Ok... yes i am a new mapper trying to learn how to make maps. I have no grandiose ideas of making some super complex map... i simply want to learn how to make maps the way "I" like them and not be stuck with the normal maps.

For example, I want to have a nice map that has 2 plers on top and 4 on bottom with only one central path linking top and bottom somewhere in the middle. I know this would make defending too easy, but its just something i would like to learn to do.

I can make the map, while not pretty, i can at least do it. Where i fall short is the scripting. I am not sure how to make the computer players build and attack. I know i would have to set up base perimeters and waypoints telling the computer where to go to attack me and or capture neutral buildings, but i am not sure how to get the bastards to do the basic stuff like build and attack.

Any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance.

L3th@l1ty

Getting skirmish AI's is easy, All you have to do is click "Add Skirmish Players" and they work, Mission AI's aren't as easy but still are easy.


This thread explains how to make a simple AI that builds units out of a team, Has them attack, and if they die they are rebuilt and the process starts all over again: http://www.cnclabs.com/forums/default.aspx?g=posts&t=8866 


Note: Doing skirmish ai's like that isn't very good of a idea, But without doing it the AI's dont work no matter what, Reason is by just doing that the ai is barely a challenge and well, Sucks.

World Builder Tutorial: Adding AI to a skirmish Map 

well that is kind of what i was wondering about... say i had my map set up with start locations for all 6 players.... 2 on top and 4 on bottom. The 4 on the bottom would be skirmish AI players. how do i drop in waypoints for the ai players to follow so they know where to go to attack players. I mean i know how to create waypoints, but i am not sure how to tell the ai to use them to say attack player 2 (human)? and the whole point of making my own custom maps is going to be to see how many hard armies my buddy and i can take on at once (us not being pro players)... so i would need a hard army.. not some easy as hell AI so i will need to know how to make the ai harder if by just adding skirmish players makes them rather easy.

Just set the map up correctly for skirmish and set the AI players as enemies to you. In case you're not sure about setting up the map I'll include these notes.

The default skirmish scripts, which loads into the map when you start the game tell the AI how to play the game. These scripts call upon areas and waypoint paths you've place on the map and thus the names on these items and how they are placed and labeled are important or the AI won't function properly.

InnerPerimeter
The buildable section of a base has an area that is referenced to in the scripts as "InnerPerimeterX" where "X" is the base number. Each base should have this area. The first four can be labeled on the Area Trigger Options window by selecting the name from the dropdown window. For bases five through eight type the name in manually.

OuterPerimeter
Bases also have another area, which warns the AI when an enemy is approaching. This area is called the "OuterPerimeterX". These areas should be placed as a box around a box with the OuterPerimeter going around the InnerPerimeter with no areas overlapping. The spacing of these areas can be tight in the back or in the corner of the map and then widen where an enemy might approach the base.

CombatZone
The map should have one area called "CombatZone" that covers an area between the base areas where battles will take place. Some teams built by the AI are told to guard this area but more important is that it is within this area that the AI looks for pathways leading into all bases on the map, which I'll cover next. I would place this area close to the Outer Perimeter areas, again making sure these areas don't overlap. As you won't find this name in the dropdown, you will need to type in the name like this, CombatZone.

Pathways
Each base should have reference to three pathway labels or names, these being CenterX, FlankX and BackdoorX. (X = Base Number) You might have noticed when laying down Waypoints that a window comes up called Waypoint Options. At the bottom on this window is a section called Waypoint Path Labels. This is where you "Label" your pathway. Notice there are three textboxes available for each path, so one pathway could be labeled with all three pathway-names if you chose to.

All pathways should start in the CombatZone and end inside the Inner Perimeter of the base. You place the path by placing a waypoint as you did when adding them for your start positions, only when making a path, you hold down you left-mouse button and drag out a section of path. When you release the button another point is placed and if you left-click again over the same spot, again holding the button down, you can drag out another section of this pathway. Label each path as I mentioned above.

Exactly where you put these paths as long as they start and end in the correct areas is up to you but a simple two-point pathway is better than a long path going all around the map. Also note that where these paths are placed is where the AI will build their defenses so this should also be considered when placing pathways.
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