Boarding, choice change during round

[Lisa-Azra]

As far as I was aware when undertaking boarding you click the option and that is your choice until the round timer runs out.

I was boarded by a NPC ship, he pressed fire deck guns, I pressed fire muskets and just before the time run out the NPC changed to attack.

 

Is this normal?

Is this new since the upgrading of the NPC's AI?

Has anyone else encountered this?

Or is it a glitch with my game/install?

[Chromey]

the boarding mini game is timer based.  Attack at begnining of 15 second round take 20 action points but at the very last second costs 50 or 60 i believe.

 

Defend costs 10 points to do at beggning and at end costs like 25 or 30 points.   Somebody help us out here.

 

ps. every time you pick a command in the round it takes 7 seconds cool down  before you can pick another so  that is another rule you will have to watch out for.

Edited April 20, 2016 by Chromey

[Lisa-Azra]

Thank you Chromey. What about changing your choice such as at the start of the round you choose one thing and before the timer ends for that round you choose another. I did not think it was possible but it happened to me. Just wondering if this is a fault with my system, normal play or a new super human feat from the NPC's after the land in battles patch?

[Hethwill, the Red Duke]

We humans can do it as well.

 

Some AI ranks do it consistently if they have preparation and morale to spare.

[Twig]

The boarding mini game is related to your preparation.

You do have the possibility to change your choice. ( It is locked for a few seconds - but after that you are able to switch again IF you have enough preparation left)

E.g. You lock in the attack at s. 12  - the enemy presses defense. You do have enough preparation left - so you are able to switch to musketfire at s. 2  (Defense counters the attack)

But why is it related to preparation?

First of all you need preparations to launch everything. But the cost are different.
Secondly, the later you are going to use a ability the higher the preparations cost will be. Thus you need more preparation to use those. (You do that, so the enemy can not counter you)
Thirdly, you are only able to get preparations by brace and you will be forced to stack brace to get to higher preparation.
Fourthly, you need at least 50 prep. before you can board. Thus you will start with the preparations you were able to stack before you initiated the boarding.

 

Marines and other boarding upgrades gives you an extreme amount of assistance to board easier. Marines (related to their LV - common, fine etc) will stay in the boarding slot while you are shooting at your enemy and keep your preparation at a defined level without need to load the preparation up. (just when you are going to board someone) - Marines will also make your attacks more efficient. While barricades will increase the defend dmg.

Attack and defend are related to each other - Attack makes the most dmg, but defend is the counter to it and may be a two sided sword.

It is a mindgame, especially when you board other players.

So far the introduction to the boarding fight. I hope it will help ya

 

Edited April 20, 2016 by Twig