This mod changes party AI, moves, stats, and other parts to make them feel like they're worth the effort and have a purpose. Donald and Goofy have been given the most care, as they level up with the player, so they should level up in more concrete ways.

I just want to write briefly about why I made this mod. I've always enjoyed the KH gameplay and experience, and was sad to see that party members were reduced in this game to heals and mindless link attacks. They do not exist for any other purpose in base game. Which is honestly shocking seeing as the amount of work Square put into making the AI for the party. Does this in fact make the game easier? Technically yes, but many people play for various reasons, and loading out a party in an rpg is one reason. This mod aims to actually give a reason to think about your partners, plan and strategize what they will do and use their strengths and options.

Update Log:
-2.01 (07/03/23): HOTFIX: Removed Hercules bug reporter, removed springboard from Donald's Aero.
-2.00 (06/17/23): New AI for most keyblade wielders, AI fixes and ability balance changes for other existing characters
-1.14 (08/05/22): HOTFIX: Removed blank ability from Rapunzel, fixed initial starting abilities for Donald and others.
-1.13 (05/23/22): HOTFIX: Added Combo Master to player Aqua.
-1.12 (05/17/22): HOTFIX: Removed abilities from Sora accidentally added for testing purposes.
-1.1 (04/14/22): UPDATE: Added compatibility with Jaster's Better Guardians of Light. Goofy no longer spikes enemies when the player is also attacking the same enemy.
-1.02 (04/02/22): HOTFIX: Kairi combo fully completes and Axel AI now works against saix
-1.01 (03/31/22): uploaded correct file
-1.00 (03/31/22): initial release

Installation/FAQs:
-Download this pak, unzip the file, and put it in epic games/KH_3/KingdomHeartsIII/Content/Paks. It will sit right along all the other paks.
-A new file is required to experience all of the full changes, but most of the changes will work with a previous save file.
-This mod is featured in Light vs. Darkness, and all updates here will also be integrated into that mod (as long as they still support it). If you have Light vs. Darkness, you do not need and should not download this mod.
-If you have my old mods (better disney characters or ga donald magic), you should delete those as this will conflict.
-Mod is fully compatible with Jaster's Better Guardians of Light https://www.nexusmods.com/kingdomhearts3/mods/252. Special thanks for helping me make the transition to be compatible. Download his mod and order it before this mod for the complete effect. 



Overall Changes:

New AI Style: Sora Target.
This AI style replaces finish the job and forces the party member to target whoever the player is targeting with lock on. If the player hits an enemy, then the AI will prioritize that enemy.

Healing and Items: All AI will no longer be required to run to their target to use an item or cast cure.

All AI that can use Cure will heal outside of battle and follow the player (note: some worlds are incompatible with certain party members due to how the developers created the navmesh, usually minor instances such as baymax or marshmallow not following in most worlds).




Donald:

AI Changes:
Donald will now spam attack spells at a distance unless you change his ability style in customization. If enemies get close, he will use the hyper hammer spells. If he runs out of MP, he will charge the enemy for physical damage. Additionally, his swimming battle AI is very aggressive compared to the original game, and he will use Sea Blizzard that Sora uses.

New Abilities:
Firaga
Thundaga
Aero (modified version of base Aero)
Hyper Hammer spells

Stats:
+1 Defense
+1 Accessory slot (total 4)
+ increased spell damage
+ physical attacks have chance to apply slow

Level Up:
Level 4: Leaf Bracer
Level 8: Full MP Blast
Level 12: Second Chance
Level 16: MP Hastera
Level 20: Aero
Level 24: Magic Treasure Magnet
Level 28: Firaga
Level 32: Lucky Strike
Level 36: Thundaga
Level 40: Double Team
Level 45: MP Hastega
Level 50: Nobody Buster

Goofy:

AI Changes:
Turbo has super armor, Tornado has guard armor. Goofy will always use Discus on flying enemies only. He also attacks quicker and more frequently, and can jump higher and meteor smash enemies to the ground. For certain enemies, such as large bodies, he will make sure to target the appropriate weak side for a flank. MP gift allows him to sacrifice MP to give to other party members. Shield block now properly acts as a block instead of a reflect animation like in vanilla.

New Abilities:
MP Gift
MP Giftga

Stats:
+8 Defense
+1 Armor slot (total 4)
+increased physical damage
+increased shield block radius
+Goofy Tornado now has full suction

Level Up:
Level 3: Burn Protection
Level 6: Discharge Protection
Level 9: Goofy Turbo
Level 12: Item Boost
Level 15: MP Gift
Level 18: Cloud Protection
Level 21: Freeze Protection
Level 24: MP Giftga
Level 27: Sneeze Protection
Level 30: Top Condition
Level 33: Stun Protection
Level 36: Jackpot
Level 39: Lucky Strike
Level 42: Munny Converter
Level 45: Lucky Strike
Level 50: Heartless Buster

Hercules:
AI Changes:
Hercules back step now includes i-frames. He also is smarter with attacks, such as prioritizing Energy Burst only when he is surrounding by multiple enemies or waiting until the time is right to strike. He also has increased attack animation speeds and increases in attack frequency.

Stats:
+6 Defense

Woody:

Added Abilities:
Withstand Combo

Stats:
+5 Defense

Buzz Lightyear:

AI Changes:
Buzz starts with a laser attack from a distance then slams the enemy with a pound. If he is surrounding by multiple targets, he will use lariat to clear the area. For Large bodies, he will run behind and kick them into the air for a pound combo.

Added Abilities:
Thunder Syphon
Electric Protection
MP Hastaga

Stats:
+2 Defense

Rapunzel:

AI Changes:
Rapunzel now has access to Holy to combat flying enemies. In addition, she also wields curaga.


Added Abilities:
Second Chance
Withstand Combo
MP Converter
Hyper Healing
Harvest
Defender
Double Team
Damage Control
Curaga
Leif Veil
Holy

Stats:
+5 Defense

Flynn:

AI Changes:
Flynn now flanks the enemy and attacks from the side in almost all situations. When surrounded, he quickly brings out his barrel to clear the area. Flying enemies will be targeting from the front with his pan.

Added Abilities:
Munny Converter

Stats:
+3 Defense

Sully:

Added Abilities:
Withstand Combo

Stats:
+4 Defense

Mike:

Added Abilities:
Item Boost
Second Chance

Stats:
+3 Defense

Marshmallow:

Added abilities:
Withstand Combo
Blizzard Syphon

Stats:
+8 Defense
+Super armor

Jack Sparrow:

Added Abilities:
Withstand Combo
Second Chance
Prize Proliferator

Stats:
+3 Defense
+Increased Parry radius

Baymax:

AI Changes:
Baymax will automatically fight near whichever party member has the most enemies surrounding them, attempting to protect them by flinging other enemies out. If there is only one enemy left, then baymax will not protect anyone. He is more aggressive with attacks and his rocket punch.

Added Abilities:
Item Boost
Second Chance
Withstand Combo
MP Haste
MP Hastaga
Hyper Healing

Stats:
+5 Defense
+Super Armor

Mickey:

AI Changes:
Mickey will start with a Holy to stun his opponent, then rush in to attack. His hitbox for his combo finisher has been increased. In addition, he attacks much more frequently and has access to a dodge hop. When Mickey is alone in the party with Sora, anytime Sora uses guard while Mickey is alive, they will guard together to use barrier and then counter with barrier burst.

New Ability: Dual Guard

Riku:

AI Changes: 
Riku attacks much more frequently and uses his dodge in much smarter ways. He looks for openings in targets close to the player, and rushes in when it is safe. He additionally has access to curaga. When Riku is alone in the party with Sora, they will use Barrier together whenever Sora guards and then follow up with a counter. If both Riku and Mickey are in a party with Sora, they will use tri guard, which after 2 successful counters will automatically trigger True End as a counter attack.

New Abilities: Curaga, Dual Guard, Tri Guard

Kairi:

AI Changes:
Kairi can now target all enemies properly and fight outside her story battles. She strafes while shooting magic at her target. In addition, she can also heal outside of battle.

New Ability: Reflect

Roxas:

AI Changes:
Roxas can now target all enemies properly and fight outside his story battle. He also has access to Curaga. He attacks much quicker, has a proper aerial combo now, and can also use his X-Dash attack.

New Abilities: Curaga, X-Dash, Aerial Combo

Axel:

AI Changes:
Axel can now target all enemies properly and fight outside his story battle.

Aqua:

AI Changes:
Aqua smartly dodges attacks from enemies and projectiles. She leads her attacks with a flurry of magic, then follows up with a combo.

New Ability: Blizzard HH

Sora:

AI Changes:
Sora is much smarter than he is base game. He attacks much more frequently and knows when to dodge incoming enemy attacks. In addition, he access to more spells, such as waterga and thundara. He also can formchange into LightForm for a brief period, allowing for quicker combos and attacks. When playing as Riku, npc Sora will use Dual Guard whenever you use guard.

New Abilities: Light FormChange, Waterga, Thundara, Dual Guard (with Player Riku)



UNFINISHED:

There is still unfinished content that I need to finish, I just felt that this update (2.0) was big enough to justify sending out a new update, especially since it's been awhile. I have quite a few vanilla characters I need to finish AI for, namely Jack Sparrow, Mike, Ventus, and Xion. There are some unfinished mechanics of tri guard and true end. Additionally, I want to add Terra as a new ally, a basic command wheel to give allies commands in battle, and some party limits. I have no idea when these updates will be finished.



QAs:

Q: Is this compatible with coliseum? A: Yes.

Q: Is this compatible with my favorite mod? A: Probably to some degree, but not everything works with each other, especially level up mods. 

Q: Why is this released separately from Light vs. Darkness? A: Because LvD is hard and pretty much designed for people who have already played KH3. This mod is completely playable/fun even your first time picking up the game.

Q: My favorite keyblade warrior is still slow. Why? A: Because I haven't changed the battle AI of most of the keyblade warriors. I have completed most keyblade wielders in this latest update (2.0), and plan on finishing the rest at a later date.

Q: Will there be updates? A: Probably

Q: When and what updates? A: I want to create new AI for some more of the Disney characters at the very least. I also want to balance/add to some of the AI already made. I may also create new AI for some of the keyblade warriors if they truly need it.