How to make AI cast spells.

[Karzama]

So for my lil hero map I'm adding in some AI and so far I'm happy with it. But problem is that I've got some custom spells which they obviously won't use of which defeats the object of having the spells in the first place!!!

I've only got 2 custom spells both which are based on Charm and do damage to the target area.

I'm also wondering how to get heroes to cast spells they normally wouldn't cast. For example; one hero has Absorb Mana but won't use it because the condition normally is for the unit/hero to have 0 mana, which isn't going to happen.

Cheers people!

 

[Nichilus]

You'll have to make the AI yourself via trigger editor - like a periodic loop if you want, or when your hero attacks, you check how many enemies are nearby the attacked unit, and so on, because it's just like you wrote - their base AI has different conditions to when to use those abilities.

 

[Karzama]

Ahh so just experiment basically. Well that's cool anyway! I'll see what happens!

 

[pOke]

I've only got 2 custom spells both which are based on Charm and do damage to the target area.

If both of those abilities are on them same unit it will cause a problem.

 

[mikagami]

try every few second maybe?

 

[mckill2009]

The best way is to assign that custom spell to a castable spell by AI, see http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/...ustom-spells-cast-melee-game-ai-units-193280/ for reference...

 

[jonhysone]

Unit - Order Unit to ....
If the spell is Target point , Choose the based ability and choose target
If the spell is Target Unit , Choose the based ability and choose target , too
If the spell is instant and has no target , Choose based ability and issue order
If the spell....
That's all lol

 

[Malhorne]

Run AI in trigger.
And trigger the learning spells.

Otherwise create your owns.

 

[BloodDrunk]

When the unit is attacked, order him to cast spell (on the attacker if target unit)
Every 1.00 seconds, pick units around the hero (matching (conditions when you want it to cast spell if it's AoE spell)) and order it to cast (This way my AI is working)

Etc....
There's many ways.

 

[Malhorne]

I saw this king of AI in some maps and it's enough to be a pain in the ass to you ^^

After if you want hardcore script AI you will have to do it by yourself

 

[Dr Super Good]

The AI uses abilities independently of if they are custom or not. This an AoE damage ability based off Thunder Clap will be automaticly casted correctly by the AI with no triggering needed. The problem comes from using standard abilities outside of their original targets (eg, storm bolt as a healing ability on allies) or abilities the AI never casts (Death Pact). Only those abilities you need to script into your custom AI.

 

[BloodDrunk]

This an AoE damage ability based off Thunder Clap will be automaticly casted correctly by the AI with no triggering needed.

Yeh I know, but in case he wants the hero to cast the spell even if there's 1 enemy but normally it wouldn't cast if there's no 2 or more.

 

[Karzama]

I've sorted it now and for the record the spells were actually based from Silence!!! Thanks for the help!!

 

[Malhorne]

You're welcome

 

[Karzama]

On second thoughts how would I go about making an AI pick up/sell items? I have a part for them buying things but I am thinking about having items coming out of kills and things. How would I make them pick them up and sell them?

 

[Malhorne]

Check if there is item around them.
To sell, order them to sell their item in position 1/2/3/4/5/6

 

[Karzama]

Ahh cool I'll have a look at that in a bit!! Cheerrss!!

 

[Malhorne]

Good luck

 

[Vinz]

BTW on the AI topic, try looping every 0.11 seconds of game time and increase a counter by 1 every time. Check if the Player[Couter] controller is computer. Most likely you should have an 'AITarget' variable, an arrayed unit for the AI. Check if the target is alive, if it's ok, if it's out of range, enemies nearer than it, etc. Treat it with care so it may kill the target.

Check if the AOE is outnumbered both in long-range and in melee range so it flees in a no-win situation. Give it a counter to specific abilities. For example, somebody casts Impale. Try make the AI dodge it by moving to the left/to the right.

 

[Malhorne]

Infact the game time action is not that efficient :/

 

[Vinz]

Why?

EDIT: Yea of course you have to have support triggers like a Unit is Attacked, Distance between Attacking Unit and Hero less than Distance between Target and Hero, Set Target to Attacking Unit.

 

[Malhorne]

function PolledWait takes real duration returns nothing
    local timer t
    local real  timeRemaining
    if (duration > 0) then
        set t = CreateTimer()
        call TimerStart(t, duration, false, null)
        loop
            set timeRemaining = TimerGetRemaining(t)
            exitwhen timeRemaining <= 0
            // If we have a bit of time left, skip past 10% of the remaining
            // duration instead of checking every interval, to minimize the
            // polling on long waits.
            if (timeRemaining > bj_POLLED_WAIT_SKIP_THRESHOLD) then
                call TriggerSleepAction(0.1 * timeRemaining)
            else
                call TriggerSleepAction(bj_POLLED_WAIT_INTERVAL)
            endif
        endloop
        call DestroyTimer(t)
    endif
endfunction

It is the game time wait.
Better use periodic timer