The companion feature was good addon but lack of polish i would say so why not drop some tweaks and suggestions with the Companion AI in later patches.
Here are future companion addon ideas should there be another update for our bots on the next roadmap
Future Modules some can be free, others can be DLC. These suggestions are better off both free and DLC depending on how they will work in game tests.
I’m sure many of us fellow players would like to give our partner some specific actions other than fighting the nearest or most threatened target or sometimes the least threatening one that you dont want it to waste time with it and prioritize fighting fight baddies and let their basic AI code do the work.
Putting up commands and some specific depending on the modules they are equipped with makes things a little easier for the AI to be effective rather than moving around on weird spots or too close where they easily get knocked out against bigger bots.
The basic commands for all types:
-Follow & Stop
-Go to that spot (pointed by the cursor), will not move until a new command outside the ATTACK SPECIFIC TARGET command is given.
-Attack a specific target (Cursor pointed)
-Holding a certain key will command the AI to disengage (or shoot on the move) and regroup with the player (Hold the REGROUP command key to recall)
-Diversion/Covering fire where the bot will grab the attention of your enemies if you are pinned down or very low on HP
Scout:
-We definitely need a command that can hold fire, find the closest bush or cover and auto scouts any target within range should the Detection meter be applied to our AI as well. If there is no cover in an open field it will just stand still or get abit closer for it to scout targets but will not engage.
-If there was a command combo such as Combining “Stand on this spot” command and hold fire and leave it to “SCOUT ONLY” that might be nice on setting up an ambush.
Scavenger:
-Scavenge that specific dead body (just hope the RAGDOLL feature wont let it fly too far.)
Medic:
-You can command the bot to urgently heal a player that is too far from you and ran out of meds to heal themselves.
-You can use the same function as the BASE MEDICAL TENT where the bot can be stationary healing station with a small circle for players to heal outside of combat area or behind tall cover (best hiding behind a building)
The command UI is all up to the people to decide,
Either the good old Z,X,C commands like those from Counter Strike or you prefer using the CIRCLE TAB (like that from the emotion tab)
Quick commands/hotkeys should also be applied if the command box would take too long to even send an order and wanted a quick & specific for your partner in the middle of a fight
Future companion ideas should there be another update for our bots on the next roadmap
Future Modules some can be free others can be DLC (again)
Mobile cover/Tanker: Can take the role of a Tank for its weight class with double the armor (more armor slots) and some deployable panels (replenish the make shift cover from the Tactical Equipment) for the player to stick with when command to be stationary with its weapon (like that of a Defense bunker from the base)
Remote Controlled: Basic Runner can also be a controlled scout or blend among a swarm of bots on certain areas, vision modules that were often used for binos and gun scopes will be attached to its optics. But you can also control its weapons like a mobile gun but you are out of their line of sight when in combat and will only target your companion. (“Entering combat” font should be changed to something metal or mechanical style indicating that your partner is now in a battle but not your physical self)
Should there be a range to balance it out aside from low durability, I would say the range would be the length of the airfield runway at max.
Artillery: Bots with indirect fire capabilities will often stay away from the front line and make use of their mortar but it can be direct fire when ordered to fight a specific target. (Separate a command that does direct and indirect along with quick command)
Sniper: Sharpshooter but on a Runner Chassis? Plausible but might trade off with the lowest of HPs, default caliber would be a 50 cal punchy but slow ROF, For faster rate of fire they will require some gun parts or change the caliber to something smaller which is lesser damage but better fire rate against a swarm.
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New chassis?
If there was a new bot chassis as our partner the candidate that would fit the Runner’s weight class would be the Soviet Lynx All role modules from the Runner will be passed on to the Lynx.
I’m not sure what to do next should the AI companion would expand to bigger bots such as Harvester and Tank including a potential new faction from USA or Germany in future new island updates.
If there ever was a Hunter that can be your partner:
Pyromaniac: armed with a Flamethrower for CQC all Pyro equipment but comes with a basic fire resistant armor
Sharpshooter: armed with a 50 cal sniper for long to mid range with SMG for CQC and of course the arm sword for melee. (Might need a new animation for swinging instead of leaping and dropping the sword onto a target from above)
Charger: Being a fast armored bull that just rag dolls your enemies once they set their sights on it by command (the red laser like that of the sniper or rocket bot) but does not kill them one shot, ineffective against giants like Harvester and Tank
Demolition Bot: Armed with grenade launchers and short burst rocket pod but prone to friendly fire when you are in the middle of a swarm of enemies running around them. Can do indirect fire control when needed.
Heavy weapons: Just a Hunter with guns thats almost equal of the Wolf’s minigun (no sword but can use its arm guns to do blunt attacks in CQC)
-Has a command that does LONG BURST on a specific target for 3-5 seconds before it overheats (need a visual detail that the barrels are RED HOT after firing)
