The Heretic Fortress Version 5.0

Bot Behavior

by Chris Burke (excerpt)

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When the light respawns or the warmup timer expires, someone should pick up the light (regardless of what other orders they have). Bots near death should not try to pick up light.
When carrying the light, take it to the fortress unless warned that the fortress is not safe
Rogues are least likely to take light, most likely to try to steal enemy light
About half the bots should escort the light-bearer, and about half should attack / defend the fortress
Base rush only occasionally to avoid upsetting real players
Follow someone else only if order given
Rogues steal light whenever they have opportunity and not carrying the light themselves (seek-steal)
All bots kill enemy light bearers whenever they have opportunity (seek-kill on sight) unless they are carrying light themselves
Beg for power-ups when needed (rate-limited)
Power up teammates only if they’re nearby, and it doesn’t interfere with imminent killing a light-bearer, stealing the light, scoring, or self-defense
Pick up mana and ammo if you need it, you’re running a route (not at goal), and it’s no more than 3 nodes away.

If picking up the light:
- Attack (seek-kill) enemies in own team’s base (base rushers) and any enemy Rogues who approach; ignore other attackers (no self-defense).
- Power-up teammates if the cost from them to the light shrine is not more than X greater than the current cost to the light shrine.
- When ammo or mana needed, pick only sources for which cost to light shrine is not more than X greater than the current cost to the light shrine.
- If near death, do not pick up light – kill self or let an enemy attack or cancel and tell some other bot to get light.

If taking the light to the fortress:
- Power-up teammates if the cost from them to the goal shrine is not more than X greater than the current cost to the goal shrine
- When ammo or mana needed, pick only sources for which cost to goal shrine is not more than X greater than the current cost to the goal shrine, that are not heavily guarded by enemies.
- Kill enemies who are closer to the goal shrine than you are, or who are in melee range, or who are rogues; attack / defend only, no seek-kills or chasing (even if using blade); ignore other enemies.

If defending the fortress:
- If at goal, pick up mana and ammo if you really need it, have no blade weapon, and no other teammate is in view.
- If at goal, pick up mana and ammo if you need it and a teammate is in view (take turns – ideally check with teammates in view and do a “cover me” or “wait” or equivalent).
- Rob or attack any enemy entering area but break off attack to attack enemy light-bearer, or to allow own team to score, or to attack enemy rogue if own team’s light-bearer is visible. (take turns – ideally check with teammates in view, decide who will attack first, and hold off attack until teaammate is out of ammo).
- Power up teammates who ask, but only if not attacking an enemy light bearer about to score, and only if within 3 nodes ::but:: always power up own team’s light-bearer if he asks.

Drop defensive weapons (whirlwinds, fires) at goal shrine

If base-rushing:
- Attack any enemy on sight, especially enemy light-bearers and enemy rogues.
- Drop defensive weapons (whirlwinds, fires) at light shrines and mana shrines in enemy base.
- Power-up any teammate who asks.
- Get ammo or mana whenever needed, from closest source.

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