AI Not Throwing Specials.

What’s the deal with AI being so reluctant to throw specials recently? No matter how much you bait and bait, they get you stuck against the wall until you’re history. Simple one-shot fights are turning into KOs and/or revives.

For example, Mojo boss in war usually kills himself against HT due to pre fight power stings, but I ended up losing an AB due to anti life degeneration from having to avoid that final hit that gets him to an SP3 (I’m sure the AI would have no issue throwing that one). Not throwing specials isn’t just happening in AW, but in all parts of the game.

Seems like more and more things are creeping into the game to get those “free” resources used up.

Comments

I_tell_no_tales_1

What’s the deal with AI being so reluctant to throw specials recently? No matter how much you bait and bait, they get you stuck against the wall until you’re history. Simple one-shot fights are turning into KOs and/or revives.

For example, Mojo boss in war usually kills himself against HT due to pre fight power stings, but I ended up losing an AB due to anti life degeneration from having to avoid that final hit that gets him to an SP3 (I’m sure the AI would have no issue throwing that one). Not throwing specials isn’t just happening in AW, but in all parts of the game.

Seems like more and more things are creeping into the game to get those “free” resources used up.

Kabam has started giving the AI steroids
So AI can do anything now

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Deremus

The AI has definitely changed. With HT pre fight power stings on them they will not throw specials. Very rare that they do. The AI recovery is crazy now. You can dex a special and go in for a combo and eat a combo to the face. Plus all of the bs bugs. Ghost has been broken for the longest

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Deacon

it has definitely changed .. the key is to watch the onslaught of threads asking about it .. i know for me personally i've noticed a HUGE reluctance to throw .. i have to literally bait 7-10 times and sometimes more. and this is hitting into the block to force an SP from them ..but nope. it's an endless dex battle.

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0casual0

The AI has definitely changed. With HT pre fight power stings on them they will not throw specials. Very rare that they do. The AI recovery is crazy now. You can dex a special and go in for a combo and eat a combo to the face. Plus all of the bs bugs. Ghost has been broken for the longest

Happened to me as well. They will throw their SPs when all the power stings are gone. That's so cheap.

Polygon

Finally someone makes a thread on this, it’s been so much worse lately. There’s times I dex 20 times straight and not a single special thrown, and yes I “shallow dex” and wait a few seconds in front of them

Camby01

The AI has definitely changed. With HT pre fight power stings on them they will not throw specials. Very rare that they do. The AI recovery is crazy now. You can dex a special and go in for a combo and eat a combo to the face. Plus all of the bs bugs. Ghost has been broken for the longest
Do you mean HT power stings have that effect in general even before the AI change, or since? I’m just clarifying because I find that AW bosses tend to throw SP1’s like they’re going out of fashion.

Do you mean to say, that you have never fought a mordo, hype, etc on a power gain node and not seen a consistent difference in AI gameplay? If you can honestly say you haven't, happy for you, consider yourself lucky! I would say that has not been my experience by a Longshot.

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Buttttt4

I'm also having this issue. War is the worst for this. Especially with power gain champs. They might throw sp1, then it's almost impossible to get them to throw an sp2, then they hit that 3rd and you're toast.

I also notice when I use my HT the ai won't throw a special when power stung.

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Tactigon

I rarely post but feel compelled on this, because it has made playing the game a sorry experience. Changes to AI seem to include:
- not throwing specials when baited. Seems to be worse when there are power gain nodes or power stings etc
- Inability to punish a defenders special after block or dex
- Defenders punishing your specials without time to block or dex
- Defenders shallow dexing your attacks almost like they have evade charges
- Defenders counter intercepting you when you are backdraft or light intercepting

All of these are inconsistent but consistent enough to ruin a play style practiced over years and a quest or map run at higher game levels. On top of the bugged play issues on iOS the AI changes drain confidence. Like others have said on other threads it was the final straw for making me quit alliance and semi-retire from the game some weeks ago.

The AI changes would be bad enough without the parry and dex bugs. Fine to make the AI harder on end game content if that is the plan, but better and clearer to do so through nodes like “this defender is better at intercepting, dexing etc” than wholesale AI change. Thanks for the good times, and may they return.

DrZola

I rarely post but feel compelled on this, because it has made playing the game a sorry experience. Changes to AI seem to include:
- not throwing specials when baited. Seems to be worse when there are power gain nodes or power stings etc
- Inability to punish a defenders special after block or dex
- Defenders punishing your specials without time to block or dex
- Defenders shallow dexing your attacks almost like they have evade charges
- Defenders counter intercepting you when you are backdraft or light intercepting

All of these are inconsistent but consistent enough to ruin a play style practiced over years and a quest or map run at higher game levels. On top of the bugged play issues on iOS the AI changes drain confidence. Like others have said on other threads it was the final straw for making me quit alliance and semi-retire from the game some weeks ago.

The AI changes would be bad enough without the parry and dex bugs. Fine to make the AI harder on end game content if that is the plan, but better and clearer to do so through nodes like “this defender is better at intercepting, dexing etc” than wholesale AI change. Thanks for the good times, and may they return.

At this point, I don’t believe the question is “was there a change?”—instead, it should be “why was there a change?”

Dex/parry issues continue, and yet the team appears to have coded the AI to step up its game and tighten opportunities to deal damage. Likely it’s just pre-planned, but an acknowledgment of the change would seem to be reasonable.

Dr. Zola

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BitterSteel

I rarely post but feel compelled on this, because it has made playing the game a sorry experience. Changes to AI seem to include:
- not throwing specials when baited. Seems to be worse when there are power gain nodes or power stings etc
- Inability to punish a defenders special after block or dex
- Defenders punishing your specials without time to block or dex
- Defenders shallow dexing your attacks almost like they have evade charges
- Defenders counter intercepting you when you are backdraft or light intercepting

All of these are inconsistent but consistent enough to ruin a play style practiced over years and a quest or map run at higher game levels. On top of the bugged play issues on iOS the AI changes drain confidence. Like others have said on other threads it was the final straw for making me quit alliance and semi-retire from the game some weeks ago.

The AI changes would be bad enough without the parry and dex bugs. Fine to make the AI harder on end game content if that is the plan, but better and clearer to do so through nodes like “this defender is better at intercepting, dexing etc” than wholesale AI change. Thanks for the good times, and may they return.
At this point, I don’t believe the question is “was there a change?”—instead, it should be “why was there a change?”

Dex/parry issues continue, and yet the team appears to have coded the AI to step up its game and tighten opportunities to deal damage. Likely it’s just pre-planned, but an acknowledgment of the change would seem to be reasonable.

Dr. Zola

Remember a year ago or something when the AI randomly became super passive, just started walking towards you and light intercepted you? That was an accidental AI change and was then reverted. Until this is confirmed to be intentional I think it’s more likely to be the opposite.

I’d just like a confirmation that it’s been noted and being looked into.

Reference

I also feel annoying. The opponent most of the time refrain from launching SP but immediately fire SP3. The end result is either prolonged fight or push me to play aggressively, hoping to kill opponent before they launch SP3…….and also make power control champs more valuable.

TheBoogyMan

They won't throw specials. It's been happening a lot

DrZola

I rarely post but feel compelled on this, because it has made playing the game a sorry experience. Changes to AI seem to include:
- not throwing specials when baited. Seems to be worse when there are power gain nodes or power stings etc
- Inability to punish a defenders special after block or dex
- Defenders punishing your specials without time to block or dex
- Defenders shallow dexing your attacks almost like they have evade charges
- Defenders counter intercepting you when you are backdraft or light intercepting

All of these are inconsistent but consistent enough to ruin a play style practiced over years and a quest or map run at higher game levels. On top of the bugged play issues on iOS the AI changes drain confidence. Like others have said on other threads it was the final straw for making me quit alliance and semi-retire from the game some weeks ago.

The AI changes would be bad enough without the parry and dex bugs. Fine to make the AI harder on end game content if that is the plan, but better and clearer to do so through nodes like “this defender is better at intercepting, dexing etc” than wholesale AI change. Thanks for the good times, and may they return.
At this point, I don’t believe the question is “was there a change?”—instead, it should be “why was there a change?”

Dex/parry issues continue, and yet the team appears to have coded the AI to step up its game and tighten opportunities to deal damage. Likely it’s just pre-planned, but an acknowledgment of the change would seem to be reasonable.

Dr. Zola
Remember a year ago or something when the AI randomly became super passive, just started walking towards you and light intercepted you? That was an accidental AI change and was then reverted. Until this is confirmed to be intentional I think it’s more likely to be the opposite.

I’d just like a confirmation that it’s been noted and being looked into.

Possible. I’ve noted elsewhere it could be programmatic—something that was slated to update with one of the game updates and not done with the intent to disadvantage players.

However, regardless of intent, the net effect in combination with things like input issues and AQ defender changes is such that the result is a more difficult and less enjoyable experience.

Which is why addressing it someplace like forums seems appropriate.

Dr. Zola

Dark89Phoenix

This game gets more & more strange everyday. The AI is extremely passive not throwing specials until they corner you. Seems like a money grab if you ask me. I used to think I was a great player but I don’t know anymore 🤷🏾‍♂️

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I_tell_no_tales_1

Well it happened to me in Labyrinth
Where opponents are supposed to be aggressive

mostlyharmlessn

I rarely post but feel compelled on this, because it has made playing the game a sorry experience. Changes to AI seem to include:
- not throwing specials when baited. Seems to be worse when there are power gain nodes or power stings etc
- Inability to punish a defenders special after block or dex
- Defenders punishing your specials without time to block or dex
- Defenders shallow dexing your attacks almost like they have evade charges
- Defenders counter intercepting you when you are backdraft or light intercepting

All of these are inconsistent but consistent enough to ruin a play style practiced over years and a quest or map run at higher game levels. On top of the bugged play issues on iOS the AI changes drain confidence. Like others have said on other threads it was the final straw for making me quit alliance and semi-retire from the game some weeks ago.

The AI changes would be bad enough without the parry and dex bugs. Fine to make the AI harder on end game content if that is the plan, but better and clearer to do so through nodes like “this defender is better at intercepting, dexing etc” than wholesale AI change. Thanks for the good times, and may they return.
At this point, I don’t believe the question is “was there a change?”—instead, it should be “why was there a change?”

Dex/parry issues continue, and yet the team appears to have coded the AI to step up its game and tighten opportunities to deal damage. Likely it’s just pre-planned, but an acknowledgment of the change would seem to be reasonable.

Dr. Zola
Remember a year ago or something when the AI randomly became super passive, just started walking towards you and light intercepted you? That was an accidental AI change and was then reverted. Until this is confirmed to be intentional I think it’s more likely to be the opposite.

I’d just like a confirmation that it’s been noted and being looked into.

While I would like to think this was unintentional, It's been on a downhill slide for a while now and not a new phenomenon. This says it's intended change being worked in OR Kabam developers, testers, and other employees do not actually play the game.

Roguefrogger13

9 times out of 10 if I use a sp2 while I'm close to the defending champ the AI recovers about .5 sec before I do and I get wrecked. Completely agree that they don't want to throw special attacks.

DrZola

Looking at this months changelog as well as the past few, I do not see any notice regarding changes to the AI behavior—most notably, increased passivity and reluctance to throw specials (even with Taunt active).

What’s the rationale for changing AI during a period when the game controls have been janky?

What’s the rationale for not discussing it in the forums? Is it something still being investigated? Is it unintended and something for which the root cause is unknown?

This is behavior that’s been consistently noted and asked about for the past 30-60 days. No one rational thinks there’s any conspiracy here—but I think we’d like to get a sense of what shows up on the game team’s side. Is there literally nothing on your end that has been done which could affect the AI game play this way?

Opening up discussion on the game team side would be greatly appreciated.

Dr. Zola

PapaMidnite007

In do not go gentle path in 6.2.5 that Gwenpool with energize never throws her specials except when pushed to sp 3

mostlyharmlessn

Well in Kabam's defense, the AI is excellent at throwing SP3's when under a taunt Debuff, especially when the taunt is placed on them when they just crossed the SP2 mark.....

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SirGamesBond

It's not passive...Now AI know the timers and nodes we have to deal with.
AI can choose between reacting to a node, a timer, a ability...Or not.
If it chose to play according to specific timer, I expect it to throw specials at a time where I wont be able to utilise a condition.

DrZola

I’m going to drop a link to this thread here which tries the get clarify re: how taunt and the new AI interact since it is related to this thread.

https://forums.playcontestofchampions.com/en/discussion/287939/ai-tweaks-and-the-effectiveness-of-taunt/p2

It looks like both threads have been managed recently and I don’t want this issue to be filed away.

Dr. Zola