Starfield: Vasco AI Updated, v0.4 Released

The last few days, I've been taking a close look at the Starfield bots and how their AI works and is configured. I've learned a lot that will prove very useful when it comes time to build PAST.

Now that I have a firmer grasp on how the Model A bot works, I was able to go back and review Vasco's brain in more detail. This version of Vasco is probably as good as it's going to get until I have access to proper scripting tools and the ability to really get into the AI packages - in other words, until Creation Kit comes out for Starfield. But for now I think we're in good shape.

So here are the overall changes to Vasco:

No longer Unaggressive. Vasco no longer stands around waiting to get shot - if he detects a nearby enemy threat, he's going to deal with it. So if you need to do a stealth situation, probably leave the two ton mental death machine on the ship.

Incorporated unarmed attacks. The Starfield bots have behaviors that they aren't coded to use. The Model S, for example, has a sniper stance. The Model A has a quite effective punching mode that isn't used as a main combat stance, instead relying full time on being a ranged weapons platform. I've kept Vasco as primarily a laser man, but he can now resort to punching close up as a backup.

Rebalanced offense/defense. Originally the Model A is very biased towards defensive action, holding back and keeping distance. In Vasco's case, I've made them more equal, so he should more regularly press the advantage to the enemy.

Weapon improvements. In vanilla, Vasco is armed with a laser pointer that he can't aim to save his life. It does a third of the damage of an enemy Model A, for example, at about half the range. I added about 50% to his range, doubled the damage (still less than the enemy A but not terribly so), significantly improved his overall aim, and added a small aim bonus to his laser. In testing, he seems to be getting a better but not overpowered hit-miss ratio.

Stronger chassis. Vanilla Vasco is made out of aluminum foil. This patch doubles his overall health, from 250hp to 500hp, making him tougher than the basic enemy Model A. 

Better evasion and cover. Vanilla Vasco isn't really designed to evade or seek cover, and I can't say how much difference my changes here practically make. But I've increased Vasco's evade/avoid/dodge percentiles and given him the ability to occasionally seek cover. 

My feeling about Vasco is that Constellation took a mining bot and has steadily been customizing it for their own needs. It's not a stock Model A and shouldn't play like one.

Unfortunately, it seems like Bethesda decided that Vasco should be a starter companion only, useful only briefly, before the player is expected to switch to Sarah or Barrett (and later, to Andreja or Sam). These changes should make Vasco a more viable companion further into the game.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Until Creation Kit is released, these should be considered experimental. There's a lot we still don't know yet about this game, and they may have unintended effects. But this is true for any mods released for Starfield right now.

As always, this prototype patch can be found on the GreslinGames Discord, in the #vasco-combat-ai channel.

Have fun,

- G.