Bots

File:Tr dustbowl0003.jpg

A bot Soldier in action on the Dustbowl Training map

There are two types of bots in TF2:

• The first type has sophisticated AI code, based on the Infected AI in Left 4 Dead. They are intelligent enough to replace human players in most cases. They do not require the server to have cheats enabled, therefore human players can gain achievements while playing with them.
• The second type has no AI code -- they are simply puppets which you can spawn and order to do things, such as follow you around and fire their weapons. They are useful for testing, training, or for indulging in antisocial fantasies. They require the server to have cheats enabled, therefore human players cannot gain achievements while playing with them.

AI Bots

AI bots can take the place of human players. They can only be spawned, they cannot be directly controlled. In addition, you cannot choose which class of bot to spawn -- they are randomly chosen by the game.

However, bots either as certain classes or as any class can be somewhat indirectly controlled, to a certain extent: any friendly bot that you place your crosshair over during the setup time will taunt automatically, also and more importantly, a bot Medic will heal you if you press the "Medic!" voice command. (Default key is "E" on PC.) If a Medic Bot is healing you and has an ÜberCharge ready, use the voice commands "Go go go!" (default keys are Z, then 3 on PC.) or "Activate Charge!" (default keys are X, then 7 on PC.) to force the Bot to activate his currently unused ÜberCharge.

As of this writing:

• They are still in beta testing, in other words, they are currently incomplete and are becoming more and more sophisticated the more they become patched.
• Not all classes have proper AI; a perfect example of this is the Spy. It is probable that a human Spy has complex behavior that is too complicated to be effectively simulated by an AI code. Valve is most likely still working on this. When playing with bots, the Spy will only be used: when playing in Highlander mode, which can be activated by typing mp_highlander 1 into the Developer's Console before you choose the team to play as, by typing tf_bot_force_class Spy into the Developer's Console, or by setting class restrictions with a third party program. It is very easy to tell a disguised Spy bot from a regular bot. Disguised Spy bots will run away from the player or other enemy bots while facing them if they are approached. They will also never use Cloak and are terrible at ambushing.
• AI Bots only work properly for most official KOTH maps, and cp Dustbowl, other than both koth_harvest variants. But for these maps, they do not require cheats to be enabled, therefore human players can gain achievements while using them. On other maps, they will simply sit in the spawn room and will attack any enemy that enters, which can only be done by the noclip command or on a map that has no team restrictions on spawn rooms.
• They seem to work fine on pl upward if the user previously created npc navigation meshes, however, the navigation meshes are not official and they do not as of yet work very well on other Payload maps (Based on this new information it is possible that in the near future, one of the next gamemodes to feature bots will be Payload.)
• Bots currently can not, or will not jump, rocketjump or stickyjump on purpose in any form of way.
• Bots currently can not use or equip unlockable content: including any weapons in the drop system, hats, miscellaneous items or any other form of cosmetic item.

AI Bot Commands

To use AI bots on supported maps, the server administrator simply opens a console and types in the following command:

Command	Description
tf_bot_add	This command will create one or more AI bots of random classes on random teams. They will also be assigned amusing human-like names. Syntax tf_bot_add [<count>] [<class>] [<team>] [<difficulty>] Parameters <count> Specifies the number of bots to spawn. If omitted, one bot is spawned. As of this writing, specifying a number greater than the maximum number of players, including any human players, causes the bots to freeze. Thus if you have a 24 player server (the default), and one human player, do not spawn more than 23 bots. <class> The classname of the class can be Demoman, Engineer, HeavyWeapons, Medic, Pyro, Scout, Soldier, Sniper, or Spy <team> Specifies the team name to assign the bot, where team can be red or blue. <difficulty> Sets the difficulty level for the bot, where difficulty can be easy, normal, or hard. Example tf_bot_add red 3 heavyweapons easy will add three Heavies to the RED team at the easy skill level.
tf_bot_difficulty	Defines the skill of bots joining the game. Syntax tf_bot_difficulty <level> Parameters <level> Sets the difficulty level for the bots. Values are: 0=easy, 1=normal, 2=hard, 3=expert. Default is "Normal" (1). Example tf_bot_difficulty 2 will set all bots created after this command to "Hard" difficulty.
tf_bot_force_class	If set to a class name, all TFBots will respawn as that class. Syntax tf_bot_force_class <class> Parameters <class> The classname of the class can be Demoman, Engineer, HeavyWeapons, Medic, Pyro, Scout, Soldier, Sniper, or Spy. Default is "" (aka blank). Example tf_bot_force_class medic will make all TFbots respawn as Medic.
tf_bot_join_after_player	If nonzero, bots wait until a player joins before entering the game. Syntax tf_bot_join_after_player <integer> Parameters <integer> Either 1 or 0. Default is 1 (enabled). Example tf_bot_join_after_player 0 will make TFBots join the game when added even if no players are on a team.
tf_bot_keep_class_after_death	If zero, bots will always respawn as a different class. Syntax tf_bot_keep_class_after_death <integer> Parameters <integer> Either 1 or 0. Default is 0 (disabled). Example tf_bot_keep_class_after_death 1 will prevent TFBots from changing class.
tf_bot_kick	This command will remove one or all AI bots. Syntax tf_bot_kick <name/all> Parameters <name/all> Specifies the name of bot to remove or all. Example tf_bot_kick CEDA will kick the TFbot named "CEDA" if one exists.
tf_bot_prefix_name_with_difficulty	If nonzero, append the skill level of the bot to the bot's name Syntax tf_bot_prefix_name_with_difficulty <integer> Parameters <integer> Either 1 or 0. Default is 0 (disabled). Example tf_bot_prefix_name_with_difficulty 1 will cause added bots to have names like "1 Aimbot" (normal) and "3 Saxton Hale" (expert).
tf_bot_quota	Determines the total number of tf bots in the game. Only has effect is "tf_bot_quota_mode" = "fill" or "match". Syntax tf_bot_quota <integer> Parameters <integer> Whole number between 0 and how many players the server can hold. Default is 0. Example tf_bot_quota 2, if tf_bot_quota_mode = match, will add two bots to the server for every one human.
tf_bot_quota_mode	Determines the type of quota. Syntax tf_bot_quota_mode<normal/fill/match> Parameters normal/fill/match If 'normal', the server will never add/remove TFbots without explicit commands and bot_quota has no effect. If 'fill', the server will adjust bots to keep N players in the game, where N is bot_quota. If 'match', the server will maintain a 1:N ratio of humans to bots, where N is bot_quota. Example tf_bot_quota_mode fill will always keep (bot_quota - # of human players) bots in the game.

It is possible to use AI bots on non-supported maps, but results will vary. First, the server must have cheats enabled (which means human players cannot gain achievements), and second, you must generate bot pathing which causes the map to restart, and third, this pathing generally does not work well after all that. However, if you still wish to use bots on unsupported maps, here is how:

1. Type sv_cheats 1
2. Type nav_generate
3. Wait a few minutes while the game works out where and how to use the bots
4. Map will exit and reload (navigation is saved, so no need to repeat previous step)
5. Open console and type tf_bot_add <number> as above

Additionally, a pack of pre-made bot meshes has been compiled for many popular maps.

Note: Bots do not work on Capture the Flag or Payload maps even if the above tutorial is used until a new update is released that gives them extra code.

Puppet Bots

Puppet bots have no AI code and so cannot replace human players. They do not move or act on their own. You can use them like puppets though, manipulating them to do things such as follow you around and fire their weapons.

They are mainly useful for testing, and with a hint of imagination and creativity; making stunning visuals. They are also good for the sheer fun of watching an army of perfect Soldiers firing their rockets in unison, gibing a dozen helpless enemies at once with pipe-bombs, or even getting achievements on idle achievements!

Because they require the server to have cheats enabled, human players cannot gain achievements while using these bots.

Puppet Bot Commands

Some of these commands work and some don't. For clarity, the complete list is included. Note that for all commands, entering the command without any options will display the command's current setting and a brief (one line) help.

Command	Description
bot	This command will create a bot on the given team with the specified class and name. If team or name is omitted, they will be assigned randomly. Syntax bot -team <teamname/number> -class <classname> -name <botname> Parameters -team teamname/number Specifies the team name or number to assign the bot. Where name/number can be RED or 1, BLU or 0 -class classname The classname of the class can be Demoman, Engineer, HeavyWeapons, Medic, Pyro, Scout, Soldier, Sniper, or Spy -name botname botname can be anything. If there is already someone with the same name, an incremental number (starting at 1) surrounded with parenthesis will be added to the beginning of the name. For example, joe, (1)joe, (2)joe, etc. If no name is given then the name will be "bot" followed by a number starting with 01; for example, the first bot will be bot01, the next bot02, and so on. Example bot -team red -class Engineer -name joe
bot_changeclass	Force all bots to change to the specified class. Does not seem to be implemented, nothing happens.
bot_changeteams	Make all bots change teams. This forces all the bots to switch teams. If a bot was on the RED team then it will now be on the BLU team and vice versa.
bot_command	Sends specified command on behalf of specified bot. Syntax bot_command <botname> <console command> botname is the name or id of the bot to send the command to. console command can be any of the ones listed in Scripting#Console Commands. Example 1 bot_command bot01 "voicemenu 0 0" Example 2 bot_command bot01 "taunt" The slot commands (slot1, slot2, etc.) do not work with bot_command, however with bot_forcefireweapon, you can make all bots in that class switch to that weapon and start firing, then make them stop. You can only make the entire group of bots in that class switch to that weapon, however.
bot_defend	Set to a team number, and that team will all keep their combat shields raised. For instance, Heavies will spin their miniguns.
bot_dontmove	Bots are allowed or prevented from moving. When set to 1 the bots cannot move but they can still turn and jump. Note with a combination of this command and bot_mimic you can move bots to where you want them and leave them there. Syntax bot_dontmove <0/1> Bot is allowed to move, or not. Example bot_dontmove 1
bot_forceattack	This will make all the bots automatically fire whatever weapon they currently have selected. If bot_forceattack2 is set to 0, then the bots will execute primary_fire. If bot_forceattack2 is set to 1, then the bots will execute secondary_fire. Note this does nothing if bot_mimic is active (set to 1). Syntax bot_forceattack <0/1> Bot will not fire if set to 0 and fire repeatedly if set to 1. Example bot_forceattack 1
bot_forceattack2	This will make all the bots execute secondary_fire on whatever weapon they currently have selected when bot_forceattack is set to 1. Syntax bot_forceattack2 <0/1> Bot will use its weapon's secondary_fire when set to 1, primary_fire when set to 0 Example bot_forceattack2 1
bot_forceattack_down	When firing, don't tap fire, hold it down. If this is set to 0 then the bot will act like they are continuously tapping the fire button (useful for the Pistol, but not for the Heavy's Minigun). If this is set to 1 then the bot will act as if it is holding down the fire button (useful for the Heavy). Syntax bot_forceattack_down <0/1> On when set to 1, off when set to 0 Example bot_forceattack_down 1
bot_forcefireweapon	Forces all bots who have the specified weapon to switch to and fire it. If a bot does not have this weapon, nothing happens to it (unless it is firing a different weapon, in which it stops) Syntax bot_forcefireweapon <weapon filename> filename is usually tf_weapon_ <weapon name>. Examples bot_forcefireweapon tf_weapon_fists makes all Heavy bots switch to and repeatedly attack with their Fists, and all other bots stop attacking. bot_forcefireweapon tf_weapon_shotgun_pyro makes all Pyro bots switch to and repeatedly fire their Shotguns, and all other bots stop attacking. To make all bots stop attacking, simply specify a non-existent weapon filename. Anything without tf_weapon in it isn't a TF2 weapon, so the bots won't shoot it, for example bot_forcefireweapon ,, Bots' loadouts cannot be changed, therefore you cannot make them fire unlockable weapons.
bot_kill	Kills the specified bot. Syntax bot_kill <bot name> Makes the specified bot commit suicide. Example bot_kill bot01
bot_mimic	Bot uses usercmd of player by index. The bot will execute all keystrokes issued by a player, mimicking movements, turns, jumps, fire, etc. Note this overrides bot_forceattack but does not override bot_dontmove. Syntax bot_mimic <0/1> On when set to 1, off when set to 0 Example bot_mimic 1
bot_mimic_yaw_offset	Offsets the bots' yaw. The bots will face in a direction this angle from the player. By default this is set to 180 so that all bots will face the player. Setting this to 0 will face the bots in the same direction as the player. Syntax bot_mimic_yaw_offset <0-360> Set the direction by specifying angle in degrees Example bot_mimic_yaw_offset 180
bot_randomnames	This will add text to bot names, apparently used for testing during development, some examples: "Yet more Bot names, medium size," "Another bot," "This is a medium Bot," "This is a super long bot name t" AI Bot Names The AI bots are programmed to have different names. A lot of their names are references to many of Valve's works, such as, but not limited to, Portal, Left 4 Dead and its sequel, and the Half-Life series. They also include some references to Team Fortress and the fandom as well. Many of these names have been requested on the Steam forums. AimBot AmNot Aperture Science Prototype XR7 BeepBeepBoop Big Mean Mother Hubbard Black Mesa BoomerBile Cannon Fodder CEDA Chell Chucklenuts Companion Cube CreditToTeam CRITRAWKETS Crowbar CryBaby CrySomeMore C++ Delicious Cake DeadHead Divide by Zero Dog Force of Nature Gentlemanne of Leisure GlaDOS GutsAndGlory! Hat-Wearing MAN Headful of Eyeballs Herr Doktor HI THERE Hostage Humans Are Weak H@XX0RZ I LIVE! IvanTheSpaceBiker Kaboom! LOS LOS LOS Maggot Mann Co. Me Mindless Electrons MoreGun Nom Nom Nom Not Me Numnutz One-Man Cheeseburger Apocalypse Pow! RageQuit Screamin' Eagles Still Alive SomeDude Someone Else Soulless TAAAAANK! Target Practice ThatGuy THEM Tiny Baby Man Totally Not A Bot The Combine The Freeman The G-Man trigger_hurt WITCH ZAWMBEEZ Ze Ubermensch Zepheniah Mann 0xDEADBEEF 10001011101 ;Syntax: bot_randomnames <0/1> On when set to 1, off when set to 0 Example bot_randomnames 1
bot_refill	Refills all bots' Ammo counts, including Metal for Engineers. Syntax: bot_refill
bot_saveme	This makes all the bots call for a Medic, equivalent to issuing bot_command <botname> "voicemenu 0 0" to every bot. Syntax: bot_saveme <0/1> On when set to 1, off when set to 0
bot_selectweaponslot	This makes the first bot select weapon in specified weapon slot. 0 = primary; 1 = secondary; 2 = melee; 3 = special Note this only works for the first bot spawned. There doesn't seem to be a way to specify other bots. Syntax bot_selectweaponslot <n> Set n to weapon slot that bots should switch to. Example bot_selectweaponslot 2
bot_teleport	Teleports a specified bot to a given coordinate. Map coordinates of where you are standing can be found by typing Status in the console. Syntax bot_teleport <botname> <X> <Y> <Z> <Pitch> <Yaw> <Roll> Where botname is the bot name or id to teleport. X Y Z are the map coordinates. Pitch Yaw Roll is the direction the bot should face. Example bot_teleport bot01 -4815 1385 -447 0 0 0
bot_whack	Delivers lethal damage from player to specified bot. This basically kills the bot with the currently selected weapon, probably used for testing during development. Syntax bot_whack <botname> Where botname is the name of bot to "whack". Example bot_whack bot109