts.

here some guides:

[GUIDE] AI Squad Command

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=81123

Comprehensive and In-Depth guide to commanding your AI squad

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=107231

lose the demo get the game, AI is better, and even better when you mod, but the main thing with or without upgrades is understanding

how to command your AI, all depends on what you need them to do, and if there are enemy around, they can sometimes have a mind of their own.

[Westsailor 10]

Don't feel bad. I'm having a similar problem wrapping my head around how to lead an AI squad in the Demo as well (ver 1.59). All I've been able to figure out so far is how to get one or more of them to move to a particular location, what formation to adopt and how to rejoin into formation. Basically because that's all the choices given to me thus far.

I haven't yet figured out how to have them adopt any particular combat mode (stealth, etc). I've yet to see what I would consider relevant commands available in the complex command menu. The choices I'm looking for are always greyed out or missing altogether.

For example, say one of the squad reports "enemy man, 11 o'clock at 100 mtrs". Now I would expect to be able to command that squaddie (if not all) to engage (bksp 3) or adopt a different combat mode (prone, crouch, etc). Nope, seems like the only choices I get are Move, Status, Formation & Team. I've never even seen Target, Engage, Mount, Action or Combat mode as a choice.

Makes me think the complex command menu is somehow context sensitive but I've yet to figure out what the different contexts are. Obviously I'm a noob as well and I just haven't 'grokked' the concept yet. Fortunately, there seems to be no end of resources 'out there' to reference, learn how to do something (Google is your friend).

That said, as frustratingly obtuse as it seems to be, I'm downloading ArmA2 Combined Ops as we speak (via Sprocket). From what little I've seen so far ultimately it looks like it'll be worth the steep learning curve.

Edited April 23, 2011 by Westsailor

[Beagle 674]

Learn how A.I. thinks and react by placing you as the lowest rank in a squad. Place waypoints and soem enemyes and just listen to your A.I. buddies..learn how ther A.I. trieas to manage thingfs ans siply do not order them something they can not perform well.

Next step... now switch to Leader... Group the squad into teams red, green, blue, try the combat modes and formations, fire at will etc. all that wil have them behave differenty.

Don't run around all the time, let the A.I. keep up all few minutes...Player can run faster as A.I. does.

Never run, exept for evasion. Running will throw your and A.I.'s aim off.

Use a fireteam for scouting, send them to go in front of the team...they wil now act as a indicator if the team can keep up with the player or not....and you willdie less often. Having the squad with you instead of a mile behind you in a streched row will make your life easier in case of enemy contact.

Remember, dont run all the time... ArmA is not about fast pace, it's offten patience that wins.

Edited April 23, 2011 by Beagle

[KR303 10]

Have a little patience, ive now bought the game researched the best mods, have ACE and ACEX the six updater and the rest of it, optimized my computer and its running flawlessly!

Im really happy because it really is a great game! Gonna start some multiplayer soon i reckon!

@Westsailor

Persevere and you shall prevail! ;)

[Gunter Severloh 2545]

ive now bought the game researched the best mods

Congratulations and welcome to the game, as for best mods.... best is based on personal preference on how you like to play your game.

Dont short change yourself thinking that one or 2 mods are the "best" or "the only mods" ect,.

maybe you meant best mods for you, never the less, there are ALOT of great mods from the community.

I'm just saying dont stop at ACE or Acre because they are popular, expand your horizons, you would be suprised

how a tiny little 65kb addon can make such a difference in your game.

if you want limitations you wont find any in this game, although it has been said "theres engine limits" blah, blah whatever

I've seen that defied., :j: only limits are between your ears.

Again welcome, and you'll love MP too :)

[KR303 10]

Thanks Gunter, yes i am trying out a lot at the moment. Some seem to affect my fps too much tho and some don't :)

It was your signature that i actually seen first and have tried alot of them out although i only have OA standalone (wish i'd bought CO tho) so am waiting for your WarMod for that :)

SLX is great, so many useful little mods inside that package!

[Muahaha 10]

Wait till you try out the editor and mods like GL4, UPSMon, ZeusAI. It's a whole new level of creativity and enjoyment of the game.

Edited April 25, 2011 by Muahaha

[walker 0]

Hi guys, im a complete Noob when it comes to this game and need some pointers or direction to a good guide.

I've just tried the demo for OA and i cant get anywhere because my AI team mates take so long to move with me that the mission time outs, before i even get anywhere.

I need some help big time as i love the ideas and depth of this game.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

Hi KR303

There is BIS Wiki page you might find of help:

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA_II_AI_Squad_Command

Kind Regards walker

[KR303 10]

Hi KR303

There is BIS Wiki page you might find of help:

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA_II_AI_Squad_Command

Kind Regards walker

That link was really helpful actually! Assigning teams is something i just passed over tbh, think i'm gonna give it a go now :)

Thanks

[Tonci87 161]

I meant that one that poorOldSpike posted, but yours is nice too^^

[Gunter Severloh 2545]

(wish i'd bought CO tho) so am waiting for your WarMod for that

Your going to wait probably til mid or end of may for my latest version as i'm taking my time, but I would get OA and get CO

going and check out the features and such that the game has to offer.

To me a new guy should get into the game before they get into mods, so they can appreciate the unique features, and changes,

fixes if any that mod has to offer, its like saying the new wine tastes great when you havent tasted the old wine first,

you dont really know the difference is.

Anyways up to you what you do, hope everything works out great for you in your searches.

[KR303 10]

Your going to wait probably til mid or end of may for my latest version as i'm taking my time, but I would get OA and get CO

going and check out the features and such that the game has to offer.

To me a new guy should get into the game before they get into mods, so they can appreciate the unique features, and changes,

fixes if any that mod has to offer, its like saying the new wine tastes great when you havent tasted the old wine first,

you dont really know the difference is.

Anyways up to you what you do, hope everything works out great for you in your searches.

Yes i agree! With ACE everything just feels better and then a few from SLX such as muting the commander voice etc

That's all i'm using for my first play through SP!

Gonna get CO after and do a run through that too!