Combat Cover

Combat Cover – Advanced AI Cover System

Created by Coverfire & Alex Shepherd

Combat Cover is an advanced, creator-driven AI cover system designed to give mission makers and map builders full control over how and where AI soldiers fight.

At its core, this mod introduces specialized cover props representing standing, crouching, and prone soldiers. These props can be placed anywhere in the map editor or mission editor and subtly embedded beneath the terrain. Once in combat, AI units will dynamically move to and occupy these exact positions—matching the posture of the prop used. Standing cover stays standing. Crouching stays crouched. Prone stays low. Simple, predictable, and powerful.

The result is deliberate, intelligent combat behavior exactly where you want it.

This system was heavily tested and refined to ensure stability, reliability, and smooth AI behavior under fire. After extensive iteration, it now runs cleanly and consistently, even in complex combat scenarios.

Why it exists

The original inspiration came from tactical gameplay seen in Gates of Hell, where AI positioning feels intentional and grounded. We wanted to bring that same level of control into Easy Red 2—but in a way that empowers creators rather than locking behavior to predefined terrain.

With Combat Cover, creators can:

Design custom defensive lines anywhere on the map

Create realistic trench, hedgerow, street, or building cover

Build formations—yes, even classic line-battle style ranks

Shape AI flow and battlefield choreography with precision

Whether you’re crafting a historical scenario, a cinematic moment, or a brutal firefight, this mod lets you tell the AI exactly where the fight should happen.

Each Combat Cover prop is equal to one cover slot each. You will notice that each one on the rear side of the prop has an image with the type of stance the AI will take when engaged with the enemy, while the front side of the prop states clearly and in red "Front Towards Enemy". So think of them like laying down a claymore.

Once you have them set in the positions of your liking, hide the prop directly below where it was placed. I recommend not burying it too deep (as you don’t want the cover slot game object to not be registered by the AI), but rather just bury it to the point where the prop has just disappeared within whatever it is you are hiding it under. In this example, you will notice it is buried into the ground.

And then watch the AI take cover positions more suited to the cover they are behind or going prone when not behind cover!

This project was a true collaboration, built with care, testing, and a lot of excitement. We’re incredibly proud of how it turned out—and we’re thrilled to finally share it with the community.

We hope you enjoy using Combat Cover as much as we enjoyed making it.
Happy building—and may your AI always find cover at exactly the right moment.
— Coverfire & Alex Shepherd