R'lyeh Star Child - Communion Junkie?

JaydedOne · #1 March 26th, 2004, 04:17 PM

I'm not sure if this was just an unlucky run of circumstances with a bad batch of Star Children (I keep telling them not to go skinny-dipping in Hastur's pond, but do they listen?) or if it's something that can be worked around in the AI, but I had about four different Star Child assassins Last night enter combat go through their usual Twist Fate, Astral Shield routines and then proceed to... Communion Master?

But the really neat point was that they then turned right around and cast Communion Slave on top of it. I take it there's no toggle that tells the AI not to cast one if it casts the other? And that it also doesn't recognize when it's alone and therefore unlikely to benefit from either? Or is there a benefit to it doing that?

I realize that I can avoid this by scripting but I was sort of playing with the AI, watching its habits and trying to pick up a few pointers, and was stunned to see this happen. I can't promise it's reproduceable (and actually sort of hope it isn't) as I just discovered this Last night in my first real run of playing R'lyeh. I'll go back either tonight or Monday and see if it happens more.

Maybe Star Children just really like talking to themselves?

Peter Ebbesen · #2 March 26th, 2004, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Miguel Duran:
I realize that I can avoid this by scripting

Unfortunately, you cannot. You can only prevent them from this particular form of idiocy the first five rounds of combat. After that, anything goes. And yes, the Star Children must have been dropped on the head.

AhhhFresh · #3 March 26th, 2004, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Miguel Duran:
I'm not sure if this was just an unlucky run of circumstances with a bad batch of Star Children (I keep telling them not to go skinny-dipping in Hastur's pond, but do they listen?) or if it's something that can be worked around in the AI, but I had about four different Star Child assassins Last night enter combat go through their usual Twist Fate, Astral Shield routines and then proceed to... Communion Master?

But the really neat point was that they then turned right around and cast Communion Slave on top of it. I take it there's no toggle that tells the AI not to cast one if it casts the other? And that it also doesn't recognize when it's alone and therefore unlikely to benefit from either? Or is there a benefit to it doing that?

I realize that I can avoid this by scripting but I was sort of playing with the AI, watching its habits and trying to pick up a few pointers, and was stunned to see this happen. I can't promise it's reproduceable (and actually sort of hope it isn't) as I just discovered this Last night in my first real run of playing R'lyeh. I'll go back either tonight or Monday and see if it happens more.

Maybe Star Children just really like talking to themselves?

Yeah, Peter is right... they've only got 1 astral, but boy oh boy do they like to use it.

You should really only be scripting them to "Fire" though for assasination attempts... otherwise they are complete and utter toast.

Mind bLast is a missle weapon and it the entire reason they are so effective.

When you're enemy is paralyzed, it doesn't matter whether you're a total pansy with a dagger that has trouble cutting paper.

JaydedOne · #4 March 26th, 2004, 05:31 PM

What sort of script seems to be most advantageous? I generally set him in a back corner of the field, throw up an Astral Shield and then just go to four "Fire" commands, figuring he'll either be in melee or have the opportunity to spell up during the paralysis that ensues. Should I not even bother with the Shield and fire away? Generally I find that it takes most commanders (w/o flying -- which seems to hose Star Children) two or three turns to get there, so perhaps that initial Shield is too costly.

Hm. Now to go searching for a thread that shows off good early/mid/late-stage assassin gear or to start one if I can't seem to track one down.

AhhhFresh · #5 March 26th, 2004, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Miguel Duran:
What sort of script seems to be most advantageous? I generally set him in a back corner of the field, throw up an Astral Shield and then just go to four "Fire" commands, figuring he'll either be in melee or have the opportunity to spell up during the paralysis that ensues. Should I not even bother with the Shield and fire away? Generally I find that it takes most commanders (w/o flying -- which seems to hose Star Children) two or three turns to get there, so perhaps that initial Shield is too costly.

Hm. Now to go searching for a thread that shows off good early/mid/late-stage assassin gear or to start one if I can't seem to track one down.

I've experimented a lot with scripting with the unequiped Version...

My personal opinion is that if the commander gets into melee range, you lose. No astral 1 spell is worth the lost chance at a mind bLast sticking. Knights and Mages with more than 1 body guard are the only regular independent commanders that pose any threat to simply putting them in the back and scripting "Fire Closest"

Equipment wise, the Boots of Quickness and Spell Focus are both at Con 6 and piece of cake for R'lyeh to churn out... the quickness means double your mind bLasting fun, and the spell focus means you might even be able to stun a Neifel in drain 3... but probably not.

There is other stuff that would be great (Lifelong Protection) but the effort is probably not worth it for an 85 gold star child.

AhhhFresh · #6 March 26th, 2004, 06:56 PM

Oh, but one thing that's fun to do is...
Research Construction 6, and Thaumaturgy 5...

Starchild with:
Rune Smasher (10 Water and 10 Fire Gems)
Starshine Cap (10 Astral Pearls)
Boots of Quickness (10 Water)
Spell Focus(5 Astral)
Ring of Sorcery(40 Astral)

Then (Soul Slay) x 5

I don't think it's a very practical way to go (45 Astral, 20 Water, 10 Fire gems)... pretty damn expensive for a mere assasin... who will fall over in a stiff breeze... and only works against living commanders/bodyguards... but the puffs of blood sure do come fast and furious!

Taqwus · #7 March 26th, 2004, 10:55 PM

Does a spell focus really affect an inherent Mind BLast attack?

AhhhFresh · #8 March 26th, 2004, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taqwus:
Does a spell focus really affect an inherent Mind BLast attack?

Well, the description says that MR resists it... I and others are under the impression that MR penetration would affect it... but I guess technically it is a "weapon", not a spell... so I dunno.

EDIT: From my experience, it sure seems to have an impact, but that could be me seeing what I want to see..

[ March 26, 2004, 22:16: Message edited by: AhhhFresh ]