Non-Playable Scavengers

[3drts]

So I see the new beta has many new features, a scav on/off option, "challenges", green transparent building images to indicate queued builds, etc....

Made me think about other new features, particularly with the scavenger option.

"playable scavengers" was listed as a "questionable idea" on the frequently proposed ideas.

I would like to see non-playable scavengers developed a little more.

Some maps do include NPC scavengers (in the old version, I believe they only showed up in "campaign" mode or something like that..), some custom maps do as well (some don't, just as the advanced bases option is pointless for some custom maps).

I would like to see the NPC scavenger AI changed - I'm told Per already increased their strength somewhat...
I'd like the NPC scanvengers to be able to repair and rebuild destroyed buildings.
It wouldn't be just a low tech AI, expanding, capping oil resources, launching attacks, researching etc...

It would just be a "buffer" enemy, it would produce and stockpile units, and would not seek out players to attack (unless they attack first), its units would only respond to attacks.

The starting buildings would be its build template, it could send out "engineers" after attack(think cyborg engineers, except the size of the scav infantry, perhaps 10 of them = one trucks build rate or something), and attempt to rebuild its base to the template.
This starting template could also apply to units.... If the map maker gave the Scavs: 50 infantry, 20 trikes, 15 buggies, 5 jeeps, 5 rocket jeeps, 2 school bus cannons, and 2 fire truck flamers, (10 new Engineers?)..... then thats the force level the Scav AI attempts to reach if it loses units.
This AI could always "cheat" like an AI does on max difficulty, and could receive a baseline power flow, such that it can easily rebuild, and it can continue to act as a buffer between players until one wipes out all the engineers and Scavenger Factories...

Once players expand their bases and destroy oil wells previously held by scavengers, the player would be under frequent scav attack as the scavs attempt to secure the area and rebuild to the template.

It could be an option like "resilient/persistent scavengers"

It would alter the dynamics of the early game even more, but by T-2 tech levels, the scavs would be easily brushed aside and exterminated for good.

[KukY]

The starting buildings would be its build template, it could send out "engineers" after attack(think cyborg engineers, except the size of the scav infantry, perhaps 10 of them = one trucks build rate or something), and attempt to rebuild its base to the template.

There is a Scavanger Truck template. It looks quite good.

[Per]

There is a Scavanger Truck template. It looks quite good.

Where? Got a picture of it?

[KukY]

There is a Scavanger Truck template. It looks quite good.

Where? Got a picture of it?

I don't have. But anyway I want to see all Scav templates again, so I'll take a shot of it for you.

[Mysteryem]

There is a Scavanger Truck template. It looks quite good.

Where? Got a picture of it?

It looks like the rocket jeep (might be buggy and not jeep), but is actually a truck. Its name is truck and it moves really really slowly.

[KukY]

It looks like the rocket jeep (might be buggy and not jeep), but is actually a truck. Its name is truck and it moves really really slowly.

Yeah, I must've mixed something.
It is a MRA jeep.
And it doesn't move really really slowly.
It moves really really really slow.
But it builds quicker than ordinary truck.

wz2100_shot_009.png

[Per]

It would be nice to have some more scavenger models in the game, for variety. Did anyone make some, at some point, that had the same (admittedly rather crappy) style as the existing ones, and were properly licensed?

[Mysteryem]

It would be nice to have some more scavenger models in the game, for variety. Did anyone make some, at some point, that had the same (admittedly rather crappy) style as the existing ones, and were properly licensed?

Black Project made a load for his scavenger mod. I think they fit the scavenger style very well. I'm just not sure what the licensing is on them.