I see. I'll use the competitive version and edit out the cvars that make them attack faster (if it's possible), I just like the AI behaviors not the faster boomers/smokers etc.

@Xenovya I think special infected spawning when the witch is aggroed is a feature only in my `Special Infected Synchronization (Competitive)` add-on. Of course, my `Special Infected Synchronization (AI+)` add-on can allow special infected to spawn closer to survivors and attack more efficiently without changing their stats to what they are in Versus.

From what I understand:

Sync only makes them spawn together.
AI+ makes them have these smarter behaviors like attacking when a Witch is angry and so on
Competitive adjusts some of their stats.

If so then I think AI+ is my favorite.

@Yorukaze You can add the `PreferredSpecialDirection` variable to the `sessionoptions.txt` file located in the `./ems/sisync-ai+/` directory and set it to `3` to make special infected prefer to spawn in front of survivors.

they rarely spawn same on sync only. i like this script cuz it makes the campaign a bit challenging.

Also it's easier to solo imo because they spawn behind

Can i make the special infected always spawn to whoever's ahead? Because i can easily rush while they spawn behind on my teammates while i have this mod on, i've noticed the same thing with sisync comp.

@Rtma Eros Paragon The `EFL_NO_THINK_FUNCTION` constant variable prevents the entity from performing its think functions.

To learn more about these constant variables, I recommend viewing the Garry's Mod Wiki. [wiki.facepunch.com]

What exactly does this function do that is missing currently?

@Rtma Eros Paragon It turns out I forgot to add the `EFL_NO_THINK_FUNCTION` constant variable to the `Sync Only` and `AI+` versions of the `Special Infected Synchronization` add-ons. I'll have to fix this error in the next update.

I am experiencing my console being filled with these error messages lately, any idea on how to fix?

LOCALS
[@ITERATOR@] 1
[camera] INSTANCE
[@INDEX@] 0
[cameras] ARRAY
[this] TABLE
[alive_survivors] TABLE
[this] TABLE
[specials] TABLE
[alive_survivors] TABLE
[total_survivors] TABLE
[this] TABLE

AN ERROR HAS OCCURED [the index 'EFL_NO_THINK_FUNCTION' does not exist]

CALLSTACK
*FUNCTION [IsCameraActive()] scripts/vscripts/sisync-ai+_logicmanager.nut line [23]
*FUNCTION [IsCutscenePlaying()] scripts/vscripts/sisync-ai+_logicmanager.nut line [10]
*FUNCTION [UpdateScope()] scripts/vscripts/sisync-ai+_scopemanager.nut line [33]

Is it normal that it disables my means of finding the dead locked up?

ツ Apparently, I forgot to add the link to the guide while I was editing my comment. Nevertheless, you can set up a local Versus server to use this add-on. Here's the guide that'll show you how to modify the `addonconfig.cfg` file in the `./left4dead2/cfg/` directory.

Can it be done if the vpk method is used?

ツ Since this add-on uses VScripts, the only way you can use it in Versus would be to set the value of the `versus` variable underneath `RestrictAddons` to `0` and then create a local server. For more details, you can view this guide which shows you how to enable add-ons in Versus on local servers.

works on vs?

@exactly 1 knight If you want to play campaigns as if it were Versus, then I recommend installing the `Special Infected Synchronization (Competitive)` add-on instead as the `MaxSpecials` option is set to `4` by default which will allow up to four special infected to spawn at once.

Is making all 4 special infected spawn at the same time as simple as changing "MaxSpecials" to 4? I wonder if you could pseudo-recreate a VS mode like experience this way? (Without the kicking and racial slurs, of course.)

@Sasha Pines (no brain) At one point, the `MaxSpecials` variable was set to `3` as I figured that three special infected normally spawned in official campaigns. However, I realized that the third special infected only spawned as soon as one of the active special infected was killed.

Because I figured that some campaigns would modify either the `cm_MaxSpecials` or `MaxSpecials` variable at certain times (ex. the finale in Chapter 3 of The Passing), I let the Director handle those two variables automatically instead of manually setting them at specified values.

question why there only 2 si spawn at a time instead 4 like older version i renember ?

@Wenda I don't think this add-on has any impact on the amount of Witches that spawn in a map.

does this increase the amount of witches per map?

oh thank you

@Wenda I played the first chapter of The Passing with this add-on disabled, and the Tank still spawns before I reached the primary weapons. The only difference I encountered is that the Tank didn't attack until I actually saw him because the `cm_AggressiveSpecials` variable is normally set to `false` by default.

If you want an easier time going against the Tank in the first chapter of The Passing, I recommend setting the `AllowAggressiveSpecials` option in the `settings.txt` file to `false` so he doesn't immediately attack as soon as he spawns.

also with multiple witches spawning a map

im having an issue on some campaigns where a tank can spawn a lot earlier than he should
examples being on the passing before you can get to the tier 1 guns or during the intro of cold stream

does this effect tank spawns at all?

thanks to your detailed explanation!

@.√ᴇɴℊᴇᴀɴᴄᴇ While this add-on doesn't disable the Charger's damage resistance during his charge animation, the `Special Infected Synchronization (Competitive)` add-on includes the `ModifyChargeHealth` option in the `settings.txt` file located in the `./ems/sisync-comp/` directory which will allow the Charger to take normal damage while charging.

does this script disable the 66% melee attack resistance on Charger? (while in charging)

@Destructible Dummy After looking through my VScripts in this add-on, it turns out the `DynamicSpecialTimer` option wasn't actually in the `settings.txt` file. I'll have to update this add-on to resolve this issue.

Instead of actually working, it got me an error:
AN ERROR HAS OCCURED [the index 'DynamicSpecialTimer' does not exist]

CALLSTACK
*FUNCTION [ManualRespawnOverrider()] scripts/vscripts/sisync-ai+_infectedmanager.nut line [145]
*FUNCTION [SpecialRespawnModifier()] scripts/vscripts/sisync-ai+_infectedmanager.nut line [180]
*FUNCTION [UpdateScope()] scripts/vscripts/sisync-ai+_scopemanager.nut line [47]

LOCALS
[survivor_percentage] 1
[total_survivors] TABLE
[alive_survivors] TABLE
[this] TABLE
[total_survivors] TABLE
[alive_survivors] TABLE
[this] TABLE
[specials] TABLE
[alive_survivors] TABLE
[total_survivors] TABLE
[this] TABLE

There's an error whenever I change the variable in the settings confg:

InitialSpawnDelayMax = 120
InitialSpawnDelayMin = 60

OverrideInitialSpawnDelay = true
OverrideRespawnInterval = true
RespawnIntervalMax = 60
RespawnIntervalMin = 60

Additionally, I've tested without some addons that modifies Special AI like (Competitive Bots), yet again, it's not working for some reason; deleting the ems file is a thing to reboot this issue but its still persists. Thank you

Thanks for the information, I am testing those now.

@Rtma Eros Paragon You can modify the options in the `settings.txt` file located in the `sisync-ai` folder.

As for the mob and special directions, here are the options the numbers are referring to according to the Director Scripts wiki page :
---
SPAWN_NO_PREFERENCE = -1
SPAWN_ANYWHERE = 0
SPAWN_BEHIND_SURVIVORS = 1
SPAWN_NEAR_IT_VICTIM = 2
SPAWN_SPECIALS_IN_FRONT_OF_SURVIVORS = 3
SPAWN_SPECIALS_ANYWHERE = 4
SPAWN_FAR_AWAY_FROM_SURVIVORS = 5
SPAWN_ABOVE_SURVIVORS = 6
SPAWN_IN_FRONT_OF_SURVIVORS = 7
SPAWN_VERSUS_FINALE_DISTANCE = 8
SPAWN_LARGE_VOLUME = 9
SPAWN_NEAR_POSITION = 10

I still do not know what the numbers used for direction of mobs/si and a descriptive list to choose from.

Which file actually applies the settings? the one in the aisync-ai folder or cfg?

@Dread-Captain Ephrer Atargrius That's not good. I've tried running this add-on without any other add-ons enabled and special infected were able to spawn after waiting for the initial spawn delay to be met (usually 30-60 seconds).

In the meantime, could you check the console by pressing the ` key to see if any errors pop up? Afterwards, could you try disabling all your other add-ons besides this one to see if specials are able to spawn? If they do spawn, could you also try re-enabling each one to find the culprit?

for some reason this made no special infected spawn at all for me
im not sure what the issue is, no conflicting mods

Thanks for the details

@Tri Tran The `MaxSpecials` option isn't available for this add-on which is why the option you're trying to add will be removed when the map loads. If you want to modify the `MaxSpecials` option, I recommend using the `Special Infected Synchronization (Competitive)` add-on instead especially since it contains many more options in the `./ems/sisync-comp/` directory.

As for `z_tank_speed 240`, the add-on will simply modify command variables if they exist in-game which is how you're able to add new ones to the `convars.txt` file.

Hello, why I cannot add "MaxSpecials" to "/ems/sisync-ai+/settings.txt"? It will restore default.
but, i can add "z_tank_speed 240" to "convars.txt"

@☣ROBLOX, NwiKing☣ Yes, setting the `ShouldAllowSpecialsWithTank` option in the `settings.txt` file located in the `./ems/sisync-ai+/` directory will allow the special infected to spawn while the Tank is active.

ShouldAllowSpecialsWithTank = true right?

I trust you'll address the issue promptly. Thank you.

@Tri Tran That's not good. I'll have to look into this.

"AN ERROR HAS OCCURED [the index 'MaxSpecials' does not exist]

CALLSTACK
*FUNCTION [unknown()] scripts/vscripts/sisync-ai+.nut line [167]
*FUNCTION [unknown()] scripts/vscripts/sisync-ai+.nut line [260]

LOCALS
[exception] "the index 'cm_MaxSpecials' does not exist"
[this] TABLE
[specials] TABLE
[survivors] TABLE
[this] TABLE"

Please, help me! SI don't' appear in campaign

@Xeno :] That depends on the campaign you're playing and whether the Director decides to modify either the `MaxSpecials` or `cm_MaxSpecials` variable. For instance, The Passing's final chapter will set the `MaxSpecials` variable to `5` once the finale begins and will be changed to `3` during Tank fights.

https://github.com/Stabbath/L4D2-Decompiled/blob/master/Decompiled%20VScripts/c6m3_port_finale.nut

So it would be random sometimes it could be 2 or 4 SI will appear?

@Xeno :] I decided to let the Director automatically handle the amount of special infected for the `Only Sync` and `AI+` version since I originally wanted these add-ons to synchronize their spawns without changing the gameplay too much.