This mod provides several bug fixes and advanced tactical improvements for the Better Bots mod.
Key Improvements & Version History
Version 51: Cluster-Based Target Assignment & Pressure-Sensitive Reload
Includes all improvements from prior versions.
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Cluster-Based Target Assignment (New "Spatial Clustering" Option):
- K-Means Clustering: When enabled, the system abandons simple random selection. Instead, it analyzes the battlefield to group enemies into tactical "clusters."
- Intelligent Division of Labor: The squad automatically assigns these clusters among themselves. This replaces the previous orientation-based logic, ensuring that bots split their attention to cover multiple enemy groups rather than all focusing on the same area.
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Pressure-Sensitive Reload System:
- Combat Flow Awareness: Bots now continuously calculate a "Team Pressure" score based on nearby enemy density, the presence of special units, and the current health status of their teammates.
- Dynamic Reload Thresholds:
- High Pressure (Heavy Combat): When the team is in danger, bots become extremely reluctant to reload. They will push their magazines to the absolute limit (down to 0%) to maintain suppressing fire.
- Low Pressure (Lulls): During quiet moments, bots will proactively reload even if their magazines are nearly full (up to 85%), ensuring they are topped up and ready for the next assault.
NOTE: The "Spatial Clustering" feature is currently in Beta. While effective, the clustering logic may currently result in weaker fire coverage in specific directions if bot positioning is sub-optimal. I am actively working on a fix for this—your feedback and suggestions are highly welcome!
Version 49: Teamwork & Coordination Overhaul
This version introduces a new "Coordinated Combat" option in the menu. When enabled, bots cease to act as individuals and begin operating as a coordinated tactical unit with a shared intelligence.
- Tactical Target Prioritization:
- Bots actively avoid "overkill" by prioritizing special enemies that are not currently being engaged by other teammates.
- They intelligently assess their own suitability for a target based on their weapon, distance, and angle. For example, a sniper bot will be more likely to engage distant threats, while a shotgun bot will focus on close-quarters enemies.
- The team will dynamically manage how many bots focus fire on a single Bulldozer at once, preventing the entire squad from getting tunnel vision and being flanked.
- Staggered Reloads & Covering Fire:
- To maintain constant pressure on the enemy, bots now coordinate their reloads. A bot will postpone reloading if a teammate is already doing so, ensuring there is no dangerous lull in the team's firepower.
- Dynamic Threat Response & Squad Protection:
- Bots share status information. If a teammate is in immediate danger (e.g., at critical health or being tased), the system flags the aggressor as a high-priority target for the entire squad, prompting a swift, coordinated rescue.
- They will also attempt to cover different angles, creating tactical crossfires and protecting the team's flanks from surprise attacks.
NOTE: Coordinated Combat is an advanced feature under development. It dramatically enhances bot coordination but is undergoing tuning.
Version 48: Stability & Logic Fixes
- Includes all improvements from Version 47.
- Intimidation Blacklist: Bots now remember enemies who have resisted intimidation attempts. After several failed tries, they will "blacklist" that enemy and no longer waste time trying to make them surrender.
- Objective Focus: Fixed an issue where bots carrying bags would sometimes drop them when trying to intimidate an enemy. They will now correctly prioritize keeping hold of the loot.
- Improved Compatibility: Refactored friend-or-foe detection to no longer rely on the slot mask, improving compatibility with other mods that modify enemy types.
- Code Refinements: General code refactoring for better performance, maintainability, and error tolerance.
Version 47: Combat Smarts
- Tactical Grenade Usage: Bots now use concussion grenades more intelligently, throwing them into dense clusters of enemies or to break up groups of Shields and other Specials. Each bot's grenade cooldown is now tracked individually, allowing for more consistent team support.
- Smarter Target Selection: Initial improvements to target prioritization logic, helping bots perform better in high-intensity combat.
- Reload Discipline: Bots are now smarter about when to reload. They will avoid reloading in the middle of a close-quarters firefight, but will proactively top-up their magazines during lulls in combat.
About
You can also find this project on my Github.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment here or file an issue on Github. Have fun!
