Companions do not use Polearms

[EasyCo506]

I'm having some problems getting my companions to use polearms.

First, let me explain what I've done to edit the game. I turned off companion interaction so that I can use all of them at the same time, and I've made several changes to weapons. I gave each of them the strange great sword (not much changed other than giving it the ability to thrust), a hafted blade (the longer one, and I made it so it can be couched and use thrust on horseback), and finally a flintlock pistol for range. And just to make it clear, they're all on horses.

I've read comments that mention that in order for companions to use polearms, you have to put it in the slot under the other weapon. I went into their inventory and put the sword in the first slot, the hafted blade in the second slot, and the pistol and ammo in the third and fourth slots.

Even though I've done that, I have noticed that they never seem to use any weapon other than the sword. I've tried putting the hafted blade in each slot, but nothing seems to work. They charge in with the swords, then they sometimes break away to use the guns (happens every now and then), but I've yet to see them use polearms.

Any help with this?

 

[Noapte]

The only way Ive gotten companions to use polearms, is to give them only a polearm. Ive tried the different weapon slots in conjunction with other weapons, but they will always use whatever else is equipped.

 

[Theodoriph]

The only way Ive gotten companions to use polearms, is to give them only a polearm. Ive tried the different weapon slots in conjunction with other weapons, but they will always use whatever else is equipped.

Same experience.

 

[EasyCo506]

Oh well, I had thought there would be some kind of fix for it. I suppose I'll just have to change their weapons during different situations, such as giving them the swords during a siege.

Although it is very annoying when I have to change each companions equipment one at a time for all 16 of them.

 

[leeroyfan101]

The only way Ive gotten companions to use polearms, is to give them only a polearm. Ive tried the different weapon slots in conjunction with other weapons, but they will always use whatever else is equipped.

That might be the reason why in the tourneys where you get a polearm thats all you're given.

 

[bobsnor]

ive seen my companions use lances even though they have swords also.... strange

 

[Artyem]

How do you get the flintlock pistol?

If you can get one, how the hell does it work?

 

[woofty]

It's just more of the weird weapon selection the devs have been trying to hammer out.  I've seen calvalry as well as companions use lances at melee range instead of a melee weapon.  It's like they think, "Gee, I'm on horseback and have a lance, use the lance!"  Instead I would hope they'd think, "I'm on horseback, but what's my velocity or range to target and is it attacking me in melee or not?"  If melee, use melee weapon.  If not in melee range and can maneuver, use lance. 

 

[EasyCo506]

How do you get the flintlock pistol?

If you can get one, how the hell does it work?

Press Ctrl+~ to bring up the console, and type cheatmenu. After that, go into camp, select the cheat menu, and near the top it will say "find item..." select that, and then you can go through the different categories and get any item in the game (also the only way to get the pistol and ammo for it).

Just so you know, I also used the text tools to edit the pistol to make it better. Hope that answers your question.

On-topic: I just got in a fight with a lord party, and I noticed that the ones with swords had switched to lances. Does it depend on who you are fighting?

 

[woofty]

How do you get the flintlock pistol?

If you can get one, how the hell does it work?

Press Ctrl+~ to bring up the console, and type cheatmenu. After that, go into camp, select the cheat menu, and near the top it will say "find item..." select that, and then you can go through the different categories and get any item in the game (also the only way to get the pistol and ammo for it).

Just so you know, I also used the text tools to edit the pistol to make it better. Hope that answers your question.

On-topic: I just got in a fight with a lord party, and I noticed that the ones with swords had switched to lances. Does it depend on who you are fighting?

I think terrain also plays a part as well as unit type.  I more open, the more likely cavalry will use lances.

 

[Shine]

If your companions are cavalry and they encounter enemy cav they will pull out their lances 100% of the time. If the enemy is all on foot (sea raiders, bandits etc) they will not pull out the lance no matter what. So when i want them to train up their polearm weapon proficancy i go fight steppe bandits and desert bandits specifically.

The problem i find is if they get de-horsed while using a lance they will stick with that weapon on foot :/.

Id like an option like the use blunt weapons only option for weapon types instead. Use 1h, 2h, polearm or ranged. 4 options and since you can assign a group to just your companions it would work perfectly.

 

[Noapte]

Ive noticed when fighting (particularly Swadian) Cavalry, that the AI will switch between melee weapons, like swords or maces and, polearms, but for some odd reason I can never get companions to do it.

Hopefully, like woofty said, the devs will get it fleshed out.

 

[woofty]

If your companions are cavalry and they encounter enemy cav they will pull out their lances 100% of the time. If the enemy is all on foot (sea raiders, bandits etc) they will not pull out the lance no matter what. So when i want them to train up their polearm weapon proficancy i go fight steppe bandits and desert bandits specifically.

The problem i find is if they get de-horsed while using a lance they will stick with that weapon on foot :/.

Id like an option like the use blunt weapons only option for weapon types instead. Use 1h, 2h, polearm or ranged. 4 options and since you can assign a group to just your companions it would work perfectly.

That might be the easiest fix, to just make it a command.  I will say though that  even if they fight fight cavalry, they don't always pull out lances.  Also, when the yutz's are getting chopped up by a cavalry saber or morning star, they still try to poke the asaillant with their lance, even though he's at point blank range and generally a little behind and then try to exchange blows.  I don't know how many times I've had to rush to a cavalryman's aid to save them from such stupidity.  If some one is chopping your rear and are too close for a lance, what are they still doing trying to wield it?

 

[sebcw]

this isnt just about cavalry, but rather the way the AI treats polearms in general. ive noticed that INFANTRY wont use polearmes when facing cavalry. i had a number of saranid infantry and i noticed the war spears on their back and thought "cool, i can stand them against a horseman charge". well, they seemed to think the best way to stop a cav charge was to headbutt the horse...... i didn't win that fight. i noticed that the ONLY infantry to use polearms are the rhodock.

what the game needs is something like the "blunt only" and "hold fire" weapon commands. add in "forbid polearms" (adding in a preferance for polearmes)" or "use polearms" (keeping the polearm-phobia that infantry currently have). it should also make cavalry only prefer using lances when they are going fast enough to couch, and using side-arms (like swords) at all other times (such as when their charge is inevitably stopped by the following problem).

as for my observations of cavalry behaivior, it makes me shudder. they act like they are infantry, that is, they try to press in close to the enemy. they treat their horses as just a quick way to close to melee rather than an actual change in behavior. they shouldnt be charging strait at the thickest part of the enemy formation, they should be going for the flanks, even when couched lancing.

as it is, only horse archers actually behave like they have a horse, other cavalry just act like they are infantry with roller-skates.

mabye i should just dismount my cavalry and use THEM as the spearmen that the infantry should be.

 

[woofty]

this isnt just about cavalry, but rather the way the AI treats polearms in general. ive noticed that INFANTRY wont use polearmes when facing cavalry. i had a number of saranid infantry and i noticed the war spears on their back and thought "cool, i can stand them against a horseman charge". well, they seemed to think the best way to stop a cav charge was to headbutt the horse...... i didn't win that fight. i noticed that the ONLY infantry to use polearms are the rhodock.

what the game needs is something like the "blunt only" and "hold fire" weapon commands. add in "forbid polearms" (adding in a preferance for polearmes)" or "use polearms" (keeping the polearm-phobia that infantry currently have). it should also make cavalry only prefer using lances when they are going fast enough to couch, and using side-arms (like swords) at all other times (such as when their charge is inevitably stopped by the following problem).

as for my observations of cavalry behaivior, it makes me shudder. they act like they are infantry, that is, they try to press in close to the enemy. they treat their horses as just a quick way to close to melee rather than an actual change in behavior. they shouldnt be charging strait at the thickest part of the enemy formation, they should be going for the flanks, even when couched lancing.

as it is, only horse archers actually behave like they have a horse, other cavalry just act like they are infantry with roller-skates.

mabye i should just dismount my cavalry and use THEM as the spearmen that the infantry should be.

Yeah, think you are close to the mark.  More reienforment on putting in commands to use a specific weapon or fighting technique.

 

[sebcw]

so how do we contact the devs directly with our ideas? or is there a thread they respond to in order to let us know what they are considering? mabye i should learn how to use the module system this summer if i feel the devs aren't correcting what i feel are major problems with the horseman AI in particular and horse issues in general.

 

[woofty]

There is the idea board.  I am not sure how it works, but if you send an idea in and they feel it merits more attention, they'll post it for further feedback.

 

[Cyrilix]

Your companions will actually use polearms. Give them a balanced long awlpike and a 1-handed sword / 1-handed axe, with a shield. They will switch between the weapons, more often to the sword / axe, but sometimes to the awlpike. I see this in action with my pure companion party.