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B4. Practical Use of 'AutoAbilityBehavior' for the AI controlled unit.

Now, here is one example, using Faramir, to show how the 'AutoAbilityBehavior' (from A1) can be put to use for an AI controlled unit (from B1), without forcing the human player controlling this unit to also be subject to the auto-triggering traits of this module.

EXAMPLE:

The 'usual' code to be used when you want a unit like a hero to use it's special powers is the 'AISpecialPowerUpdate'. The following piece is simple yet limiting.
              

Code

Behavior = AISpecialPowerUpdate SpecialWoundingArrow     CommandButtonName = Command_SpecialAbilityWoundArrow     SpecialPowerAIType = AI_SPECIAL_POWER_ENEMY_TYPE_KILLER End

The problem with this is the fact the rather 'wild' AI uses this at the most inopportune times, like when mounted or with a sword in hand. There are obviously no animations going to play when mounted, and you don't want the AI to use stuff that the unit should not be allowed to use.
So we better use something (the 'AutoAbilityBehavior') to make the AI conform to all the usual limitations. The way to achieve this is to duplicate the power involved, but make it only available to the AI, while removing the AI's ability to use the normal power.

Step 1: The SpecialPower
- First, we need a carbon copy of this power:
              

Code

SpecialPower SpecialAbilityWoundArrow     Enum = SPECIAL_WOUND_ARROW     ReloadTime = 30000 ; in milliseconds     InitiateAtLocationSound = GenericSpell     ObjectFilter = ALL -STRUCTURE -BASE_FOUNDATION -INERT -IGNORED_IN_GUI -WALK_ON_TOP_OF_WALL -BLOCKING_GATE -WALL_UPGRADE -UNATTACKABLE -MOVE_ONLY End

- it will look like this (identical except for the name):
              

Code

SpecialPower SpecialAbilityWoundArrow_AI     Enum = SPECIAL_WOUND_ARROW     ReloadTime = 30000 ; in milliseconds     InitiateAtLocationSound = GenericSpell     ObjectFilter = ALL -STRUCTURE -BASE_FOUNDATION -INERT -IGNORED_IN_GUI -WALK_ON_TOP_OF_WALL -BLOCKING_GATE -WALL_UPGRADE -UNATTACKABLE -MOVE_ONLY End

Step 2: The Ability Code
- Next we adjust the following (original) code ...
              

Code

Behavior = UnpauseSpecialPowerUpgrade ModuleTag_UnpauseWoundArrow     SpecialPowerTemplate = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow     TriggeredBy = Upgrade_ObjectLevel2 End Behavior = SpecialPowerModule ModuleTag_WoundArrow     SpecialPowerTemplate = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow     UpdateModuleStartsAttack    = Yes     InitiateSound = FaramirRangerVoiceWoundingArrow     StartsPaused = Yes End Behavior = WeaponFireSpecialAbilityUpdate ModuleTag_WoundArrowUpdate     SpecialPowerTemplate = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow     SkipContinue = Yes     UnpackTime = 2000     PreparationTime = 1     PersistentPrepTime = 1000     PackTime = 1     AwardXPForTriggering = 0     StartAbilityRange = #SUBTRACT( FARAMIR_WOUNDING_ARROW_RANGE 25 )     ApproachRequiresLOS = Yes     SpecialWeapon = FaramirWoundArrow     WhichSpecialWeapon = 1 End Behavior = AutoAbilityBehavior ModuleTag_WoundArrowAutoAbility     SpecialAbility = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow     MaxScanRange = #SUBTRACT( FARAMIR_WOUNDING_ARROW_RANGE 25 )     Query = 1 ALL ENEMIES -STRUCTURE End

... by making it unavailable to the AI:
              

Code

Behavior = UnpauseSpecialPowerUpgrade ModuleTag_UnpauseWoundArrow     SpecialPowerTemplate = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow     TriggeredBy = Upgrade_ObjectLevel2     ConflictsWith    = Upgrade_ObjectUnderAIControl End ...

The AI will use a new set of behaviors, identical but for the name of the SpecialPower used and with unique tags and a unique trigger:
              

Code

Behavior = UnpauseSpecialPowerUpgrade ModuleTag_UnpauseWoundArrow_AI     SpecialPowerTemplate = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow_AI     TriggeredBy = Upgrade_ObjectLevel2 Upgrade_ObjectUnderAIControl     RequiresAllTriggers = Yes End Behavior = SpecialPowerModule ModuleTag_WoundArrow_AI     SpecialPowerTemplate = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow_AI     UpdateModuleStartsAttack = Yes     InitiateSound = FaramirRangerVoiceWoundingArrow     StartsPaused = Yes End Behavior = WeaponFireSpecialAbilityUpdate ModuleTag_WoundArrowUpdate_AI     SpecialPowerTemplate = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow_AI     SkipContinue = Yes     UnpackTime = 2000     PreparationTime = 1     PersistentPrepTime = 1000     PackTime = 1     AwardXPForTriggering = 0     StartAbilityRange = #SUBTRACT( FARAMIR_WOUNDING_ARROW_RANGE 25 )     ApproachRequiresLOS = Yes     SpecialWeapon = FaramirWoundArrow     WhichSpecialWeapon = 1 End Behavior = AutoAbilityBehavior ModuleTag_WoundArrowAutoAbility_AI     SpecialAbility = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow_AI     StartsActive = Yes     MaxScanRange = #SUBTRACT( FARAMIR_WOUNDING_ARROW_RANGE 25 )     Query = 1 ANY +HERO +MONSTER +BIG_MONSTER ENEMIES End

The differences are ...
              

Code

Behavior = UnpauseSpecialPowerUpgrade ModuleTag_UnpauseWoundArrow_AI     SpecialPowerTemplate = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow_AI     TriggeredBy = Upgrade_ObjectLevel2 Upgrade_ObjectUnderAIControl     RequiresAllTriggers = Yes End ...

... and ...
              

Code

... Behavior = AutoAbilityBehavior ModuleTag_WoundArrowAutoAbility_AI     SpecialAbility = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow_AI     StartsActive = Yes     MaxScanRange = #SUBTRACT( FARAMIR_WOUNDING_ARROW_RANGE 25 )     Query = 1 ANY +HERO +MONSTER +BIG_MONSTER ENEMIES End

The module 'AutoAbilityBehavior' is much more flexible when it comes to target acquisition. What i would like Faramir to do is use this power only on heroes and monster.
So i changed the query line to something i liked better. But you can insert any KindOf you can think of

Okay. So, even though the module 'AutoAbilityBehavior' references a SpecialPower, it actually runs from a CommandButton and is thus subject to all the CommandButton's restrictions and limitations (see below).
Since we are using a new SpecialPower, the AI-only ability will need it's own CommandButton. I made one for you:
              

Code

CommandButton Command_SpecialAbilityWoundArrow_AI     Command = SPECIAL_POWER     WeaponSlot = SECONDARY     SpecialPower = SpecialAbilityWoundArrow_AI     Options = NEED_TARGET_ENEMY_OBJECT UNMOUNTED_ONLY     TextLabel = CONTROLBAR:WoundingArrow     ButtonImage = HSFaramirWoundingArrow     CursorName = Bombard     InvalidCursorName = GenericInvalid     ButtonBorderType = ACTION     DescriptLabel = CONTROLBAR:ToolTipWoundingArrow     InPalantir = Yes     AutoAbility = Yes     DisableOnModelCondition = WEAPONSET_TOGGLE_1 ;disable if currently using sword End

The line 'AutoAbility = Yes' is obviously of vital importance for the AutoAbilityBehavior to work at all. So remember to add it if you are duplicating CommandButtons that originally didn't have it!

Now the new CommandButton needs to be added to his CommandSet, like this:
              

Code

CommandSet GondorFaramirCommandSet     1 = Command_ToggleStance     2 = Command_ToggleFaramirWeapon     3 = Command_SpecialAbilityWoundArrow     4 = Command_ToggleMounted     5 = Command_FaramirFakeLeadershipButton     6 = Command_SpecialAbilityCaptainOfGondor     7 = Command_SpecialAbilityWoundArrow_AI     12 = Command_CaptureBuilding     13 = Command_AttackMove     14 = Command_Stop End

Yes, it will be invisible to the player.
One important sidenote. As already noted on previous pages, a unit may have several CommandSets, for being mounted, for having a certain upgrade, etc. just to be save that the behavior 'grips'. The new button should be present on ALL OF THEM!
The human player cannot use it anyway (they are missing the AI-upgrade), and the AI can't use it when it is not suitable anyway, because of the CommandButton's limitations (aye, they work now!):
              

Code

... Options = NEED_TARGET_ENEMY_OBJECT UNMOUNTED_ONLY ... DisableOnModelCondition = WEAPONSET_TOGGLE_1 ;disable if currently using sword

Thank you for reading this far. This concludes the lesson for today.
More is to come about creating different AI strategies and an in-depth look in how the AI prioritizes it's spending of cash.
Good day!

Sûlherokhh.
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