combat-basics

name	combat_basics
description	Generic combat tactics for the Numen entity - target authorization, melee_attack vs ranged_attack choice, drops, retreat rules, and aggro pitfalls.

Skill: combat_basics

Load this support skill before a combat-heavy phase.

Choose and authorize targets

Combat tools do not scan by mob type. First call scan_nearby_entities, select the exact entities you intend to attack, then pass 1-20 returned runtime integer IDs:

{"entity_ids":[184,207,215]}

Players and mobs use the same ID field. Never guess IDs and never include an entity you do not intend to attack. The task re-resolves moving targets every tick, paths across terrain when they are far away, and attacks only the authorized IDs.

Before the fight

1. Use get_self_status to check HP, equipment, food, and dimension.
2. Carry a sword or axe. melee_attack selects a usable melee weapon from the inventory and visibly switches it into the hand.
3. Keep dense food available and heal with eat_item before critical HP. Combat does not interrupt an active eating, potion, bow, or other use action.

After terrain-heavy travel, melee_attack can recover its weapon from the full inventory even if navigation temporarily selected a tool or block.

melee_attack vs ranged_attack

Situation	Tool	Why
Blazes	ranged_attack, or melee_attack when arrows are low	Range avoids fireball volleys
End crystals	ranged_attack	They explode and are not living melee targets
Dragon flying	ranged_attack	It is outside melee reach
Dragon perched	melee_attack	Use the melee window
Endermen	melee_attack	They evade arrows
Common mobs and food animals	melee_attack	Preserve arrows and collect drops automatically

Bow and crossbow combat stays in ranged_attack; never pass those fights to melee_attack.

During and after melee

The task follows the nearest authorized living entity while it is out of reach, waits for weapon switching, target recovery and vanilla attack cooldown, aims visibly, stops sprinting before the hit, and uses the native melee attack. If it is crowded inside its preferred reach while waiting to swing, it backs away before re-engaging. If the target moves out of reach, it resumes following.

After every kill, target selection pauses while the body walks over newly spawned drops around that death point. Do not call collect_items for ordinary melee drops. The final result reports defeated, lost and unreachable IDs plus loot_gained.

Retreat rules

Combat tasks run in the background. Check task_finished and get_self_status between engagements.

• HP <= 8: stop the task, move 20+ blocks away, heal, then scan again because runtime IDs may have changed.
• Weapon about to break or no arrows: disengage and restock.
• Before a long goto, clear or outrun active pursuers.
• Avoid cliff edges, lava corridors, deep water, and cramped ledges where knockback or drops become unsafe.

Aggro pitfalls

• Zombified piglins group-aggro. Do not authorize one unless the group fight is intentional.
• Piglins attack players without gold armor.
• Endermen teleport during melee; rescanning may be needed if one leaves the loaded world.
• Wither skeletons apply Wither; kill quickly or stay at range.

Per-enemy tactics live in blaze_rods, ender_pearls, and dragon_combat. Gear progression lives in tier_progression.