1.80 AI. Vs Skilled NPCs

[mossfoot]

Just wondering... If the enemy AI has been improved in 1.80, how much does the Skilled NPCs add on change things now compared to 1.77?

[cim]

The main improvements in AI between 1.77 and 1.80 were:
- group combat strategy more likely to focus fire on the most dangerous target first (and escorts will prioritise ships attacking the freighter)
- aim accuracy improved, especially for high-skill NPCs
- aft lasers more common

Skilled NPCs (or another accuracy increasing OXP) is still needed to enable "advanced" combat behaviours such as "trying to dodge" and some dogfighting and sniping improvements. It also opens the highest levels of aim accuracy (which are higher than before)

[Cmdr Wyvern]

Combine Skilled NPCs with CustomShields, and firefights with pirate gangs get a lot more challenging. Totally not for the feint of heart.