[Python] How to generate random numbers for either/or choice of events

[jkp1187]

Hello!

Another question for you wonderful people: how can I generate a random number such that, depending on the results, one and only one of several possible additional events will trigger?

If I can go back to my paper & pencil roots, I just want to set up a simple single-iteration D100 roll, then if the result is 1-33, trigger event A, if the result is 33-67, trigger event B, if the roll is 68-100, take no action.

I assume from poking around that getSorenRandNum is going to factor into the answer. I didn't see any examples in the existing code for what I wanted to do, though.... (I tried! I really looked this time!)

In the events XML files, there is a chance to trigger additional events...but it doesn't appear that you can set those up in an either/or fashion. You can set up multiple possible additional events, but the % chance for triggering is rolled individually, so theoretically, ALL of those additional events could be triggered simultaneously.

Thanks.

 

[zyphyr]

I don't do a whole lot of Python work, so the syntax here is going to be off but it will essentially look like this :

SomeVariable = getSorenRandNum(100)
If SomeVariable < 33 then
// code for possibility 1
else if SomeVariable <67
// code for possibility 2

 

[jkp1187]

Right. So I suppose it would go something like this:

def applyEVENT1(argsList):

   pPlayer = gc.getPlayer(kTriggeredData.ePlayer)
   SomeVariable = getSorenRandNum(100)
   tEvent1 = CvUtil.findInfoTypeNum(gc.getEventTriggerInfo, gc.getNumEventTriggerInfos(),'EVENTTRIGGER_EVENT_1')
   tEvent2 = CvUtil.findInfoTypeNum(gc.getEventTriggerInfo, gc.getNumEventTriggerInfos(),'EVENTTRIGGER_EVENT_2')

f SomeVariable < 33 then:

    pPlayer.trigger(tEvent1)

elif SomeVariable < 67 then:
    
    pPlayer.trigger(tEvent2)

elif SomeVariable < 100 then:

   return False

But isn't there a danger that if, for instance, SomeVariable = 20 then both tEvent1 and tEvent2 would get triggered? Or does the if/then statement preclude this?

 

[Dale]

This is what you should be aiming for:

     def doEventTrigger(self):
               # Get random num 0 - 99
               iRandNum = (gc.getGame().getSorenRandNum(100, "D100 Roll") + 1)
               if (iRandNum > 67):
                    # Do nothing
                    return
               if (iRandNum < 34):
                    # Trigger Event A
               else:
                    #Trigger Event B
               return

The if statements firstly get rid of the "do nothing" segment of the dice roll. Then since it's "one or the other" it's a simple if .. else .. statement.

 

[jkp1187]

Thanks, Dale.

Is there an upper limit on how large the random number can be?

 

[Seven05]

Yes, but it's stupidly high

65535 I believe, could be wrong though since i never really tried anything higher.

 

[jkp1187]

65535? That's not high. I was hoping to do a 1:1,000,000 shot.

 

[Seven05]

So generate two numbers

 

[Dale]

I have no idea when a 1 in a million shot would be needed. Seems pointless in a game of a thousand or two turns.

And the odds you wanted for your events could easily have been 1 in 3 instead of 33 in 100 as you have it now.

 

[jkp1187]

Hey -- I was going to fine-tune the odds, too. I wanted a 45.6298557% chance of this one event happening. It was vital.

 

[Deon]

Don't you afraid of the float rounding error then?
It could become 45.6298557000003%!!!! What a terrible thing!

 

[jkp1187]

Hey, please forgive the question if the answer is blindingly obvious...but if I use:

 iRandNum = (gc.getGame().getSorenRandNum(100, "D100 Roll") + 1)

...will the game potentially generate a "0" as one of the random numbers? I am assuming this is why Dale added the "+1" at the end. So if I actually want to use an unmodified result to provide 1:100 odds, I would have to generate a random number up to 99:

(gc.getGame().getSorenRandNum(99, "D100 Roll")

Reason I'm asking is because I want to provide a binary either/or random choice -- if 1: do x, if 2: do z. But if zero will be generated, then I should set it up as if 0: do x, if 1: do z.

Thanks.

 

[Dale]

Yes, python is like most languages where if you ask for random(X) you get 0>y>X, but not inclusive of X.

So for random(2) you would check for 0 or 1.