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Starsector 0.97a is out! (02/02/24); New blog post: Simulator Enhancements (03/13/24)

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Author Topic: rename Escort order to Protect  (Read 5757 times)

Wyvern

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Re: rename Escort order to Protect
« Reply #15 on: August 10, 2018, 08:57:49 AM »

Ah, that'd make for a third variation on 'escort'.

So, what are we up to now?

Protect: current escort behavior; stay close and try to shield the protected ship from attacks.
Formation: stay nearby & out of the formation leader's way but do your own thing.
Support: as formation but try to focus fire on the supported ship's target.

That said, I suggested the version I tagged as 'Formation' above because I suspect it's the easiest option to get the AI to actually do; aside from the "stay out of the formation leader's way" bit, it's effectively the existing "rally task force" command, just with a mobile target location rather than a fixed one.
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Megas

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Re: rename Escort order to Protect
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2018, 10:50:08 AM »

When I want to Escort a combatant, I generally want either Wyvern's "Formation" or "Support", which the AI does not do.  The only time I want "Protect" is if I want to Escort a backline unit, like a dedicated carrier or a civilian with a special hullmod, that was ordered to rally at a point.

I guess there is Eliminate to focus-fire, but ships tend to be easily distracted and wander halfway across the map to chase a stupid enemy frigate sometimes.

Arcade games with escorts, options, or satellites tend to "Support" your ship.  Think Gradius options or Galaga's double ship.
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Wyvern

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Re: rename Escort order to Protect
« Reply #17 on: August 10, 2018, 01:25:16 PM »

Oh, I guess there's another escort-type behavior I'd love to have that the current AI can't do.  Specifically, I'd like to be able to take a frigate or destroyer, and set it to follow along behind an Onslaught, specifically to chase off annoying frigates trying to get into the Onslaught's tailpipes.  In this role, it doesn't even need to go for kills or anything - just push up flux on targets and make them back off.

This is one of the things that makes the Legion a bit more appealing to fly than an Onslaught - even if you've just got talons for your fighters, you can set them on things that try to come up behind you.  (Well, that, and the Legion's firing arcs are a bit less awkward.)
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TaLaR

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Re: rename Escort order to Protect
« Reply #18 on: August 10, 2018, 01:44:31 PM »

Oh, I guess there's another escort-type behavior I'd love to have that the current AI can't do.  Specifically, I'd like to be able to take a frigate or destroyer, and set it to follow along behind an Onslaught, specifically to chase off annoying frigates trying to get into the Onslaught's tailpipes.  In this role, it doesn't even need to go for kills or anything - just push up flux on targets and make them back off.

Yeah, a frigate doing this intentionally and methodically would be quite a powerful move. Should be enough to counter a DE or pair of frigate attackers easily.
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SafariJohn

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Re: rename Escort order to Protect
« Reply #19 on: August 10, 2018, 07:23:53 PM »

Something really annoying is I've had a case where I wanted an Enforcer to escort another ship exactly as the command functions, but it kept burn driving far away from what I wanted it to protect. The one time I actually had a use for the command as-is and a ship system subverts it. :-\
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Midnight Kitsune

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Re: rename Escort order to Protect
« Reply #20 on: August 11, 2018, 06:38:52 AM »

Something really annoying is I've had a case where I wanted an Enforcer to escort another ship exactly as the command functions, but it kept burn driving far away from what I wanted it to protect. The one time I actually had a use for the command as-is and a ship system subverts it. :-\
I've had similar issues where AIs chase the enemies half way across the battlefield, all the while on a defend or an assault order
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