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Daywalkerbrain

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

Overview​

DaywalkerBrain is a Brain component responsible for the AI behavior of the Daywalker entity in Don't Starve Together. It constructs and manages a hierarchical behavior tree (self.bt) that dynamically selects actions based on combat state, cooldowns, and positional relationships with targets. The brain prioritizes three distinct combat modes: Kiting (dodging and initiating stalking), Stalking (maintaining optimal distance before an attack), and Chasing (pursuing and attacking). It integrates with combat tracking, known locations (for leash to home), and timer utilities to enforce attack restrictions and recovery states.

Dependencies & Tags​

  • Components used:
    • combat (inst.components.combat): used to query/modify target, cooldown state, and reset attacks.
    • knownlocations (inst.components.knownlocations): used to retrieve the "prison" home location for leash behavior.
    • timer (inst.components.timer): used to check if the "stalk_cd" timer exists.
  • Tags: None explicitly added or removed by this brain itself. It relies on entity tags (INLIMBO, playerghost, etc.) via the HUNTER_PARAMS configuration for filtering potential targets.

Properties​

PropertyTypeDefault ValueDescription
instEntityN/AReference to the entity instance this brain controls; inherited from Brain.
btBTnil (set in OnStart)Behavior tree instance constructed during OnStart, containing the root node hierarchy.

Note: No custom instance properties are initialized directly in the constructor; all logic is derived from methods and external component interactions.

Main Functions​

DaywalkerBrain:OnStart()​

  • Description: Initializes and assigns the root behavior tree node to self.bt. It defines the full priority-based decision tree that orchestrates combat and movement behaviors depending on the entity's state (e.g., kiting, stalking, chasing, idle). This function is called automatically when the brain component is started.
  • Parameters: None.
  • Returns: nil.

GetHomePos(inst)​

  • Description: Returns the stored home position for the Daywalker entity by querying the "prison" location from the knownlocations component. Used by the Leash behavior to ensure the entity returns to its designated home.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity) — the entity instance.
  • Returns: Vector3 or nil — the world position of the "prison" location.

ShouldStalk(inst)​

  • Description: Determines if the Daywalker should enter or remain in the Stalking state. Returns true only if currently stalking and the combat component is either in cooldown or lacks a target. Adjusts the hit_recovery value based on TUNING.DAYWALKER_STALK_HIT_RECOVERY or the default.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity).
  • Returns: boolean — true if the entity is stalking under valid conditions, otherwise false.

ShouldDodge(inst)​

  • Description: Determines if the Daywalker should enter Kiting mode (dodge/evade). Returns true only if the entity has a target, is in combat cooldown, and is not currently stalking. Sets hit_recovery to TUNING.DAYWALKER_DODGE_HIT_RECOVERY when active.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity).
  • Returns: boolean — true if kiting conditions are met, otherwise false.

ShouldChase(inst)​

  • Description: Determines if the Daywalker should enter the Chase state. Returns true if there is a target and the combat cooldown has expired.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity).
  • Returns: boolean — true if combat cooldown is ready and a target exists.

DoStalking(inst)​

  • Description: Computes a movement target for the Daywalker while stalking, approximating a diagonal strafe around the target at an optimal distance (4 to RUN_AWAY_DIST). Uses angular calculations and randomization to prevent linear tracking. Returns the target Vector3.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity).
  • Returns: Vector3 — the desired destination point during stalking; nil if no stalker target exists.

IsStalkingFar(inst)​

  • Description: Checks if the stalker target is beyond RUN_AWAY_DIST. Used by the "Stalking" state to ensure the entity doesn’t loiter too far while waiting to close in.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity).
  • Returns: boolean — true if a stalker target exists and is far.

IsStalkingTooClose(inst)​

  • Description: Checks if the stalker target is within the Daywalker’s attack range (TUNING.DAYWALKER_ATTACK_RANGE). Signals the entity is positioned to strike.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity).
  • Returns: boolean — true if a stalker target exists and is close enough to attack.

GetFaceTargetFn(inst)​

  • Description: Returns the entity’s current combat target (stored in inst.components.combat.target). Used by the FaceEntity behavior.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity).
  • Returns: Entity or nil — the current target.

KeepFaceTargetFn(inst, target)​

  • Description: Verifies that the entity is still facing the provided target by checking if inst.components.combat.target equals the argument.
  • Parameters: inst (Entity), target (Entity).
  • Returns: boolean — true if TargetIs returns true.

Events & Listeners​

None. This component does not register or push any events directly. It relies entirely on state graph state tags (e.g., jumping, tired) and component query methods (HasTarget, InCooldown, etc.) to drive behavior tree execution.