Tactics
Smarter unit AI: all units focus ranged enemies first, short-range units never kite, ranged units fire-then-retreat, spread targeting, spacing, early fire, map clamp, friendly-fire avoidance, no cowar
About this mod Author’s original text
Tactics
Makes TABS units fight smarter. Every feature is independent and configurable.
Features
- Focus ranged units — Ranged units have their targeting priority multiplied by 1.33, so every attacker on the field (melee, ranged, vanilla targeting included) prefers enemy ranged units first.
- Spread targeting — Melee units prefer enemies that fewer allies are already attacking.
- Spacing & obstacle avoidance — While approaching, units keep a small gap and sidestep around blockers; once engaged they close ranks and fight.
- Extended fire range — Ranged units open fire at 1.5x range but only stand still inside normal range.
- Tactical kiting — Ranged units (weapon range >= 10m, no melee sidearm) fire first, then retreat only while their weapon reloads and an enemy is within range:
- The flee trigger never exceeds the attack range, so units no longer run from enemies they cannot shoot
- Turn in place, then run to a validated safe spot (0.5x range behind them, ground-checked — no cliff dives)
- Turn back, wait 1s, hold the firing stance for 1.5s (covers attack windup), then re-judge
- Horses, raptors, chariots and their riders are completely unaffected
- Map bounds — Destinations are clamped inside the map circle (0.5m margin).
- Friendly-fire avoidance — Ranged units hold fire and strafe to a clear position when a friendly blocks the firing line.
- Spread rebalance — Added spread = 3 x (10 / weapon range) in quadrature: long-range units stay accurate, short-range throwers get a proper penalty.
- No coward penalty — The vanilla mechanic that makes shooters inaccurate with longer cooldown when enemies close in is removed.
- 5x turn speed — Units rotate five times faster (mounts and riders keep vanilla turning).
Install
- Install BepInExPack_TABS
- Install this mod with a mod manager, or drop the dll into BepInEx/plugins/
- Launch the game
Config
After first launch: BepInEx/config/local.smarterai.cfg — every feature and number is tunable.
Changelog
2.1.0
- Initial release
- All units prioritize enemy ranged units (4x target priority)
- Ranged units fire before retreating; flee trigger capped at attack range
- Short-range units (weapon range < 10m) never kite
Install & use Install: follow the bundled instructions
- Unzip the archive from playbuff and read the bundled readme / instructions first.
- Most mods rely on the game's mod loader — the usual route is a community mod manager (such as r2modman): pick this game, install, and it handles the loader and dependencies.
- For a manual install, put the mod files into the matching Mod / plugins folder inside the game directory.
- Launch the game to confirm it loaded; mods with listed dependencies need those installed as well.
Install locations vary a lot between mods — the bundled readme is the most reliable guide.
Dependencies
Install these first, or the mod will not work:
BepInEx-BepInExPack_TABS