I want to start off by saying that aside from the large number of bugs and glitches (on 360 at least) , I'm really enjoying FONV. That said, one particular aspect of combat is really starting to get on my nerves. It seems like nearly every NPC in the game, given the opportunity, will run at full speed in the general direction of their target while firing with no regard for accuracy or cover. Particularly in contrast to FO3, in which I felt like they moved in a more tactical way. I'm talking about ducking in and out of cover, strafing and slowing to a walk when firing. In NV the only time NPCs seem to do anything but charge is when they occasionally retreat while reloading, or when they get stuck on terrain. I've even seen enemies go so far as to switch from a decent firearm in favor of a distinctly inferior melee weapon once they reach their target. Anyone else noticed this?

I've noticed they do seem dumber. Sometimes they seem smarter. But the reason I switch to melee when I close distance with the enemy is because they stagger the enemy.

Seen the same behavior from FO3 for the most part.

I'm all but certain that ranged attacks can cause the target to be staggered. I think that effect is a result of crippling a body part. Although I have noticed that some weapons like the balistic fist and the super sledge will also knock an enemy back a few feet.

well especially if you get the super slam perk, but yes some melee weapons have aknock back effect. I think ur right that its from crippling limbs, but my machete does bonus limb damage so maybe thats why they stagger alot.

The CL troops tend to use poor ranged weapon tactics, but are much more dangerous sticking to melee. NCR like to stand while shooting and try to avoid melee. I guess it also depends on the unit type because legionaires, centurions, and recruits all seem to act a bit different when I fight them.

same behavior largely, different maps.

NPCs have a limited search radius for cover and there's less tactical cover in a lot of FONV maps: lots less low walls, trench networks, sandbag walls, concrete median dividers, ect.

Yeah, it could be the map layouts I suppose. Out of curiosity what systems do you play on? I played both on the 360.

I was more disappointed in the AI not making any attempt to avoid melee combat with my character. Having just completed a full on melee/unarmed walkthrough, I found that even the most badass of enemies will not engage in any 'human' tactics in regards to avoiding my pc and his fire-axe, or his giant blue sword wielding companion...
When you are fighting a melee NPC while using a firearm, do you not generally back up while firing, circle strafing, etc, in order to avoid the punishing short range attacks? Why don't the more intelligent enemies ever use these tactics?

I disagree with that. I'm currently playing a melee character and it seems everybody runs away from me when I get close to them. For example if I'm fighting an NCR trooper with my super sledge he keeps running away and it's a pain in the ass to hit him. I don't know why it would be different for your system.

Uh, they do?

At least the blasted NCR Trooper I was fighting last night did- I whipped out Knock Knock and had to chase him from Camp Searchlight almost to freaking Nipton with him running backwards and shooting all the way.

Then no fewer than 10 more of his buddies did the same while I was doing the endgame battle. 'Course it helped less then, they had the choice of standing while I beat them down or running and having Raul take them out.

PC version, for whatever difference that may or may not make.

I don't know what to tell you guys... The only time firearm wielding NPCs ever run from me is when I have damaged them enough to cripple some limbs or hit their weapon hard enough to launch it away. Even then, they don't act at all like a human player would, simply running a few meters and crouching ineffectively while they wait for me to WALK over and pound their skull through the openings in their face...

Oh, I'll grant they don't act bright all the time- but in my experience it's been about an even 50/50 split whether they backpedal and shoot, giving me fits, or stand there like axe fodder just waiting for Paul Bunyan to show up.

Even a 50/50 ratio would be nice... I completed my melee/unarmed playthrough a few days ago (my repeated failed attempts to start a new game are detailed elsewhere on these pages) and came to the conclusion that the weapons FEEL overpowered, but mostly because the AI makes so few attempts to deal with an obvious melee monster appropriately.... I know how my GUN characters deal with Deathclaws, and it's nothing like how an NCR Ranger or Veteran Centurian deals with my melee character.

The A.I. in this game is pretty stupid. I don't know about you but if I see three dead bodies around me I'm running in a damn house not standing around those three dead bodies. They only seem to take cover when they are almost dead and as been said they don't try to avoid your melee. I know they can't be expected to play like humans but there should be a little more common sense put into them. As I said in another thread, I think the problem is the game is too wide open and you don't get cornered enough.

They are slightly more annoying because instead of running straight like all other shooter, they follow the grid than turn towards you:confused:

Otherwise I think they have better "skill" in "guns" than they did in FO3, despite the later have "leveled" enemy.