Lord Of Storms
07-30-2003, 23:40
While trying to entertain myself in between working on The Napoloenic Mod for VI, I was experimenting with getting the AI to use The Square as a defensive formation.
Using the info in the MTW formation data files provided by CA, available on the org's download page.
I found that the formations in the historical formations file can be adapted to the AI's special formation file.
I simply cut the desired formation from the historical file, and paste it in the AI special formation file.
The key in getting the AI to choose the new formation, was by changing the priority integer at the heading of the formation data.
My first attempt was with the Square formation, I raised the priority to 2, and started a custom battle
The AI formed into the square right away, you will notice this on the small inset map right away.
Then it seems to break up and regroups to form again .
I purposely waited on my attack to see what the AI would do,
and given the time they formed the MTW version of The Square
more of a 3 sided rectangle.
I attacked using only my Cavalry and charged the infantry
front line of the square, I was dismayed to see that the lines did not hold for very long, but in the face of a Cav charge I expected nothing less.
I then tried to change the compositon of the formation,
I was able to put the Generals Cavalry unit in the center of the Square.
And I was able to add the command line "Hold The Line"
I then tried yet another custom battle to see if the command
would help, alas it did not I did notice now given time between assualts they would always try to regroup and form the square with the generals unit protected in the center.
I then proceeded to experiment with various parameters
and was able to achieve varied results by changing the formation data, Formation unit composition, priority integers and also some tweaks to the unit prod.
Like cav defense bonus for Inf.,Disciplined,perfectly formed etc.just to see the effect.
So while not being a monumental discovery, I think it at least opens up some possibilties.
To try your own experiments just get the CA formation Data
which has some good info on file structure and keywords and parameters.
I eventually added The Block formation to the AI's formation file which was interesting.
The entire defensive force formed into a solid block
with the Generals unit protected to the rear.
When I get more time I will experiment further I thought I
would share my findings with my fellow modders.
Iknow someone will take this info to the next level, and who knows what they will come up with. Have Fun LOS http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif P.S.This will work in both versions of MTW 1.1 and VI as the files are identical and have not changed from the last version.
Using the info in the MTW formation data files provided by CA, available on the org's download page.
I found that the formations in the historical formations file can be adapted to the AI's special formation file.
I simply cut the desired formation from the historical file, and paste it in the AI special formation file.
The key in getting the AI to choose the new formation, was by changing the priority integer at the heading of the formation data.
My first attempt was with the Square formation, I raised the priority to 2, and started a custom battle
The AI formed into the square right away, you will notice this on the small inset map right away.
Then it seems to break up and regroups to form again .
I purposely waited on my attack to see what the AI would do,
and given the time they formed the MTW version of The Square
more of a 3 sided rectangle.
I attacked using only my Cavalry and charged the infantry
front line of the square, I was dismayed to see that the lines did not hold for very long, but in the face of a Cav charge I expected nothing less.
I then tried to change the compositon of the formation,
I was able to put the Generals Cavalry unit in the center of the Square.
And I was able to add the command line "Hold The Line"
I then tried yet another custom battle to see if the command
would help, alas it did not I did notice now given time between assualts they would always try to regroup and form the square with the generals unit protected in the center.
I then proceeded to experiment with various parameters
and was able to achieve varied results by changing the formation data, Formation unit composition, priority integers and also some tweaks to the unit prod.
Like cav defense bonus for Inf.,Disciplined,perfectly formed etc.just to see the effect.
So while not being a monumental discovery, I think it at least opens up some possibilties.
To try your own experiments just get the CA formation Data
which has some good info on file structure and keywords and parameters.
I eventually added The Block formation to the AI's formation file which was interesting.
The entire defensive force formed into a solid block
with the Generals unit protected to the rear.
When I get more time I will experiment further I thought I
would share my findings with my fellow modders.
Iknow someone will take this info to the next level, and who knows what they will come up with. Have Fun LOS http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif P.S.This will work in both versions of MTW 1.1 and VI as the files are identical and have not changed from the last version.