Bots

There are two types of bots in TF2:

• The first type has sophisticated AI code, based on the Infected AI in Left 4 Dead. They are intelligent enough to replace human players in most cases. They do not require the server to have cheats enabled, therefore human players can gain achievements while playing with them.
• The second type has no AI code -- they are simply puppets which you can spawn and order to do things, such as follow you around and fire their weapons. They are useful for testing or for indulging in antisocial fantasies. They require the server to have cheats enabled, therefore human players cannot gain achievements while playing with them.

File:Tr dustbowl0003.jpg

A bot Soldier in action on the Dustbowl Training map

AI Bots

AI bots can take the place of human players. They can only be spawned, they cannot be directly controlled. In addition, you cannot choose which class of bot to spawn -- they are randomly chosen by the game.

However, bots either as certain classes or as any class can be somewhat indirectly controlled, to a certain extent: any friendly bot that you place your crosshair over during the setup time will taunt automatically, also and more importantly, a bot medic will heal you if you press the "Medic!" voice command. (Default key is "E" on PC.) If a Medic Bot is healing you and has an ÜberCharge ready, use the voice commands "Go go go!" (default keys are Z, then 3 on PC.) or "Activate Charge!" (default keys are X, then 7 on PC.) to force the Bot to activate his currently unused ÜberCharge.

As of this writing:

• They are still in beta testing, in other words, they are currently incomplete and are becoming more and more sophisticated the more they become patched.
• Not all classes are represented, e.g. no spies; It is probable that a human spy has complex behavior that is too complicated to be effectively simulated by an AI code. Valve is most likely still working on this.
• They only work out-of-the-box for most official KOTH maps, and cp_dustbowl. (other than both koth_harvest variants.) But for these maps, they do not require cheats to be enabled, therefore human players can gain achievements while using them.
• Bots currently can not, or will not jump, rocketjump or stickyjump on purpose in any form of way.
• Bots currently can not use or equip unlockable content: including unlockable weapons, hats, miscellaneous items or any other cosmetic items.
• They seem to work fine on pl_upward if the user previously created npc navigation meshes, however, the navigation meshes are not official and they do not as of yet work very well on other payload maps(Based on this new information it is possible that in the near future, one of the next gamemodes to feature bots will be payload.)

AI Bot Commands

To use AI bots on supported maps, the server administrator simply opens a console and types in the following command:

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 you have 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.

It is possible to use AI bots on non-supported maps, but results will vary. First, the server must have cheats enabled (which means human players cannot gain achievements), and second, you must generate bot pathing which causes the map to restart, and third, this pathing generally does not work well after all that. However, if you still wish to use bots on unsupported maps, here is how:

1) Type sv_cheats 1

2) Type nav_generate

3) Wait a few minutes while the game works out where and how to use the bots

4) Map will exit and reload (navigation is saved, so no need to repeat previous step)

5) Open console and type tf_bot_add <number> as above

Additionally, a pack of pre-made bot meshes has been compiled for many popular maps.

Note: Bots do not work on Capture the Flag or Payload maps even if the above tutorial is used until a new update is released that gives them extra code.

Bot names

The AI bots are programmed to have different names. A lot of their names are references to many of Valve's works, such as, but not limited to, Portal, Left 4 Dead and its sequel, and Half-Life. They also include some references to Team Fortress and the fandom as well. Many of these names have been requested on the Steam forums.

• AimBot
• AmNot
• Aperture Science Prototype XR7
• BeepBeepBoop
• Big Mean Mother Hubbard
• Black Mesa
• BoomerBile
• Cannon Fodder
• CEDA
• Chell
• Chucklenuts
• Companion Cube
• CreditToTeam
• CRITRAWKETS
• Crowbar
• CryBaby
• CrySomeMore
• C++
• Delicious Cake
• DeadHead
• Divide by Zero
• Dog
• Force of Nature
• Gentlemanne of Leisure
• GlaDOS
• 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
• Mindless Electrons
• MoreGun
• Nom Nom Nom
• Not Me
• Numnutz
• One-Man Cheeseburger Apocalypse
• Pow!
• RageQuit
• Screamin' Eagles
• Still Alive
• SomeDude
• Someone Else
• Soulless
• TAAAAANK!
• Target Practice
• ThatGuy
• THEM
• Tiny Baby Man
• Totally Not A Bot
• The Combine
• The Freeman
• The G-Man
• trigger_hurt
• WITCH
• ZAWMBEEZ
• Ze Ubermensch
• Zepheniah Mann
• 0xDEADBEEF
• 10001011101

AI Bot Related Patches

initial release: December 17, 2009 Patch

• Added work-in-progress TF Bots for beta testing in KOTH maps (blog post coming with more info)

December 22, 2009 Patch

• Fixed the TFBots not reacting correctly to stun effects

January 6, 2010 Patch

• 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 Medigun continuously at round start
  • Won't choose cover far below their heal target so much (koth_nucleus)
  • Fight back with their syringe-gun appropriately
• Various improvements to combat behaviors
• 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 Sentries 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"
  • After rotating beyond a maximum angle, they will pause for a fraction of a second to re-center their "virtual mouse"
  • Allows for over/undershoot "slop" in aiming. Looks more natural, and allows skilled players to dodge
  • Addresses the "180 spin around and fire", "Heavy bot is OP", "Sniper 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

February 3, 2010 Patch

• Added "bots" to the server's sv_tags convar if the server is running bots

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.
• Soldiers 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

• Added Training, with support for General gameplay & Soldier class training for now. (with bots)
• Added Offline Practice mode, with support for KOTH maps and Dustbowl.(with bots)

Part 2:

• Fixed training servers showing up in the server browser for other users
• Fixed a crash related to level changes while playing a game with bots
• Looking at a bot player for some seconds now causes it to taunt.

June 11, 2010 Patch

• Fixed a case where servers could get stuck in an infinite loop while spawning bots.
• Fixed a level change crash related to Bot navigation meshes.

June 14, 2010 Patch

• Fixed server crash related to bots and health kits

June 16, 2010 Patch

• TFBot Changes
  • Medics now respond when nearby humans call for Medic
  • If a Medic Bot is healing you and has an ÜberCharge ready, use the voice commands "Go go go!" or "Activate Charge!" to force the Bot to activate the ÜberCharge

July 19, 2010 Patch

• TF Bot Changes
  • Improved performance of bot computations that are done when a point is captured, a round starts, or a checkpoint reached.
  • Fixed Engineer bot 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 sentries a dangerous threat
  • Bots will not try to navigate through enemy spawn rooms (unless they have won the round)
  • Bot Engineers will avoid building teleporters on steep slopes which can hinder teammate movement
  • Added tf_bot_pyro_always_reflect cvar. Set to 1 to make Pyro bots always reflect projectiles, regardless of difficulty level.

Puppet Bots

Puppet bots have no AI code and so cannot replace human players. They do not move or act on their own. You can use them like puppets though, manipulating them to do things such as follow you around and fire their weapons.

They are mainly useful for testing, and with a hint of imagination and creativity; making stunning visuals. They are also good for the sheer fun of watching an army of perfect soldiers firing their rockets in unison, or gibbing a dozen helpless enemies at once with pipebombs.

Because they require the server to have cheats enabled, human players cannot gain achievements while using these bots.

Puppet Bot Commands

Some of these commands work and some don't. For clarity, the complete list is included. Note that for all commands, entering the command without any options will display the command's current setting and a brief (one line) help.

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, HeavyWeapons, 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, you can make all bots in that class switch to that weapon and start firing, then make them stop. You can only make the entire group of bots in that class switch to that weapon, 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 you can move bots to where you want them and leave them there. Syntax bot_dontmove <0/1> Bot is allowed to move, or not. Example bot_dontmove 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_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 Pistol, but not for the Heavy's Minigun). If this is set to 1 then the bot will act as if it is holding down the fire button (useful for the Heavy). 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_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	This will add text to bot names, apparently used for testing during development, some examples: "Yet more Bot names, medium size", "Another bot", "This is a medium Bot", "This is a super long bot name t" 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	Deliver 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

Useful aliases and binds

sv_lan 1

sv_cheats 1

mp_teams_unbalance_limit 0

alias +bot_shoot_primary "bot_selectweaponslot 0; bot_forceattack 1"

alias -bot_shoot_primary "bot_selectweaponslot 0; bot_forceattack 0"

alias +bot_shoot_secondary "bot_selectweaponslot 1; bot_forceattack 1"

alias -bot_shoot_secondary "bot_selectweaponslot 1; bot_forceattack 0"

bind n +bot_shoot_primary

bind m +bot_shoot_secondary

Pressing n will cause the bot to switch to its primary weapon and fire once. Pressing m will cause the bot to switch to its secondary weapon and fire once. Press each key repeatedly to fire repeatedly. If you want to use secondary fire for a particular weapon (e.g. detonate demoman sticky bombs or bat a ball from the sandman), type in bot_forceattack2 1 in the console to enable secondary fire, then press the bound key, then bot_forceattack2 0 to switch back to primary fire. Of course you could also bind these to a key...

Example Scripts

1. Create a server and load a map (Gravelpit works well as a map since there is just the one respawn room, or the achievement maps with the open spawn areas).
2. Join as a BLU Engineer and stay in the respawn room.
3. Bring down console and type:

   sv_cheats 1

   mp_teams_unbalance_limit 0

   bot -class Engineer

   bot_mimic_yaw_offset 0

   bot_mimic 1

   This will spawn a BLU Engineer bot by the name of "bot01" which will do what you do, including walking around and selecting/firing weapons. However, it will not build anything if you build it. You can make it select the build menu, but cannot actually select a menu item when you do. Thankfully, there is the BUILD command and the bot_command that can make the bot issue commands.

4. Bring down console and type:

   bot_command bot01 "build 3"

   This will start the build process with the Engineer holding his toolbox, the bot should be seeing the blueprint now.

5. Close the console and press your fire button - this will start the Sentry building. Keep pressing the fire button to make the bot hit the Sentry with his Wrench to build it faster, and if you want add Metal to it. If you want to increase the Sentry's level then you need to give the bot more Metal with the bot_refill console command.

Other examples

1. The following will create a red medic and a red soldier who fire continously until they are out of ammo. The medic ends up with a medigun set to heal any other player who passes them or an enemy spy. The soldier ends up bashing away with his melee weapon unless he ends up above a supply of ammunition I which case he will continually fire rockets (good for deflection practice).

sv_cheats 1

mp_teams_unbalance_limit 0

bot -team red -class medic

bot -team red -class soldier

bot_mimic 0

bot_forceattack 1

bot_selectweaponslot 1

sv_cheats 0

retry

1. The following will create a red sniper who continously scopes in and a red spy who cloaks and decloaks. The retry after turning sv_cheats off gives you a clean session.

sv_cheats 1

mp_teams_unbalance_limit 0

bot -team red -class sniper

bot -team red -class spy

bot_selectweaponslot 1

bot_mimic 0

bot_forceattack 1

bot_forceattack2 1

sv_cheats 0

retry

1. The following gives you three red scouts and three red heavies.

sv_cheats 1

mp_teams_unbalance_limit 0

bot -team red -class scout

bot -team red -class scout

bot -team red -class scout

bot -team red -class heavyweapons

bot -team red -class heavyweapons

bot -team red -class heavyweapons

sv_cheats 0

retry