aliens

Author Topic: Enemy statistics should be a bit random?  (Read 4952 times)

Offline Omegan

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Enemy statistics should be a bit random?
« on: February 20, 2014, 10:43:10 am »
I've been noticed most aliens are have exact statistic with same class and same race.

For example Ethereal --> ufopedia tell us (https://www.ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=Ethereal):
Ethereal / Statistics (original X-Com) can be:
TUs:               68-79
Health:            55
Energy:            96-111
Reactions:         75-93
Strength:          48-52
Bravery:           80
Firing Accuracy:   37-92
Throwing Accuracy: 80
Psi Skill:         40-46, 45-52, 50-58
Psi Strength:      50-58, 60-70, 65-75

And now file Xcom1Ruleset.rul in OXC:
Ethereal / Statistics ONLY can be:
  - type: STR_ETHEREAL_SOLDIER
    race: STR_ETHEREAL
    rank: STR_LIVE_SOLDIER
    stats:
      tu: 68
      stamina: 96
      health: 55
      bravery: 80
      reactions: 75
      firing: 74
      throwing: 80
      strength: 48
      psiStrength: 50
      psiSkill: 40
      melee: 85


Suggestion:
Alien's statistics should be also a bit random in OXC (like it happen with stats of the rookie soldiers that you are just hired):

Final alien stat(i) = Core alien stat(i) + Random[0%..Max_stat_random_increment(i)%] (but except: health; bravery; throw accuracy)
Max_stat_random_increment, % - value that should be depend of stat, like for some it is 8%, for some it is 10% and for some it is (like Firing Accuracy = F.A.) 148%, etc.

* NOTICE1: In original X-Com Ethereal F.A. could be 37-92, it is mean game engine use formula 37 + Random[0%..148%], so on the missions some Ethereals are miss too much (their F.A. are too low) and some can hit the mark (their F.A. is normal or high). In OXC ALL Ethereal's soldiers are sorta snipers (F.A. = 74, and as i said that value is fixed for any Ethereal soldier).
* NOTICE2: Ethereal race is just an example, the same (fixed stats) with other alien races too.

Explanation (why):
I think in that case the fight will be more natural, that some aliens (same class, same race) are weaker and some are stronger. That will be bring some randomness (luck chance in battle) and as a result more passion to the tactics part of the game (like that was in original X-Com).
« Last Edit: February 20, 2014, 11:15:11 am by Omegan »

Offline Warboy1982

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Re: Enemy statistics should be a bit random?
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2014, 11:06:36 am »
Final alien stat(i) = Core alien stat(i) + Random[0%..Max_stat_random_increment(i)%] (but except: health; bravery; throw accuracy)
Max_stat_random_increment, % - value that should be depend of stat, like for some it is 8%,0 for some it is 10% and for some it is (like Firing Accuracy = F.A.) 148%, etc.
* NOTICE: In original X-Com Ethereal F.A. could be 37-92, it is mean game engine use formula 37 + Random[0%..148%], instead of this in OXC ALL Ethereal's soldiers are sorta snipers (F.A. = 74).

nonsense. i have no idea what your source is on this. you're completely misinterpreting the table.

all the stats are based on difficulty. the ranges you see here are accounting for THAT variance, not some random element.
on beginner, firing accuracy is base stat /2, on superhuman it's base stat + 24%

i don't mean to sound like an ass, but a little more research on alien stats would have gone a long way here.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2014, 11:09:17 am by Warboy1982 »

Offline Sean Mirrsen

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Re: Enemy statistics should be a bit random?
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2014, 11:16:31 am »
nonsense. i have no idea what your source is on this. you're completely misinterpreting the table.

all the stats are based on difficulty. the ranges you see here are accounting for THAT variance, not some random element.
on beginner, firing accuracy is base stat /2, on superhuman it's base stat + 24%

i don't mean to sound like an ass, but a little more research on alien stats would have gone a long way here.
That said, your rookies start out statted at random.

Would it not be interesting to throw potential curveballs at players, on higher difficulties especially? Make an option for randomized alien stats, so they start with plus-minus a percentage of their normal stats, determined by difficulty? So that on Beginner you'd see aliens with 80%-100% of their level-appropriate stats, while on Superhuman you'd see something like 95%-120%. Not replacing the difficulty-defined stat amounts, but modifying them when Battlescape starts, so you might face a few tougher or weaker opponents.

Offline Omegan

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Re: Enemy statistics should be a bit random?
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2014, 11:45:24 am »
nonsense. i have no idea what your source is on this. you're completely misinterpreting the table.

all the stats are based on difficulty. the ranges you see here are accounting for THAT variance, not some random element.
on beginner, firing accuracy is base stat /2, on superhuman it's base stat + 24%

i don't mean to sound like an ass, but a little more research on alien stats would have gone a long way here.

You not an ass, just I was really wrong about it. I was played different difficulties and noticed that stats were also different, but didn't knew before about that equation. Now it is more clear for me.  ???

Ethereal Soldier (example with F.A.):
SLM = 0 (Beginner), F.A. Skill Value = INT(74 /2 * (100 + (6 * 0)) / 100) = 37
SLM = 1 (Experienced), F.A. Skill Value = INT(74 * (100 + (6 * 1)) / 100) = 78
SLM = 2 (Veteran), F.A. Skill Value = INT(74 * (100 + (6 * 2)) / 100) = 82
SLM = 3 (Genius), F.A. Skill Value = INT(74 * (100 + (6 * 3)) / 100) = 87
SLM = 4 (Superhuman), F.A. Skill Value = INT(74 * (100 + (6 * 4)) / 100) = 91

Thanks.  :)

But i'm still wandering how fight in the mission will be changed, if aliens will had a bit random stats (for example with random increment -8% to +8% ):
Skill Value = INT(Core Value * (100 + (Percentage * SLM)) / 100 * (1 + Random[-8 ; 8]/100))
« Last Edit: February 20, 2014, 12:08:26 pm by Omegan »

Offline Solarius Scorch

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Re: Enemy statistics should be a bit random?
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2014, 04:10:02 pm »
If we ever have a random system for aliens as well, I believe it would have to come with a general overhaul of aliens, including their weaponry. Right now we have a simple yet effective system of three loadout "levels" (usually pistol, rifle or heavy plasma), and an elaborate dice system for alien stats seems to run against this as overly elaborate. It's a matter of elegance really.

Offline yrizoud

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Re: Enemy statistics should be a bit random?
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2014, 05:51:51 pm »
A small variation in firing accuracy will be completely unnoticeable, because aliens typically don't take many shots.