> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rpgmobs.frotty27.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Combat AI Tab
> Configuring combat styles, per-tier behaviors, and per-weapon attack parameters through the Admin UI.
The Combat AI tab provides editors for the CombatActionEvaluator (CAE) system that drives elite melee and ranged combat behavior. It is divided into 3 sub-tabs: Combat Styles, Tier Behavior, and Weapon Combat.
## Combat Styles
Each combat style defines a distinct combat personality that controls attack timing, defensive behavior, and movement patterns. RPGMobs ships with 4 built-in styles. Any style can be assigned to any mob rule via the Combat Style selector.
### Disciplined
Steady, measured attacks with consistent timing and reliable defense.
* **Attack Cooldown:** 1.0 - 2.0s
* Shield and guard usage at T2+
* Step back after attacks at T2+
* Health retreat at T3+
### Berserker
Aggressive, fast-paced pressure with relentless attacks and little retreat.
* **Attack Cooldown:** 0.4 - 0.8s
* Minimal guard usage
* Step back at T2+ (brief)
* Health retreat at T3+ (low threshold)
### Tactical
Calculated approach with strafing, early retreats, and flanking at high tiers.
* **Attack Cooldown:** 0.8 - 1.2s
* Shield and guard usage at T2+
* Step back after attacks at T2+
* Health retreat at T3+
* Flanking at T5
### Chaotic
Unpredictable timing with random bursts of aggression and erratic movement.
* **Attack Cooldown:** 0.3 - 2.0s
* Occasional guard usage
* BackOff at T2+
* Health retreat at T3+
### Combat Style Parameters
Each style exposes the following parameters:
| Parameter | Description |
| :---------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `attackCooldownMin` / `attackCooldownMax` | Range for the random delay between basic attacks. |
| `shieldBlockEnabled` | Whether the style uses sustained shield guard (CAE ShieldBlock action). |
| `backoffEnabled` | Whether the style retreats briefly after completing an attack chain. |
| `retreatEnabled` | Whether the style retreats when health drops below a threshold. |
| `reengageEnabled` | Whether the style automatically re-engages after retreating. |
| `strafeEnabled` | Whether the style strafes around the target between attacks. |
| `observeEnabled` | Whether grouped elites pause to observe before joining combat (CAE GroupObserve). |
| `flankingEnabled` | Whether the style attempts to position behind the target (T5 only for most styles). |
## Tier Behavior
Per-tier behavior escalation controls which CAE actions are available at each tier. Higher tiers unlock more sophisticated combat behaviors.
### Toggle Grid
A 5-column (T1 - T5) by 5-row grid of ON/OFF toggles:
| Behavior | T1 | T2 | T3 | T4 | T5 |
| :----------------- | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: |
| **Shield Block** | OFF | ON | ON | ON | ON |
| **BackOff** | OFF | ON | ON | ON | ON |
| **Health Retreat** | OFF | OFF | ON | ON | ON |
| **Group Observe** | OFF | OFF | ON | ON | ON |
| **Flanking** | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ON |
These are the default values. Each cell can be toggled independently per world overlay.
### Tier Detail Parameters
Clicking a tier row expands a detail panel with tunable parameters:
| Parameter | Description | Example (T3) |
| :------------------------ | :-------------------------------------------------------- | :----------- |
| `guardChargeFor` | How long the mob holds its shield guard before releasing. | 3.5s |
| `guardCooldown` | Minimum time between guard actions. | 6.0s |
| `retreatHealthThreshold` | Health percentage below which the mob retreats. | 0.35 |
| `retreatDuration` | How long the mob retreats before re-engaging. | 3.0s |
| `movementSpeedMultiplier` | Movement speed modifier during combat. | 1.0 |
| `backoffDistance` | How far the mob backs away after an attack chain. | 3.0 |
## Weapon Combat
The Weapon Combat sub-tab provides per-weapon attack chain editing. Each of the 9 weapon types (Swords, Longswords, Daggers, Axes, Battleaxes, Maces, Clubs, ClubsFlail, Spears) has its own configuration section.
### Weapon Selector
A row of 9 clickable buttons selects the active weapon type. The editor below updates to show that weapon's configuration.
### Attack Chain Editor
The attack chain defines the sequence of swing animations the NPC cycles through during basic attacks.
* **Animation Set** - the Hytale animation set used for this weapon (e.g., `Sword`, `Daggers`, `Battleaxe`)
* **Swing Chain** - ordered list of animation IDs (e.g., `SwingLeft`, `SwingRight`, `SwingDown`). Each entry can be reordered, added, or removed.
* **Chain Preview** - text summary showing the full chain sequence
Default chains use left-right alternating patterns for most weapons. Axes and Battleaxes include directional variety (SwingDownLeft, SwingDownRight).
### Sound Configuration
Each weapon has two sound slots:
| Slot | Description | Example |
| :--------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------- |
| **Swing Sound** | Played on every swing. | `SFX_Sword_T1_Swing` |
| **Impact Sound** | Played on successful hit only (in the damage template, not the swing). | `SFX_Sword_T2_Impact` |
The per-weapon sound mapping:
| Weapon | Swing Sound | Impact Sound |
| :--------- | :----------------------- | :---------------------------- |
| Swords | `SFX_Sword_T1_Swing` | `SFX_Sword_T2_Impact` |
| Longswords | `SFX_Sword_T1_Swing` | `SFX_Sword_T2_Impact` |
| Daggers | `SFX_Daggers_T1_Swing` | `SFX_Daggers_T2_Slash_Impact` |
| Axes | `SFX_Battleaxe_T1_Swing` | `SFX_Battleaxe_T1_Impact` |
| Battleaxes | `SFX_Battleaxe_T1_Swing` | `SFX_Battleaxe_T2_Impact` |
| Maces | `SFX_Mace_T1_Swing` | `SFX_Mace_T2_Impact` |
| Clubs | `SFX_Mace_T1_Swing` | `SFX_T1_Impact_Blunt` |
| ClubsFlail | `SFX_Mace_T1_Swing` | `SFX_T1_Impact_Blunt` |
| Spears | `SFX_Spear_Lunge` | `SFX_Spear_Impact` |
### Trail & Particle Selection
Each weapon can have an optional weapon-attached trail during swings and a hit particle on impact. These are selected from the available Hytale asset IDs.
### Additional Weapon Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
| :---------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `maxRange` | Maximum attack reach for this weapon type. Larger weapons have longer range. |
| `speedMultiplier` | Attack speed modifier. Daggers are fastest, Battleaxes slowest. |
**YAML reference:** See [Combat](/config/combat) for the underlying `combat.yml` fields.