Better escort AI?

[Zonk]

Escort quests are nice but - although I understand they are supposed to be challenging - the escorted just behaves...weirdly.

If you are supposed to protect them, why would they attack/charge nearby enemies?

Instead they should retreat to a safe spot(perhaps towards the level entrance, where you meet them), or just run to the portal.

Also, slightly less relevant and more of a bug - if there's an escort around, you should not be allowed to rest. I did that once...Escort keep moving, and got killed.

[Final Master]

I see absolutely no problem with resting, just make sure that you can control the escort while resting, such as blocking their only way of movement with yourself. Being able to rest is a fundamental part of the success of the escort quests.

[Zonk]

Umh, that is a good point - I do know you can block them, yes. Perhaps if there was some way to tell them to stay still for a while(as in, some basic orders..)

edit: because if you're in an 'open' area(say, the Trollshaws), you might not find a tight corridor where you can put yourself to keep them from moving.

[Repton]

The escortee will follow a particular path towards the portal, only deviating from it if enemies appear. So even in an open area you can block them, you just have to figure out where they are going

[Grey]

Alas, blocking doesn't work if there are enemies in sight - the bloody escort will decide to bravely bravely get itself killed.

One thing I'd like for escort quests is if the escort stayed in sight of you. Far too often I've been busy trying to kill things coming from one direction and the damned escort will run off in the opposite direction to be massacred by another monster. Why did you ask me to escort you if you just carry on without me?!?! Fool of a Took!!

[Hedrachi]

Also if you're trying to be a wall to stop your escortee's stupidity, the AI will try to path around you if it can, thus it runs from the rattlesnake you can see to the cave troll you can't. Heh.

[Wombat]

I've seen many suicidal escortees myself. I agree that the UI should be updated to that they seem to want your protection. I suppose that having them join in the battle has a certain logic if they're next to you while you're fighting, but having them run off to attack unseen monsters is a bit much.