What exactly do The Outpost Defenders settings do?

I think NG did provide a brief explanation back in early/mid 2016 on the settings (I think it was @OldGoth at that time), but I cannot locate that post. But anyways....

Offensive setting is basically attack on sight. They will chase, they may even ignore their own cover. The AI at least seems to be smart enough to position to hit multiple targets if possible. And yet, this is the most predictable movements by the AI defenders once attackers realize the setting. Depending on the matchup, this may either ensure hospital time for attackers, or, ensure defenders get blasted away.

Defensive setting is the worst (in my opinion). Mainly because Defenders may not behave the way we think they would. AI is not very bright on this setting in my experience. (I've even encountered a situation in which defender-Assault moved back in an angle putting himself out of range, giving my Hunter/Shooter a free extended shot at him. Could've been a bug, or just that particular layout positioning on that map). Just be cautious on the Defensive-settings as I bet a lot players might not be fully aware how their defenders are actually acting in that setting.

Stationary is just what it says. They never move. No matter what. The absolute worst position for a "Melee" class to be in (with a rare exception). Defender-melee in stationary usually tells me opponent doesn't understand outpost dynamics too well, or, perhaps they're inviting attackers to kill them such as to intentionally tank influence. But overall, not a smart idea to put melee in stationary considering the majority of Attackers use ranged & can easily keep distance.


EDIT: I realized in re-reading my post that I inserted too many of my own editorial comments. So, as far as what Defensive setting does "on paper," it means defenders try to get out of the way of multiple attackers, and they will prioritize seeking cover over attacking in open territory.

If a defender has power strike for example with a bruiser it might bake sense for them to use stationary especially if they're behind some sort of cover.

But maybe it is dumb because if most attacks are from ranged you're literally never hitting anyone by being in stationary so you can get more damage when you do.

@Movado I like your interpretations. I might need to switch up my positions now that I've purposely dropped 100 influence. Was at 4800. Now down to 4600 and it's better IMO

In my experience, when set to defensive melee survivors don't seek cover. I've seen bruisers move towards my survivors but stopping in order to have 1 AP remaining.

I learned the hard way trying to brain-stab one but instead getting a pipe to the forehead. And ranged survivors pretty much do the same. Of course they attack if by using 1 AP they get into range, but most of the times the AI seems to go for the overwatch positioning.

Essentially the settings mitigate the outpost loophole.

@Dobrien5 she planned to stay there forever behind the gate with the two men she loved the most. You see her husband found out she was cheating on him with another man. She watched you battle them, frozen in fear thinking you were there to rescue her from the predicament she put herself in. She thought you were the answer to her prayers, that you could in decidedly kill one of them.

You first attacked her husband. He was abusive to her which caused her love to dwindle and her eyes to wander. Surely if her husband killed the man she cheated with then she was next. When you killed her husband she felt free again. Free to be with the man she had an affair with.

But then you killed that man. You killed the man she cheated with. You see that man was no ordinary man. He was kicked out of his previous guild accidently and wandered across her camp. His name was Stu. Once he was dead she had no desire to live in an apocalyptic world with both of the men she loved dead. She stood there and took your barrage of bullets to bring about the only peace she believed she could find.

There's they lay. 2 men and 1 woman slained by human natures desire to take what we can get.

They say when it's quiet you can still hear the rumblings of her silent screams shouting "Stu... Stu..."

> @meathead013 said:
> Oh if that's correct then that's important information. What I hear you saying is that defensive mode sets them up for an OverWatch attack, whereas aggressive would mean that they go instantly for the Direct attack on their turn if they can make it

That's right, and bear in mind that none of this happens till the defenders "see" the attackers. In other words, for Overwatch to activate a whole turn with survivors in sight must pass.

To ensure this many players put defenders in a location where they spot attackers right after they open the doors.