NPC Populations WAAAAY down since 0.58.4

[Enth]

Good morning all...

After updating to the latest patch (0.58.4), I've noticed a few things:

1. NPC Population is nearly non-existent in the south, and in the north, I rarely see the usual Dust bandit patrls/starving bandit gangs/cannibal hordes running amok. Most of what I see now are Samurais/Holy Servants & Paladins/Mercenary Captain & Mercenaries.

2. Trade caravans are non-existent anywhere on the map. Even after setting up my outpost at the desert crossroads in the northern part of the map (North of Brink), setting my base and the building which houses my large shop counter and stocking it full to the rim with the three B's (Booze, Bread & Bandages), I have yet to see a single trade caravan after over 30 days of game time.

I am starting with the scenario "Rock Bottom", though I don't think it makes a difference. Is anyone else experiencing the lack of NPC traffic lately with their copy of the game? Or is it just me...

Happy New Year to all!

Enth

[Cat_Fuzz]

I've noticed an increase in the number of NPC patrols, however you are correct in that there seem to be fewer aggressive factions patrolling - this could however be due to the increased number of neutral NPCs patrolling and defeating these units.

As for Trader caravans - they do spawn but I've noticed that their AI package is not functioning properly as when they do spawn they are stood still and doing nothing.

[Enth]

Ahh...OK. So it's not my imagination then that they're not moving away from their spawn points. Maybe Chris can hot-fix this, or tell us where to look in the FCS to tweak it (Forgotten Construction set).

Guess I'll keep my own caravans up and running for the foreseeable future.

[Santaissick]

Also, there have been some who have said that the cannibals were so OP they kept killing all the other NPCs. That might have some affect.

[Takoul]

I've not noticed OP cannibals myself. I do see patrols in the dunes, not deep but I'm guessing their pathing/ai doesn't take them to the north map edge.
Looking forward to peoples feedback on the pop. sliders. Images of dunes knee deep in corpses to follow?

[hbrown]

I still did not faced this cannibals myself, but saw in fight, and i still wonder how can they be OP? They have average if i am not wrong, as good as a dust bandit or not? They got no armor and their weaponry is not that good, i guess only strength they have then is numbers? Or their hut and run tatics?

[philthymcnasty]

I have been soloing the cannibals. They are not as tough as dust bandits or sand ninjas, but tougher then starving bandits.

My question: what is their default armor? because the appear to take damage better then dust bandits.

The do VERY poorly against anyone with heavy armor. I saw a samurai patrol wonder into a village, and clear it out with no causalities. The holy empire troops seem to handle them well too.

[hbrown]

They have no armour, all they have as equipment is their knifes, i mean cleavers.

[Santaissick]

This goes a little off-topic but I'd like cannibals to carry bones like settlers in original age of empires Or at least weapons made of bone...

[hbrown]

ahah, was thinking the same, they should have adjournments made of bones of their victims, was planning to try to build some stuff myself if i could work any good with blendr (gona start to try mod some stuff)

[Hatsune_Neko]

maybe in the future.
it is a nice idea for them =(^.^)=

[Clorox]

I've also noticed a large decrease in the number of enemy factions. I started with "Rock Bottom" and I traveled to each central town in the south and then all the way up to Shark and only encountered one bandit. At first I was like, "wow, I sure am lucky" and then I just got sad, haha.

[Gauge]

Just started playing again, also noticed a lack in activity. in 3 hours of base building I had only 1 ninja attack me. Its like a ghost town even after I set population to 4.