Stop alien scatter?

[firsTraveler]

Is there a way to edit the .ini game files so that when aliens are "surprised" the don't scatter or that they panic or something? If they sit on their buts during an XCOM attack they deserve what they get , not to move to optimal defense/offence position.

 

 

I found a line that is supposed to change the percentage of the time they patrol but setting it to 1 or 99 seems to make no difference.

[tracktwo]

No, scatter is not controlled by the ini. The patrol value is something else (the chances that a pod will sit in the same spot vs move around the map before being activated, IIRC). Changing this behavior would need hex mods.

[firsTraveler]

I can't see any significant change moving/stationary behavior by the aliens.

[dubiousintent]

I can't see any significant change moving/stationary behavior by the aliens.

Unless you are using one of the console "debug" modes, you won't see such behavior because it occurs while they are hidden from your view (i.e before contact). Once you make contact with a pod the behavior changes in response, which is controlled by a different set of AI rules. This was worked out in one of the "R&D" threads in the Mod Talk forum.

 

This is assuming you are NOT asking about the "scatter" cut scene when you first make contact with/"reveal" a pod. That can be disabled, but is considered a "cheat" as it makes it too easy to catch them in the open. If that is what you want, see the DIY wiki article.

 

-Dubious-

Edited January 11, 2016 by dubiousintent

[firsTraveler]

How is catching the enemy napping a "cheat"?

[dubiousintent]

First of all, play the game the way you want. There are no "game police" coming to arrest you for circumventing the designer's intentions. The idea is to enjoy yourself. That IS the whole point of modding. Only if you are going to begin boasting about your prowess with the game compared to others is playing with a different set of circumstances "cheating". The playing field in not level in that case.

 

As to the perception of "cheating", I would suggest it is because there is no random element to it. It's either "they always scatter" or "they are always surprised in the open". The game AI is always considered at a disadvantage to a player, so biasing the results in it's favor is felt necessary to compensate.

 

The military holds that those moving into contact with a positioned and stationary opposition are the ones at the disadvantage. That's why they are called "ambushes". Two moving forces coming into contact are a "meeting engagement", and both sides usually duck into cover with no advantage except terrain, training being equal.

 

In this game, this situation is a "meeting engagement" and about the only way you can simulate that in a turn-based system is to allow the second moving player to react before resolving the fight. To me at least, that is what the "Scatter" cut-scene provides.

 

A mod to make it random as to whether or not you "catch them napping" would be a fair solution, but most likely much more trouble than the effort is worth. It's such a small element of the overall game.

 

-Dubious-

Edited January 14, 2016 by dubiousintent

[firsTraveler]

I love the idea that the aliens are at a disadvantage. A few of my favorite examples:

 

sectoid with 1 health and shredded has a 99% chance of hitting a xcom unit in full cover from half way across the map

outsiders have 5 heal, opportunist , close-combat, and free reload or maybe just endless ammo

No budget worries

[gray1ghost]

Other than the Second Wave option Itchy Tenticle (which allows aliens a chance to fire instead of scattering)

I do not think there is much you can do to chance their reaction to spotting you.

 

You can however set the distance by alien type that your soldiers can be spotted.

 

Play around with the sightradius under charactertype to find something you are happy/comfortable with.

 

You may also want to look at the Weapons irange (Both in the DefaultGameCore.ini).

Just be careful not to make yourself too OP.

 

Again this will not change how they react once they spot you, instead allows you more of a chance to maneuver for potential ambushes.

[firsTraveler]

Well someone made a mod that does this (it's in the Workshop). There's also an attempt at making the whole AI better, I been playing it and it helps some; but without access to the core programing I don't see that getting much better. Maybe LW Studios will be given a crack at it, or the next DLC will improve things.

[dubiousintent]

Well someone made a mod that does this (it's in the Workshop). There's also an attempt at making the whole AI better, I been playing it and it helps some; but without access to the core programing I don't see that getting much better. Maybe LW Studios will be given a crack at it, or the next DLC will improve things.

 

That's a good tip. But it would be better if it included the link or at least a name for the mod.

 

-Dubious-