Berniebrain

Based on game build 714014 | Last updated: 2026-02-27

Overview

The BernieBrain component implements the behavior tree for the "Bernie" character (shaggy monster). It handles leader detection based on player sanity and relationship conditions, coordination of taunting nearby sanity-based creatures, and triggering of the transformation into "Big Bernie" when specific proximity and player state conditions are met. It extends Brain, uses the behavior tree (BT) system, and relies on the Combat and Timer components to manage targeting and cooldowns, and the Sanity component (indirectly via deprecated IsCrazy usage) to verify player sanity states.

Dependencies & Tags

• Components used:
  • combat: accessed via target.components.combat:TargetIs(), :CanTarget(), :SetTarget()
  • timer: accessed via self.inst.components.timer:TimerExists(name) to check for cooldown timers
  • sanity: accessed indirectly via deprecated self._leader.components.sanity:IsCrazy() call (commented out in current code)
• Tags checked (via inst:HasTag() or passed to FindEntities): shadowcreature, _combat, locomotor, INLIMBO, notaunt, bernieowner
• Tags added/removed: None directly within this brain; relies on external tags attached to inst and targets.

Properties

Property	Type	Default Value	Description
_targets	table or nil	nil	List of valid tauntable shadow creatures within range; set during behavior tree evaluation.
_leader	entity or nil	nil	The current leader player the Bernie is following or targeting for "Big Bernie" transformation; updated each frame or conditionally.

Main Functions

BernieBrain:OnStart()

• Description: Initializes and assigns the behavior tree for Bernie. This is the entry point called when the brain begins executing. It constructs a priority-based behavior tree with nodes for transformation, taunting, leader presence checks, following, and wandering.
• Parameters: None.
• Returns: None.

IsTauntable(inst, target)

• Description: A helper function used by FindShadowCreatures and TauntCreatures. Determines if a given entity qualifies as a valid target for taunting by Bernie (i.e., has a combat component, is not already targeting Bernie, and can be targeted by Bernie).
• Parameters:
  • inst: The Bernie entity instance.
  • target: The candidate target entity.
• Returns: boolean — true if target can be taunted, otherwise false.

FindShadowCreatures(inst)

• Description: Scans the area around Bernie for nearby entities tagged as shadowcreature (and with _combat and locomotor tags) while excluding those tagged with INLIMBO or notaunt. Filters the results to retain only those that are tauntable per IsTauntable.
• Parameters: inst — the Bernie entity instance.
• Returns: A table of valid tauntable shadow creatures if any exist within TAUNT_DIST (16 units); otherwise nil.

TauntCreatures(self)

• Description: Assigns Bernie as the current target of all entities listed in self._targets using the combat component, and transitions Bernie into the "taunt" state if at least one creature was successfully taunted.
• Parameters:
  • self: The brain instance (carries _targets and inst).
• Returns: None.

FindLeader(self)

• Description: Searches through all players to find the closest valid leader. A leader must be visible, on the same platform as Bernie, and satisfy either isleadercrazy or hotheaded relationship checks. Selection prioritizes proximity (uses squared distance comparisons for efficiency).
• Parameters: self — the brain instance.
• Returns: The closest qualifying player entity or nil if none found.

GetLeader(self)

• Description: Validates the currently cached _leader. If the leader is no longer valid (not existing, not visible, not satisfying sanity/relationship checks), it clears _leader to nil. Note: The sanity check uses the deprecated IsCrazy() call, which is commented out in the current logic.
• Parameters: self — the brain instance.
• Returns: The valid leader entity or nil.

countbigbernies(leader)

• Description: Returns the number of Bernie entities currently registered under leader.bigbernies, used to track how many Bernies have transformed for a given player.
• Parameters: leader — the player entity with a bigbernies table.
• Returns: number — the count of Bernies.

ShouldGoBig(self)

• Description: Determines if Bernie should transform into "Big Bernie". A qualifying player must have the "bernieowner" tag, must not have initialized bigbernies or blockbigbernies tables, must satisfy isleadercrazy or hotheaded checks, must be visible, and must be within BIG_LEADER_DIST_SQ (64 units, i.e., 8 units squared).
• Parameters: self — the brain instance.
• Returns: boolean — true if transformation conditions are met; otherwise false. Also sets self._leader to the qualifying player.

OnEndBlockBigBernies(leader)

• Description: Cleans up the blockbigbernies timer on the leader after .5 seconds, unblocking further Big Bernie transformations from other Bernies.
• Parameters: leader — the player entity.
• Returns: None.

DoGoBig(inst, leader)

• Description: Initiates transformation into "Big Bernie". Prevents race conditions by setting a .5 second block timer (blockbigbernies) on the leader if not already present, and calls inst:GoBig(leader).
• Parameters:
  • inst: The Bernie entity instance.
  • leader: The player entity to link the transformation to.
• Returns: None.

Events & Listeners

• Listens to: None. Behavior is driven by explicit state transitions and behavior tree evaluation, not event listeners.
• Pushes: None. Transitions are handled by calling self.inst.sg:GoToState(...).