ai_ally_manager

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Ai ally manager.png

ai_ally_manager is a point entity available in the Half-Life 2 series. It monitors the number and type of npc_citizen allies and responds accordingly. When this entity receives a Replenish input, it will count the number of allies and send outputs based on how many allies are needed to match this entity's keyvalues. Also fires an output when all allies and/or all medics are dead.

Notes:

  • Outputs can be used for purposes aside from spawning more NPCs.
  • More than one ai_ally_manager can exist.
  • Won't count more than 10 allies.

This entity is also in the code for Portal. Its functionality is not guaranteed.


In code, it is represented by theCAI_AllyManagerclass, defined in theai_allymanager.cppfile.

ConVars/Commands

Cvar/CommandParameters or default valueDescriptorEffect
ai_ally_manager_debug00 disables, 1 enablesPeriodically prints the count of allies and medics to the console. Requires developer 1.

Keyvalues

Maximum number of allies (maxallies) <integer>
Maximum number of allies.
Maximum number of medics (maxmedics) <integer>
Maximum number of allies that are medics.

Base:
Name (targetname) <string>
The name that other entities use to refer to this entity.
Parent (parentname) <targetname>
Maintain the same initial offset to this entity. An attachment point can also be used if separated by a comma at the end. (parentname [targetname],[attachment])
Tip.pngTip:Entities transition to the next map with their parents
Tip.pngTip:phys_constraint can be used as a workaround if parenting fails.
Origin (X Y Z) (origin) <coordinates>
The position of this entity's center in the world. Rotating entities typically rotate around their origin.
Note.pngNote:Hammer does not move the entities accordingly only in the editor.
Pitch Yaw Roll (X Y Z) (angles) <angle>
This entity's orientation in the world. Pitch is rotation around the Y axis, yaw is the rotation around the Z axis, roll is the rotation around the X axis.
Note.pngNote:This works on brush entities, although Hammer doesn't show the new angles.
Classname (classname) <string> !FGD
Determines the characteristics of the entity before it spawns.
Tip.pngTip:Changing this on runtime still has use, like making matching an entry in S_PreserveEnts will persist the entity on new rounds!
Flags (spawnflags) <integer> !FGD
Toggles exclusive features of an entity, its specific number is determined by the combination of flags added.
Effects (effects) <integer> !FGD
Combination of effect flags to use.

Inputs

SetMaxAllies <integer>
Set maximum number of allies.
SetMaxMedics <integer>
Set maximum number of medic allies.
Replenish
Spawn more allies as requested by the keyvalues.

Base:
AddContext <string>
Adds to the entity's list of response contexts. See Context.
AddOutput <string>
Assigns a new keyvalue/output on this entity. For keyvalues, some rely on extra necessary code to be ran and won't work if its simply just changed through this input. There is a strict format that must be followed:
// Format of changing KeyValues: "AddOutput [key] [value]"
//// Raw text:
"OnUser1" "!self,AddOutput,targetname new_name"

// Format of adding an Output: "AddOutput {targetname}:{inputname}:{parameter}:{delay}:{max times to fire, -1 means infinite}"
//// Raw text:
"OnUser1" "!self,AddOutput,OnUser1:SetParent:!activator:0.0:-1"
// Arguments can be left blank, but the empty blank should still be contained.
//// Raw text:
"OnUser1" "!self,AddOutput,OnUser1:ClearParent::0.0:-1"
ClearContext
Removes all contexts from this entity's list.
ClearParent
Removes this entity from the the movement hierarchy, leaving it free to move independently.
FireUser1 to FireUser4
Fires the respectiveOnUseroutputs; see User Inputs and Outputs.
Kill
Removes this entity and any entities parented to it from the world.
KillHierarchy
Functions the same as Kill, although this entity and any entities parented to it are killed on the same frame, being marginally faster thanKillinput.
RemoveContext <string>
Remove a context from this entity's list. The name should match the key of an existing context.
SetParent <string>
Move with this entity. See Entity Hierarchy (parenting).
SetParentAttachment <string>
Change this entity to attach to a specific attachment point on its parent. The entity will teleport so that the position of its root bone matches that of the attachment. Entities must be parented before being sent this input.
SetParentAttachmentMaintainOffset <string>
As above, but without teleporting. The entity retains its position relative to the attachment at the time of the input being received.
Use  !FGD
Same as a player invoking +use; no effect in most cases.
DispatchResponse <string> !FGD
Dispatches a response to the entity. See Response and Concept.
DispatchEffect <string> (removed since Left 4 Dead) !FGD
Dispatches a special effect from the entity's origin; See also List of Client Effects. Replaced by the particle system since Left 4 Dead.

Outputs

OnZeroAllies
Fired when there are no more allies.
OnZeroMedicAllies
Fired when there are no more medics left.
SpawnAlly0 to SpawnAlly9
Fired when allies 0 to 9 spawn.
SpawnMedicAlly
Fired when a medic ally spawns.

Base:

OnUser1 to OnUser4
These outputs each fire in response to the firing of the like-numbered FireUser1 to FireUser4 Input; see User Inputs and Outputs.