Adding AI To Mids, The MVP

magicjtv · May 26, 2020

Understanding The New Importance System

Importance is how you tell Robot Woman which bonuses are more important to you when you select multiple bonuses.

A Bit Of History

The original Importance system was flawed, as it compared the various types of bonuses to each other and picked the biggest one. This just doesn't work when the different types of bonuses are orders of magnitude different from each other. So the "Default Importance" system was introduced. This scaled the bonuses by a default number based on their type, bringing them much closer together. It worked, but even I had difficulty in knowing how to tell the system X is twice as important as Y when all the importance numbers were heavily scaled, and scaled differently for each bonus type.

The Future

Where I'd like to go is to a system that doesn't require the user to calculate, just select what type of weights you want from a list. It'd have options like "Distribute Evenly" and "Finish Each, Top To Bottom". I also really like the idea of just saying "Give me Perma Dom". But to get there, we need a reliable system for doing the actual math under the hood. It's my hope that this system is it, or at least brings us close.

How The New Importance System Works

The new system completely avoids the problem of comparing two very different types of bonuses (like Knockback Protection and Healing) and trying to figure out which choice is better. Instead it only compares a bonus value to the value of the same bonus in the previous generation. If the new generation has a better value than the old, the AI Wizard rolls a random number between 1 and 100. If this number is equal to or less than the Importance of the bonus, the bonus is selected. Otherwise, the AI Wizard tries the next bonus.

In English, if a bonus improves from one generation to the next, the Importance provides a percentage chance that it is selected.

In pseudo-code, it looks like this:

IF current_generation_bonus_1 IS GREATER THAN previous_generation_bonus_1 AND random_number IS LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO importance_of_bonus_1 THEN

   USE current_generation_bonus_1

OTHERWISE IF current_generation_bonus_2 IS GREATER THAN previous_generation_bonus_2 AND random_number IS LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO importance_of_bonus_2 THEN

   USE current_generation_bonus_2

...

OTHERWISE IF current_generation_bonus_n IS GREATER THAN previous_generation_bonus_n AND random_number IS LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO importance_of_bonus_n THEN

   USE current_generation_bonus_n

The last thing to note is that the bonuses are processed in the order you enter them into the Wizard, top to bottom.

Examples

Here's an example of how to do a 50/50 split between two bonuses using the new system:

What this means is: Try Damage. If that bonus improves there's a 50% chance it's selected. Otherwise, try Accuracy. If that bonus improves there's a 100% chance it's selected.

The numbers get bigger as we move down the list because the pool of available bonuses is getting smaller.

Here's a split into even thirds:

What this means is: Try Damage. If that bonus improves there's a 33% chance it's selected. That handles 33%. With the remaining attempts, try Accuracy. If that bonus improves there's a 50% chance it's selected. We've now handled 2/3 of the cases. With the final third, try Recharge time. If that bonus improves there's a 100% chance it's selected.

Here's a split into even fourths:

Here's a split into even fifths:

Here's a system that always improves the first item if it can. It moves down the list only if it finds no improvement for the previous items.

Recommended Practice

I think usability is still an issue, but with some effort it is possible to understand what's going on. Follow the examples above and tweak them a bit to suit your needs.

Please remember that this is a stepping stone to a simpler system.

Edited May 26, 2020 by magicjtv

FullEclipse · May 27, 2020

So i installed it but when i try to run setup.exe it says i cant from this location because it is installed from a different location.

Any ideas?

magicjtv · May 27, 2020

2 hours ago, FullEclipse said:

So i installed it but when i try to run setup.exe it says i cant from this location because it is installed from a different location.

Any ideas?

Go into your system's App Settings and uninstall Hero Designer. Then install the MVP.

magicjtv · May 28, 2020

Current release

Mids AI MVP Installer version 0.0.6 - Added Knockdown, Reduce Damage, Enhance Hold, and Enhance Immobilize bonus categories. Added support for some special IOs. Redesigned the UI for the weight system. Added logging and View Log features. Bug fixes.

Follow-up posts will discuss the new features.

Added support for the following additional special IOs:

Entomb: Recharge/Chance for +Absorb As Heal Bonus As HitPoint Bonus
Superior Entomb: Recharge/Chance for +Absorb As Heal Bonus As HitPoint Bonus
Avalanche: Recharge/Chance for Knockdown As Knockdown Bonus
Superior Avalanche: Recharge/Chance for Knockdown As Knockdown Bonus
Winter's Bite: Recharge/Chance for -Speed & -Recharge As Slow Bonus
Superior Winter's Bite: Recharge/Chance for -Speed & -Recharge As Slow Bonus
Frozen Blast: Recharge/Chance for Immobilize As Mez Enhance Bonus As Immobilize Bonus
Superior Frozen Blast: Recharge/Chance for Immobilize As Mez Enhance Bonus As Immobilize Bonus
Overwhelming Force:: Damage/Chance for Knockdown Knockback to Knockdown As Knockdown Bonus
Unbreakable Constraint: Chance for Smashing Damage As Damage Bonus
Gravitational Anchor: Chance for Hold As Mez Enhance Bonus As Hold Bonus
Hecatomb: Chance of Damage(Negative) As Damage Bonus
Armageddon: Chance for Fire Damage As Damage Bonus
Soulbound Allegiance: Chance for Build Up As Damage Bonus
Apocalypse: Chance of Damage(Negative) As Damage Bonus
Fortunata Hypnosis: Chance for Placate As Reduce Damage Bonus
Absolute Amazement: Chance for ToHit Debuff As Reduce Damage Bonus
Ragnarok: Chance for Knockdown As Knockdown Bonus
Force Feedback: Chance for +Recharge As recharge Time Bonus
Sudden Acceleration: Knockback to Knockdown As Knockdown Bonus
Blessing of the Zephyr: Knockback Reduction (4 points) As Knockback Protection Bonus

Bug Fixes:

Fixed a bug where Rule of Five was sometimes being incorrectly calculated in powers slotted with multiple sets.
Fixed a bug introduced in version 0.0.5 that prevented the Wizard from calculating a single bonus.

Edited May 28, 2020 by magicjtv

Felis Noctu · May 28, 2020

@magicjtv You da real MVP!

In all seriousness, this is an awesome idea! I sit much more in the "build to concept" group than the "min-maxing" one, but it's still nice to get some info on what could be and adapt to it.

I want to mention that the more recent code has moved from here to the new Mids organization repo, in case you're interested. We're slowly getting everything centralized!

Also...

On 5/16/2020 at 2:33 PM, magicjtv said:

Shutting this down due to [...] the fact that the mids code is a steamy pile of shit.

Edited May 28, 2020 by Felis Noctu

magicjtv · May 28, 2020

14 minutes ago, Felis Noctu said:

@magicjtv You da real MVP!

In all seriousness, this is an awesome idea! I sit much more in the "build to concept" group than the "min-maxing" one, but it's still nice to get some info on what could be and adapt to it.

I want to mention that the more recent code has moved from here to the new Mids organization repo, in case you're interested. We're slowly getting everything centralized!

Thanks Felis. I'll Migrate to the new code base as soon as I can.

And sorry about the PoS remark... I was frustrated at the time.

Felis Noctu · May 29, 2020

1 hour ago, magicjtv said:

And sorry about the PoS remark... I was frustrated at the time.

Oh, you're apologizing? You must not have seen my rants in the Mids discord... 😛

Hell, Metalios rants at times!

This spaghetti code, junky, misguided... gift to the world. *cough*

Edited May 29, 2020 by Felis Noctu

magicjtv · May 29, 2020

Understanding The New Error Log

The new Error Log and its Error Log Viewer show what errors occurred while processing your toon. An "error" in this context doesn't mean it's a bug. It probably means the the AI Wizard tried something, saw that it wasn't legal, and dropped it. Trying a slotting that breaks Rule of Five is a common example.

The log gets cleared at the start of every run.

Using The Error Log

The button to view the error log is on the final screen of the wizard.

Clicking the View Log button shows the log in a dialog box.

Recommended Practice

If the wizard is not giving you a bonus you think it should, use the log for clues as to why this may be happening. Let me know if you think valid bonuses are being rejected.

Edited May 29, 2020 by magicjtv

magicjtv · May 29, 2020

Understanding The New Importance UI

Version 0.0.6 introduces a new UI for Importance that builds upon the Importance Engine introduced in version 0.0.5. The new UI offers three different Importance options and completely removes the need for the user to calculate importance values by hand.

Selecting An Importance

The new UI provides a dropdown used to indicate what Importance option to use. The importance option defines the relative importance of the bonuses you've selected. The available options are:

Top To Bottom - The wizard will always try to provide bonuses for selected bonuses at the top of the list. Items lower in the list will only get bonuses when no bonuses could be found for items higher in the list.
Twice The Next Bonus - Each selected bonus in the list is twice as important as the selected bonus that follows it.
Distribute Evenly - Every successful bonus is as likely to be selected as every other successful bonus.

Recommended Practice

When you have multiple bonuses selected, the Importance option tells the wizard the relative importance of each selected bonus.

Edited May 29, 2020 by magicjtv

Invincer · May 29, 2020

16 hours ago, Felis Noctu said:

@magicjtv You da real MVP!

In all seriousness, this is an awesome idea! I sit much more in the "build to concept" group than the "min-maxing" one, but it's still nice to get some info on what could be and adapt to it.

I want to mention that the more recent code has moved from here to the new Mids organization repo, in case you're interested. We're slowly getting everything centralized!

I tagged this thread early on with baited breath for it's development. This is potentially so awesome. I did try an early version (.03 I think), had understandable problems having to uninstall the Mids org repo which has updated stats (including the Artillery power set I love to use on Blasters) to install the old non-updated code one. Had to go back to the Mids org one though as the updated Mids Org code saved Mids files crashed trying to open them in the old Mids version.

I will wait to try again when there is an updated Mids Org version, which I hope is soon! 🙂 If I could give this thread 100 likes I would! Thanks so much for what you are doing!

magicjtv · May 30, 2020

Quote

I will wait to try again when there is an updated Mids Org version, which I hope is soon!

My plan is to concentrate on coding the Wizard. Once that's done, then I'll turn my attention to other things like a better installer and so on.

magicjtv · May 30, 2020

Current release

Mids AI MVP Installer version 0.0.7 - Added Perma Wizard. Renamed Artificial Intelligence Wizard to Bonus Wizard. Added support for some special IOs.

I'll discuss the new Perma Wizard in a separate post.

Added support for the following additional special IOs:

Analyze Weakness: Chance for +ToHit As Accuracy Bonus
Touch of the Nictus: Chance for Negative Energy Damage As Damage Bonus
Siphon Insight: Chance for +ToHit As Accuracy Bonus
Malaise's Illusions: Chance of Damage(Psionic) As Damage Bonus
Touch of Lady Grey: Chance for Negative Damage As Damage Bonus
Glimpse of the Abyss: Chance of Damage(Psionic) As Damage Bonus
Ghost Widow's Embrace: Chance of Damage(Psionic)v As Damage Bonus
Lockdown: Chance for +2 Mag Hold As Enhance Hold Bonus As Enhance Mez Bonus
Trap of the Hunter: Chance of Damage(Lethal) As Damage Bonus
Mako's Bite: Chance of Damage(Lethal) As Damage Bonus
Obliteration: Chance for Smashing Damage As Damage Bonus
Scirocco's Dervish: Chance of Damage(Lethal) As Damage Bonus
Call of the Sandman: Chance of Heal Self As Heal Bonus
Pacing of the Turtle: Chance of -Recharge As Slow Bonus
Executioner's Contract: Disorient Bonus As Enhance Mez Bonus As Enhance Stun Bonus
Sting of the Manticore: Chance of Damage(Toxic) As Damage Bonus
Stupefy: Chance of Knockback As Knockdown Bonus
Annihilation: Chance for Res Debuff As Damage Bonus
Positron's Blast: Chance of Damage(Energy) As Damage Bonus
Perfect Zinger: Chance for Psi Damage As Damage Bonus
Dark Watcher's Despair: Chance for Recharge Slow As Slow Bonus
Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control: Chance for Build Up As Damage Bonus

Ura Hero · May 30, 2020

8 hours ago, magicjtv said:

My plan is to concentrate on coding the Wizard. Once that's done, then I'll turn my attention to other things like a better installer and so on.

It would be nice if the installer would at least allow the user to do an Over the top install. Now we have to go out to Control Panel, Uninstall, then install. Not a lot of steps, but it is a PITA.

Issues and concerns in 0.0.7:

1. Need a selection to leave Health and Stamina slots alone. The AI takes slots even though as an experienced build I know the build will need them to keep Endurance up. Hasten and Build up need to have leave it alone options for the slots. Picking bonuses is great, but they should stay at the minimum slots assigned unless more are needed for the bonus.

2. Some powers seem to be totally ignored for slotting even though they have great inherent attributes. The real issue here is that the AI doesn't seem to use the base values for some powers as the starting point. For example on my Ill/Rad, it leaves Accelerate Metabolism and Hasten unslotted as well as often ignoring Combat Jumping, Maneuvers, etc when going for Recharge, Accuracy, and Defense.

3. As mentioned above, we need a minimum of Install on Top for the process. I know, I hate mucking with Installers too, but if you want folks testing they aren't going to want to do the extra steps. Just sayin.

The new AI is doing an incredible job of picking really good stats with the minimum iterations and generations on some builds. I did a Willpower/Fiery Tanker and got extremely good results for Defense and Resistance. Color me impressed for that one.

Attached are the two builds I am currently testing with along with the AI profiles.

AI Character (Ill-Rad).aiw AI Character (Tanking).aiw Controller - Ill - Rad - 3 (AI Build).mxd Tanker - Willpower - Fiery Melee (AI Build).mxd

Edited May 30, 2020 by Ura Hero

magicjtv · May 30, 2020

Fine. I'll write an installer. It's fine. Everything's fine.

Fine, fine, fine.

Sovera · May 30, 2020

2 minutes ago, magicjtv said:

Fine. I'll write an installer. It's fine. Everything's fine.

Fine, fine, fine.

Stay strong, magic!

magicjtv · May 30, 2020

Quote

1. Need a selection to leave Health and Stamina slots alone. The AI takes slots even though as an experienced build I know the build will need them to keep Endurance up. Hasten and Build up need to have leave it alone options for the slots. Picking bonuses is great, but they should stay at the minimum slots assigned unless more are needed for the bonus.

My plan is to add a screen that let's you specify any powers you want to have left alone.

Quote

2. Some powers seem to be totally ignored for slotting even though they have great inherent attributes. The real issue here is that the AI doesn't seem to use the base values for some powers as the starting point. For example on my Ill/Rad, it leaves Accelerate Metabolism and Hasten unslotted as well as often ignoring Combat Jumping, Maneuvers, etc when going for Recharge, Accuracy, and Defense.

Yes, the Wizard doesn't take the base effects of the powers into consideration, only the bonuses. This isn't an oversight, I just haven't gotten to that yet.

P.S.

Thanks for the files you're using for testing.

Edited May 30, 2020 by magicjtv

magicjtv · May 30, 2020

Introducing The Perma Wizard

The Perma Wizard is a tool added to version 0.0.7 that calculates how much recharge % you need to make a power perma.

You access the Perma Wizard from the Artificial Intelligence menu (also notice the Artificial Intelligence Wizard has been renamed to Bonus Wizard).

Screen 1

This is just an introduction screen.

Screen 2

Here is where you select the Archetype, powerset, and power you want perma. You can select up to five powers, including powers from different archetypes.

The screen below show the Domination power selected, but not yet added, in the upper left. In the upper right we've added Domination and have Hasten selected. In the lower left We have Phantom Army selected. The lower right shows all three powers added.

Screen 3

The final screen shows how much recharge you need to make each power you selected perma. You can copy the results into the clipboard.

The Powers List

Not all powers will appear in the powers list. Powers that get excluded have one or more of the following attributes.

Not a click power
A Mastermind Pet summon or one of their two main pet buff powers
A rez
A power you operate when dead
A duration of zero
An endless duration
A recharge time that is always less than the duration.

Edited May 30, 2020 by magicjtv

Ura Hero · May 30, 2020

34 minutes ago, magicjtv said:

My plan is to add a screen that let's you specify any powers you want to have left alone.

Yes, the Wizard doesn't take the base effects of the powers into consideration, only the bonuses. This isn't an oversight, I just haven't gotten to that yet.

P.S.

Thanks for the files you're using for testing.

Cool beans. I know I ask a lot, but I have done UI development and testing for a really long time (from back when mainframes were all the rage) so I understand the process. I know some of the stuff I report will be gotten to in time. I also know if I don't say anything I get surprised often enough that what I didn't report gets left out, so I report it all. I'll be the first to say that running a R&D development team can be... challenging. You don't know what is in the development folks minds, but experience lets me guess fairly closely most of the time. That same experience also fails me fairly often when I think something is obvious and it apparently isn't. Hence I tend toward too much information at times.

Glad it helps you out by sharing the files. I know how hard it is to replicate without good data.

I may not get to every release that you put out, but I am very interested in seeing where this ends up. It is an awesome endeavor and will be a huge boon to the community when you get it done.

magicjtv · May 31, 2020

Current release

Mids AI MVP Installer version 0.0.8 - Upgraded installer. Added support for some special IOs.

Added support for the following additional special IOs:

Touch of Death: Chance of Damage(Negative) As Damage Bonus
Decimation: Chance of Build Up As Damage Bonus
Shield Breaker: Chance for Lethal Damage As Damage Bonus
Theft of Essence: Chance for +Endurance As Recovery Bonus
Cloud Senses: Chance for Negative Energy Damage As Damage Bonus
Unspeakable Terror: Disorient Bonus As Stun Enhance Bonus As Mez Enhance Bonus
Basilisk's Gaze: Chance for Recharge Slow As Slow Bonus
Neuronic Shutdown: Chance of Damage(Psionic) As Damage Bonus
Kinetic Combat: Knockdown Bonus As Knockdown Bonus
Pounding Slugfest: Disorient Bonus As Stun Bonus As Mez Bonus
Eradication: Chance for Energy Damage As Damage Bonus
Entropic Chaos: Chance of Heal Self As Heal Bonus
Tempest: Chance of End Drain As Damage Reduction Bonus
Induced Coma: Chance of -Recharge As Slow Bonus
Impeded Swiftness: Chance of Damage(Smashing) As Damage Bonus
Razzle Dazzle: Chance of Immobilize As Immobilize Enhance Bonus As Mez Enhance Bonus

Ura Hero · May 31, 2020

Getting ready to switch to new PC as soon as Amazon shows up with the motherboard I have been waiting on. May not get to this one for a bit.

Zed · May 31, 2020

Giving Robot Woman® a test course. Build provided in attachments.

No incarnates enabled
No force feedback +recharge (which doesn't work in 2.6.0.7 anyway)
Hasten toggled on
No boosters on enhancements

-- Global recharge: +185%

-- Call Reinforcements stats:

Recharge: +96.70% (235.8s) (total recharge buff: 281.7%)
Duration: 240s

-- Summon Blaster (Mace Mastery) stats:

Recharge: +96.70% (235.8s) (total recharge buff: 281.7%)
Duration: 240s

Hey, Robot Woman®, could you help me make Call Reinforcements and Summon Blaster perma ?

Don't do this at home folks. This build is awful and it used to be my actual one. For testing purposes only -- recharge maxed out but nothing else.

Sure it'll be useful if you're looking for something specific. 👍

Red 4 1 7 - Arachnos Bane Spider Soldier (Bane Spider Training) (2).mxd

magicjtv · June 1, 2020

Current release

Mids AI MVP Installer version 0.0.9 - Added ability to select which powers are allowed to evolve. Removed support for .aiw files. Added support for .bwc files. Added support for some special IOs.

Breaking Changes

Adding support for the ability to save off which powers can evolve broke .aiw files. Therefore they were dropped and replaced by the new .bwc format. The .bwc format includes a file format version number which will allow me to make changes to the format in the future while still maintaining backward compatibility. The UI for saving .bwc files is identical to the old UI for saving .aiw files.

I'll talk more about the ability to select which powers can evolve in a separate post.

Added support for the following additional special IOs:

Gladiator's Net: Chance of Damage(Lethal) As Damage Bonus
Gladiator's Strike: Chance for Smashing Damage As Damage Bonus
Fury of the Gladiator: Chance for Res Debuff As Damage Bonus
Gladiator's Javelin: Chance of Damage(Toxic) As Damage Bonus
Javelin Volley: Chance of Damage(Lethal) As Damage Bonus

Edited June 1, 2020 by magicjtv

magicjtv · June 1, 2020

Controlling Which Powers Evolve During Evolution

In version 0.0.9, the Bonus Wizard introduces the ability to control which powers will evolve. The third screen of the wizard provides a link to a dialog that allows you to make these settings. This link replaces the old Slot Brawl checkbox.

The dialog that allows you to set which powers can evolve is shown below. Just check the powers you want to evolve, uncheck the powers you don't, and click Save. By default, all powers except Brawl are checked.

Recommended Practice

Use this dialog when you want full control over which powers evolve.

The .bwc file format includes your selections for each power. If you never use the dialog then the .bwc file contains the default values for each power. Becuase of their differences in the number of powers, .bwc files cannot be shared between Khelidians and non-Khelidians.

Edited June 1, 2020 by magicjtv

Sovera · June 1, 2020

22 minutes ago, magicjtv said:

Controlling Which Powers Evolve During Evolution

In version 0.0.9, the Bonus Wizard introduces the ability to control which powers will evolve. The third screen of the wizard provides a link to a dialog that allows you to make these settings.

My man, are you even taking time to breathe and sleep? Dare I say play the game? You seem to be breathing and eating this project.

magicjtv · June 1, 2020

3 minutes ago, Sovera said:

My man, are you even taking time to breathe and sleep? Dare I say play the game? You seem to be breathing and eating this project.

It's because I know how much work is still left to do to finish this project, and I do plan on finishing it.

But we're getting to the point where maybe there's some light at the end of the tunnel.

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Adding AI To Mids, The MVP

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