Bots

File:Tr dustbowl0003.jpg

A Soldier bot in action on the Dustbowl Training map.

“

My fists! They are made of STEEL! Click to listen — Heavy Bot on self-realization

”

There are two types of bots in TF2: AI Bots and Puppet Bots. AI Bots are coded with sophisticated artificial intelligence designed to emulate player actions in game. Puppet Bots have no AI coding, but are useful for testing and training. They require the server to have Cheats enabled, which also disables Achievements.

AI Bots

AI Bots are designed to emulate human players and are not directly controlled. Additionally, their classes are chosen at random. They use sophisticated AI code, based on the PlayerBot and Infected AI featured in the Left 4 Dead series. AI Bots do not require the server to have cheats enabled; therefore, achievements are enabled while playing with them.

AI Bots can be indirectly controlled to an extent:

• Any friendly bot that the player focuses on with their crosshair during Setup time will taunt.
• A Medic bot will heal a player if they utilise the "Medic!" voice command.
• If a Medic bot is healing and has an ÜberCharge ready, using the voice commands, "Go go go!" or, "Activate Charge!" will cause the bot to activate his ÜberCharge.

Current AI Bot Status

AI Bots are in beta testing and will become more sophisticated as they are updated. Currently, not all classes have proper AI support, a good example being the Spy. Spy bots will run away from the player or other enemies if they are approached while facing them and will never use their Cloak. Bots can only play as a Spy in Highlander mode, by typing "tf_bot_force_class Spy" into the console, or by setting class restrictions with a third party program. AI Bots only work properly for most official King of the Hill maps, some Payload maps, Dustbowl, and Mann Manor (bots can only be added by using the tf_bot_add command). The use of AI Bots on non-supported maps is possible by following certain steps; however, they will not emulate human players as well.

Note: A pack of pre-made bot meshes has been compiled for many popular maps.

Using Bots on Unsupported Maps

1. Type "sv_cheats 1" in console
2. Type "nav_generate" in console
3. Wait while the game generates AI paths
4. Map will reload (navigation has been saved and the previous step doesn't need to be repeated)
5. Open console and type "tf_bot_add <number>" as above to add bots

Bots can be used on any map on which the above steps have been performed without having to repeat them, except for entering the "tf_bot_add <number>" command each time bots need to be added.

Note: Bots do not work on Capture the Flag maps, even if the above tutorial is followed.

AI Bot Behavior

• Bots currently can not use or equip unlockable content, including: non-standard Weapons, Hats, or Miscellaneous items.
• Bots currently can not jump, rocket jump or sticky jump.
• If a bot kills a player, they roll a chance to taunt immediately after and if it succeeds, they will taunt even if they are under enemy fire.
• When a bot sees a disguised enemy Spy, it will watch the Spy's movement. The bot will not attack the disguised Spy unless the Spy attacks or bumps into one of the bots.
• Pyro bots will use the Compression blast against projectiles regularly.

AI Bot Commands

To use AI bots on supported maps, the server administrator should type the following commands into the console:

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 there is 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.

Puppet Bots

Puppet bots have no AI code and cannot move or act on their own. These bots can be used like puppets though, players can manipulate them to follow the player's commands such as following the player around and firing their weapons. Puppet Bots are mainly used for testing purposes and can also create stunning visuals if manipulated accordingly.

Puppet Bot Commands

Not all of the following commands work; for clarity, the complete list of commands is included.

Note: entering the command without any values will display the command's current setting and a brief description.

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, Heavy, 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, all bots in that class can be made to switch to a weapon and start firing, then made to stop. Only the entire group of bots in that class can be made to do so, 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 bots can be moved to certain areas and left there. Syntax bot_dontmove <0/1> Bot is allowed to move, or not. Example bot_dontmove 1
bot_flipout	When on, this command will make the bots fire the current weapon selected. Default is to use primary_fire, but if bot_forceattack2 is set to 1 then secondary fire is used. Syntax bot_flipout <0/1> On when set to 1. Off when set to 0. Example bot_flipout 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_forceattackon	When firing, do not tap fire, hold it down. When this command is set to 0, the bot acts like it is continuously tapping the fire button (useful for the Pistol, but not for the Heavy's Minigun). If this command is set to 1, the bots acts as if it is holding down the fire button (useful for the Heavy's Minigun). Syntax bot_forceattackon <0/1> On when set to 1. Off when set to 0. Example bot_forceattackon 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 Stickybomb Launcher). If this is set to 1 then the bot will act as if it is holding down the fire button (useful for the Minigun). 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_inverse	Inverts the movement of the bots; moving left makes the bots move right, moving forwards makes the bots move backwards, etc. The direction which the bot is looking is not affected. Syntax bot_mimic_inverse <0/1> On when set to 1, off when set to 0 Example bot_mimic_inverse 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	AI Bot Names The AI Bots are programmed to have different names, with many of their names being references to Valve's other works. They also include some references to Team Fortress as well. Many of these names have been requested on the Steam forums. AimBot AmNot Aperture Science Prototype XR7 A Professional With Standards BeepBeepBoop Big Mean Mother Hubbard Black Mesa BoomerBile Cannon Fodder CEDA Chell Chucklenuts Companion Cube CreditToTeam CRITRAWKETS Crazed Gunman Crowbar CryBaby CrySomeMore Template:W Delicious Cake DeadHead Template:W Dog Force-A-Nature Freakin' Unbelievable Gentlemanne of Leisure GENTLE MANNE of LEISURE GlaDOS Grim Bloody Fable 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 Mentlegen Mindless Electrons MoreGun Nobody Nom Nom Nom Not Me Numnutz One-Man Cheeseburger Apocalypse Poopy Joe Pow! RageQuit Saxton Hale Screamin' Eagles SMELLY UNFORTUNATE Still Alive SomeDude Someone Else Soulless TAAAAANK! Target Practice ThatGuy The Administrator THEM Tiny Baby Man Totally Not A Bot The Combine The Freeman The G-Man trigger_hurt WITCH ZAWMBEEZ Ze Ubermensch Zepheniah Mann Template:W Template:W ;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

Update history

January 6, 2010 Patch

• Various improvements to combat behaviors.
• In KOTH mode, Bots are now:
  • More likely to roam around and hunt enemies if there is lots of time left.
  • Become more likely to push for the point as time runs down, or their teammates start to capture it.
• Medic bots now:
  • Opportunistically "overheal" nearby friends when they can.
  • Prioritize healing of injured nearby friends more.
  • Don't focus on Heavies quite so exclusively.
  • Don't spam their Medi Gun continuously at round start.
  • Won't choose cover far below their heal target so much (koth_nucleus).
  • Fight back with their Syringe Gun appropriately.
• General bot improvements:
  • They no longer stand still on the point when capturing or defending it.
  • They choose more varied routes now.
  • They choose better defensive spots around captured points.
  • They fall back to another weapon when they entirely run out of ammo.
  • They adjust their FOV when using zoomed in Sniper scope.
  • They treat in-range Sentry Guns as the most dangerous threat.
  • They fire their weapons is more realistic bursts.
  • Engineers use their Shotgun properly.
• Added a "virtual mousepad" concept to rework how bots track enemy players.
  • They now periodically estimate the position and velocity of the enemy they are tracking, instead of "locking on".
  • Addresses the "180 spin around and fire", "Heavy bot is OP", "Sniper bot is OP", and "I can't fight a Heavy bot as a Scout" issues.
• Tuned Sniper spot finding algorithm to generate more diverse locations, partially .addressing the "Predictable Sniper camping spots" issue.
• Soldier bots are more careful to not fire rockets that will explode on nearby geometry and kill them.
• Fixed a bug where bots tried to heal from a Dispenser being carried by an Engineer.
• Tuned scoreboard logic to guard against malicious server operators spoofing bot pings to hide the "BOT" tag.
• Added more bot names as suggested by the TF community.

April 28, 2010 Patch

• Bots don't retreat to gather health as readily if they are in combat.
• Bots no longer retreat when moving to block a point capture.
• Bots should now equip an appropriate combat weapon and fight while moving to collect health.
• Bots who are roaming the map and hunting now chase down their victims, following them around corners.
• Bots that fire projectiles (ie: rockets/grenades/etc) don't hold down their fire button for a minimum time. This was causing Soldier bots to fire rockets into nearby walls as they strafed, killing themselves.
• Soldier bots now switch to their Shotgun after firing all four rockets when engaging an enemy.
• Added a few more bot names from community suggestions.
• Fixed a behavior loop with Engineer metal gathering.

June 10, 2010 Patch

• Looking at a bot player for a few seconds now causes it to taunt.

June 14, 2010 Patch

• Fixed server crash related to bots and health kits.

June 16, 2010 Patch

• Medic bots now respond when nearby humans call for Medic.
• If a Medic bot is healing you and has an ÜberCharge ready, using the voice commands "Go go go!" or "Activate Charge!" will force the Bot to activate the ÜberCharge.

July 19, 2010 Patch

• Improved performance of bot computations that are done when a point is captured, a round starts, or a checkpoint reached.
• Fixed Engineer bots infinite build-destroy behavior loop regression.
• Fixed Medic bots losing their charge if they touch a resupply cabinet.
• Fixed a crash due to having multiple types of bot systems running in-game simultaneously.
• Fixed bot behavior issue resulting in bot pile-ups near level 3 Teleporter entrances.
• Bots no longer consider sapped Sentry Guns a dangerous threat.
• Bots will not try to navigate through enemy spawn rooms (unless they have won the round).
• Engineer bots will avoid building Teleporters on steep slopes which could hinder teammate movement.
• Added tf_bot_pyro_always_reflect cvar. Set to 1 to make Pyro bots always reflect projectiles, regardless of difficulty level.