Best WAC ever: player ID's and how to avoid unnecessary PLOOPs

Source: http://dfreload.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=1578

As I explained in another thread, extensive use of PLOOP, especially without triggers, is a major source for lag. Gamers hate lag!

My example below works with NILE. You won’t need to put AI in sequential order. Other editors not so, please follow Ozferal’s instructions to set up your AI. If you are not comfortable with writing your own wac from scratch this topic is not for you!!!

Step one:

First off, the code in the source is not very elegant. Let’s start with refactoring. You’ll only need to retrieve your ID once, not infinitely!

if never then
v250 = 0
endif

if v250 = false then
PLOOP
if ssndead player then
v250 = player
endif
END
endif
if ssndead v250 ENTER
text# “Player has died”,v250  //Here is the value for your player variable, write it down or memorize!
endif

Step two:

Now that you have the value of your player variable you will no longer need the code above, it was only for retrieving your ID and serves no purpose in your mission at all. Delete from your wac file!

Please do mind I use the values from one of my scripts! Each script will return a value that corresponds with the number of AI in YOUR map, do not copy and paste but execute the code above for each mission! Only if your map is made with NILE and has 152 AI you will get the same value.

if never then
v250 = 152  //This is the value generated by the script above
v251 = 153
etc.
endif

Now you can use v250 as ssn for the first player, v251 for the second player etc.

Some examples of many cool things you can do with such a variable:

if v1,1 then
GLOOP BATALLION1
if ssnalive item and ssnalive v250 then
ssnleadssn2ssn v250,item,xxxx //player v250 will lead the first batallion to ssn xxxx
endif
if ssnnearssn item,xxxx,25 then //here the batallion will stop following player and execute following order(s)
{#actions} item //e.g. send them on a waypoint list to secure the area independent of the player’s actions
endif
END
endif

I have not tested this, I believe the entire batallion may commit suicide if the player dies on the way to ssn xxxx

Handle with care!

PS: I can recommend to use TWO machines to retrieve player ID’s for the first and second player! If you cannot test and verify this it’s better not to use these commands!