Add [B]reak & attack command for autons.

[PM]

This lets a player without targeting program (or time to select a target) command all of his autons to fire at will at enemies in sight.

[RPC]

Seconded.

[sun1404]

Or maybe make new autons that supports this command. They could be special/military grade autons.

[PM]

Why can't existing autons (aside from mule) use Break and Attack? Currently, they are almost useless without targeting program, because [A]ttack only works if you can target objects. Without attack orders, autons do not fire unless the enemy is on top of you, well after fighting starts.

[sun1404]

Well, most autons in the game seems to be defense autons, for civilian use. They should only engage threats to their user, not anything their user tell them to kill. And civilian autons shouldn't be too smart. And it's another difference that makes wingmen better than autons, as they should be.

[digdug]

I would like also the opposite. I have autons that decide to attack a station when I just try to recon it.

I have to quickly tell them to come back in formation or they get destroyed.


I understand that there is a fine equilibrium to find, since there are cases where an auton should defend itself and not blindly follow the player, other times, the auton should just follow the player to get out of trouble.

Maybe autons should always stay in formation and attack only when ordered break and attack ? Giving the player full control of the behaviour will also make them very different from Wingmen, which instead have more freedom.

[PM]

Well, most autons in the game seems to be defense autons, for civilian use. They should only engage threats to their user, not anything their user tell them to kill. And civilian autons shouldn't be too smart. And it's another difference that makes wingmen better than autons, as they should be.

The best defense in many games, including this one, is threat elimination, not soaking damage until you cannot take anymore. Defense autons defend by shooting at something until it disappears. User can already tell autons what things to kill if he has targeting, although doing that for every enemy gets tiring. I find Break and attack more convenient to use, or essential if I have no targeting program. Break and attack is not that complicated. If enemy is on LRS, pick one and kill it. If not, escort ship. Wingmen are already better than autons by having superior equipment and fireRateAdj.

[the_Butler]

I like the break and attack command-

An alternative which probably wouldn't work or is to complicated would be to set the aggresion level of an auton.

Setting "Coward" Doesn't fire, doesn't engage, just runs away or follows the player at full speed.

Setting "Defensive" = Only returns fire, or attacks enemeies within like 15ls or so.

Setting "NERD RAGE" Actively seeks out targets within 50ls or so and pummels them till one or the other is dead.

My Oblivion companion mods generally worked like that.

[PM]

During my last turn on Succession #6, I found myself pressing [T] then [A] for *every* enemy along the way. This is unfriendly UI. Please add reak & Attack for autons.

[FourFire]

Thirded: I want reak & attack for autons too.

[sun1404]

After trying the auton bay, I guess we really need Break and Attack for autons. At least for some of them.