ae9b76aaa5
## Pull Request Description
Undead and Draenei bots get stuck in an idle/rest loop in their starting
zones because the default NPC scan range (150f) and quest giver filter
(80f) are too small and not enough. NPCs fall within range for
`WANDER_NPC` to activate (requires >= 3).
This adds a configurable area-based override that increases both ranges
to 200f only in affected areas. All other zones remain at default
values.
## Feature Evaluation
- **Minimum logic**: One `std::set::count()` lookup per `Calculate()`
call to check if the bot's current area is in the override list. If yes,
scan range is 200f instead of 150f.
- **Processing cost**: `GetAreaId()` is a cached uint32 read (~1ns).
`std::set::count()` on a 2-element set is O(log n) ≈ 1 comparison.
Negligible compared to the grid scan itself (~33,000-53,000ns).
## How to Test the Changes
1. Create Undead or Draenei bots (level 1)
2. Observe that they pick up quests and start moving in Deathknell/Ammen
Vale
3. Without this fix, they sit in REST status indefinitely
4. Optionally add/remove area IDs via
`AiPlayerbot.RpgScanRangeOverrideAreaIds` in playerbots.conf
## Impact Assessment
- Does this change increase per-bot/per-tick processing or risk scaling
poorly with thousands of bots?
- [x] Minimal impact
- pmon data (500 bots, extended run):
- Default 150f: 0.033ms avg
- Global 200f: 0.053ms avg
- Area check (this PR): 0.042ms avg
- The 0.009ms increase over default is caused by bots currently in
starting zones scanning at 200f. Bots outside override areas are
unaffected.
- Does this change modify default bot behavior?
- [x] No
- Does this change add new decision branches or increase maintenance
complexity?
- [x] No
- Uses the existing `LoadSet`/`std::set` config pattern already used
throughout the codebase.
## AI Assistance
- [x] Yes
- Used AI to speed up understanding the codebase, locate relevant
functions, and compare with the cmangos playerbots implementation. All
code was reviewed and tested manually.
## Final Checklist
- [x] Stability is not compromised.
- [x] Performance impact is understood, tested, and acceptable.
- [x] Added logic complexity is justified and explained.
- [x] Any new bot dialogue lines are translated.
- [x] Documentation updated if needed (Conf comments, WiKi commands).
## Notes for Reviewers
The root cause is that `WANDER_NPC` requires `possibleTargets.size() >=
3`, but sparse starting zones have fewer than 3 NPC-flagged units within
150f. Increasing the scan range to 200f brings enough NPCs into range
for the status check to pass. The override is configurable via
`AiPlayerbot.RpgScanRangeOverrideAreaIds` so server admins can add more
areas without code changes.
Playerbots Module
mod-playerbots is an AzerothCore module that adds player-like bots to a server. The project is based off IKE3's Playerbots.
Features include:
- The ability to log in alt characters as bots, allowing players to interact with their other characters, form parties, level up, and more
- Random bots that wander through the world, complete quests, and otherwise behave like players, simulating the MMO experience
- Bots capable of running most raids and battlegrounds
- Highly configurable settings to define how bots behave
- Excellent performance, even when running thousands of bots
We also have a Discord server where you can discuss the project, ask questions, and get involved in the community!
Installation
Supported platforms are Ubuntu, Windows, and macOS. Other Linux distributions may work, but may not receive support.
Important: All
mod-playerbotsinstallations require a custom fork of AzerothCore: mod-playerbots/azerothcore-wotlk (Playerbot branch). The standard AzerothCore repository will not work.
Quick Start
git clone https://github.com/mod-playerbots/azerothcore-wotlk.git --branch=Playerbot
cd azerothcore-wotlk/modules
git clone https://github.com/mod-playerbots/mod-playerbots.git --branch=master
Then build the server following the platform-specific instructions in our Installation Guide.
Testing branch: A
test-stagingbranch is available with the latest features and fixes before they are merged intomaster. To use it, clone with--branch=test-staginginstead. Note that this branch may contain unstable or breaking changes — use it at your own risk and only if you are comfortable troubleshooting issues.
Detailed Guides
| Guide | Description |
|---|---|
| Installation Guide | Full step-by-step instructions for clean installs, migrating from existing AzerothCore, Docker setup, adding modules, and updating |
| Troubleshooting | Solutions to the most common build errors, database issues, configuration mistakes, crashes, and platform-specific problems |
For additional references, see the AzerothCore Installation Guide and Installing a Module pages.
Documentation
The Playerbots Wiki contains an extensive overview of AddOns, commands, raids with programmed bot strategies, and recommended performance configurations. Please note that documentation may be incomplete or out-of-date in some sections, and contributions are welcome.
Bots are controlled via chat commands. For larger bot groups, this can be cumbersome. Because of this, community members have developed client AddOns to allow controlling bots through the in-game UI. We recommend you check out their projects listed in the AddOns and Submodules page.
Contributing
This project is still under development. We encourage anyone to make contributions, anything from pull requests to reporting issues. If you encounter any errors or experience crashes, we encourage you report them as GitHub issues. Your valuable feedback will help us improve this project collaboratively.
If you make coding contributions, mod-playerbots complies with the C++ Code Standards established by AzerothCore. Each Pull Request must include all test scenarios the author performed, along with their results, to demonstrate that the changes were properly verified.
We recommend joining the Discord server to make your contributions to the project easier, as a lot of active support is carried out through this server.
Please click on the "⭐" button to stay up to date and help us gain more visibility on GitHub!
Acknowledgements
mod-playerbots is based on ZhengPeiRu21/mod-playerbots and celguar/mangosbot-bots. We extend our gratitude to @ZhengPeiRu21 and @celguar for their continued efforts in maintaining the module.
Also, a thank you to the many contributors who've helped build this project: