Tactics?

[Cake for Mumm-Ra]

I'm just getting started and I'm a little unclear on how the tactics work. A rogue just joined my party and I've got his tactics set as archer, I have the bow equipped, and and he still prefers to attack melee. I'm not seeing any commands to "stand your ground" which would be pretty useful, tbh. I've played plenty of BG2, NWN2, Divinity, etc. and I'm still getting used to the combat here.


My question is, do people often play with tactics disabled? Or are they pretty usefull as we get more skills? Do you spend time customizing tactics or use the presets more?

[LilG]

I like to experiment with the tactics menu for all my party members. I found the presets to be sometimes annoying.

You need to change your tactics for your archer to use only ranged attacks & maybe change to melee if the target gets close. I'd also recommend setting a tactic for their abilities & also one so they'll target whoever the controlled party member is attacking. Other tactics would be use a healing/mana item at 50% or lower HP/MP etc.

There isn't a stand your ground tactic,but you can set the character to cautious which usually makes them stay far back & not wander into aoe attacks.

You can unlock more tactic slots as you level up.

[Cake for Mumm-Ra]

Originally posted by LilG:

There isn't a stand your ground tactic,but you can set the character to cautious which usually makes them stay far back & not wander into aoe attacks.

You can unlock more tactic slots as you level up.

Thanks for the reply. Yea it kinda sucks when I try to position my dudes outside of a door so they'll be flanking when the enemy tries to rush through, and then have my dudes run into the room and get surrounded >_>

I'll try your suggestions. Do you invest points into unlocking more tactics?

[AbedsBrother]

Originally posted by Cake for Žižek:

I'm just getting started and I'm a little unclear on how the tactics work. A rogue just joined my party and I've got his tactics set as archer, I have the bow equipped, and and he still prefers to attack melee.

Un-equip his melee weapons. He will then use his bow all the time.
One thing you'll find is that while the tactics feature is grand in scope, in practice it's quite buggy.

[Jelly Sandwich]

Just unequip his melee weapons, but archery is really underpowered in early game and you need very specific build to be a good archer.

[K00lex]

Originally posted by Cake for Žižek:

My question is, do people often play with tactics disabled? Or are they pretty usefull as we get more skills? Do you spend time customizing tactics or use the presets more?

I played with Tactics for both my Warden and companions. And, immediately customize them when the companion joins the party or gains a new level/talent.

From an earlier post I made about Tactics:

Set up Tactics ahead for your main character and each companions, including Dog & Shale, such as "Enemy: Target Using Magic or Ranged" ===> "Pinning Shot" or "Winter's Grasp".
Or, "Enemy: Rank-Elite or higher" ===> "MIghty Blow" or "Shield Pummel"
Or, "Enemy: Highest health" ===> "Assault" or "Overpower"
Or, "Enemy: Nearest visible" ===> "Attack"
Or, "Self: Surrounded by x enemies" ===> "Mind Blast" or "Shield Bash" or "Two-Handed Sweep"
Or, "Self: Health < 25%" ---> "Heal" or "Use health poultice"

Everyone already has basic tactics initially, but it's prudent to change them to fit your play-style. The game has several standard sets (Scrapper, Defender, Archer, Damager, Healer, etc...). Use them as guides to save custom sets. Also, change Behavior from Default to Aggressive or Ranged. FYI, these two Behaviors will automatically attack nearest visible, so there's no need to waste a slot on that command.
See DA Wikia page for more detals: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Tactics_(Origins)

Samples:
For Sten/Oghren or a attacking warrior companion, set Aggressive Behavior and Scrapper Preset.
For Alistair or a tanking companion, set Default Behavior and Defender Preset.
For Morrigan or a DPS mage, set Ranged Behavior and either Damager, Debilitator, or Controller Preset.
For Leliana or a ranged companion, set Ranged Behavior and Archer Preset.
For Wynne or a healer, set Ranged Behavior and either Healer or Supporter Preset.

Originally posted by Cake for Žižek:

Yea it kinda sucks when I try to position my dudes outside of a door so they'll be flanking when the enemy tries to rush through, and then have my dudes run into the room and get surrounded >_>

I'll try your suggestions. Do you invest points into unlocking more tactics?

If you are setting up an ambush, issue a hold party command and take control of the character who is going to open the door or kite the enemies back into the ambush site. Not really a Tactics/Presets issue, but rather combat strategy/plan or micromanagement.

And, I don't bother spending skill points on Combat Tactics skill and just let natural gains from leveing up. I even used Raven Respec mod to remove Wynne's excess slots.
You start with 2 'tactics slots' at level 1, and gain free additional slot at levels: 3, 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30. Tactics are deactivated for selected character (unless modded via Advanced Tactics), so no need for your Warden if you are in control of him/her most of the time. As for the companions, they only really need 4-5 slots; enough for using health poultice/lyrium potion, casting heal/group heal, using crowd controls, and primary attack talents/spells. If you'want to use/cast more complicated or stamina/mana-demanding talents/spells, do it yourself via bottom quickbar or hot # keys.