Advent Troopers not using special abilities.

[Rikokrates]

I'm not complaining as I feel i'm getting too lucky, though 3 months into my campaign I haven't seen any advent troops using special abilities.

The officer, stun lancer and gunner seem o.k but the mecs, rocketeers and engineers haven't used any explosives against me.

I always try and keep them stunned with flashbangs as that prevents special abilities but sometimes that's not always possible yet they still don't attack with their specials.

Is anyone else having this "difficulty"?

BTW i'm playing on Veteran so it's possible because of the low setting.

[moroniccinamun]

I'm also playing on Veteran and use the same general strategy. I've never seen a rocketeer launch, but I have had micromissiles and flashbangs (from the engineers) thrown my way.

I wonder if it has to do with some kind of behavior code, e.g. will only shoot rocket if x amount of guys are clumped together, although I am sure I have been in that situation before.

[8wayz]

You should keep in mind that the AI now is a lot more vicious in terms of actually properly determining what is best to use against your squad on a given turn.

If you do not have soldiers bunched up (usually at least 3 in close proximity) you won't see AOE attacks, including from Vipers and the like.

The AI also tends to prefer Overwatch and Flanking to destroying your cover with grenades, as they are aware they have the numbers and often you are working against a timer.

[Devon_v]

I've definitely seen plenty of flashbangs if the engineers are left unmolested. I don't group up in general, LW1 mutons broke me of that habit.

[mattprice516]

I've seen Rocketeers shoot....

You don't want to.

[Rikokrates]

O.K thanks for the replies, glad to hear that everything is working properly. Also thanks for the mod, it's fantastic! A lot of cry babies out there but I don't think they understand the whole concept of the long war. Keep up the great work!

[Rikokrates]

I've definitely seen plenty of flashbangs if the engineers are left unmolested. I don't group up in general, LW1 mutons broke me of that habit.

Yeah, Exalt Rocketeers.......

[moroniccinamun]

I'm going to update my previous response here:
Just had an Advent rocket launched my way. Besides ripping off most the armor of Spark-001, the resulting fire killed Mr. Odd as I somehow forgot to bring a medkit.

R.I.P. Christopher "Mr. Odd" Odd, our only arc-thrower specialist.

[8wayz]

Yep, the AI won't use it special abilities/ammo unless they have a pretty valuable target. An armoured SPARK and a soldier in close proximity sounds like a juicy target to me.

[moroniccinamun]

Yep, the AI won't use it special abilities/ammo unless they have a pretty valuable target. An armoured SPARK and a soldier in close proximity sounds like a juicy target to me.

Yep that's exactly what happened.

In my defense, overextened my assault with a run'n'gun flank, even though my stealthy forward shinobi found most the area was clear, didn't see the second floor of a building that was just barely out his sight.

At first I paniced, as this assault was completely exposed to a squad of like 5-6 Advent, but my Spark with Bulwark + explosive resist&armor perk was just barely able to dash to give Mr. Odd cover; didn't help in the end because the fire, but it may be worth noting that at least in the early games the Advent rockets don't do too much damage to your guys, still completely level all cover though, something you want to avoid for sure (if you have to choose between taking a rocket or a grenade, I would probably rather take the grenade)