Hi everyone,
I’d like to address the issue of players who bypass AFK detection by maintaining “fake activity.” These players stand in safe areas, spinning in circles or casting spells at nothing just to avoid being kicked.
1. Revamping AFK Detection Mechanics
The current system is too easy to fool. I propose changing the activity tracking to focus on meaningful interaction:
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Activity should be validated by damage dealt, healing done, or shields applied to other heroes (allies or enemies).
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Simply moving, picking up regen globes, or casting spells into thin air should no longer reset the AFK timer. This would force players to actually participate in the match to remain connected.
2. Smarter “Survival-First” AI for Disconnected Players
To complement stricter AFK rules, we need better AI for when a player is replaced. The current bots are often just “gold/XP bags” for the enemy. I suggest an AI logic based on Threat Assessment:
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Cooldown Awareness: The bot should constantly calculate the potential damage from nearby enemy abilities. If the enemy’s burst potential is high (abilities are off cooldown), the bot should prioritize maintaining a safe distance.
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Dynamic Aggression: When the enemy’s key abilities are on cooldown, the bot can slightly lower its safety threshold to contribute. As those cooldowns expire, it should preemptively retreat to a safer position.
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Intuitive Avoidance: The goal is a bot that intuitively avoids lethal zones and plays for maximum survival while still being “active” in the lane.
Implementing these two changes would drastically reduce the impact of both intentional “soft-AFK” griefers and the disadvantage of having a disconnected teammate.
Please upvote if you want to see a more robust system that rewards active play and punishes “fake” participation!